Mizzou maintains hold on Battle Line Trophy, beats Arkansas 31-17

Missouri football continued its streak of domination against Arkansas Saturday with a 31-17 win over the Razorbacks in Fayetteville.

The Tigers have won four consecutive Battle Line Rivalry games and nine of their last 10 matchups against their neighbors to the south, a streak that dates back to 2016.

Eli Drinkwitz has now won five of his six games against Arkansas, his home state school, and is 1-0 after signing a six-year extension Thursday to stay in Columbia long-term.

MU relied almost entirely on the running game to generate momentum against a subpar Razorbacks defense.

Mizzou picked up 322 of its 347 total yards on the ground, and three of its four touchdowns came via the run.

Arkansas had allowed just four 100-yard rushers entering the game. The Tigers added two more to that total in Ahmad Hardy and Jamal Roberts, who both crossed the century mark while averaging over 5.5 yards per carry.

Beau Pribula recorded 78 rushing yards on 16 carries, dwarfing his passing totals. He completed 4-of-7 passes for 25 yards as MU ditched its passing attack in the second half.

All three players recorded a touchdown. But the game-sealing score came from Kevin Coleman, Jr., who took an Arkansas punt back 67 yards to put Mizzou ahead 31-17 in the fourth quarter.

The punt return was a rare bright spot for the Tigers’ special teams. Long snapper Brett Le Blanc had multiple snaps sail high, costing Mizzou an extra point and also setting the Razorbacks up with favorable field position shortly before halftime.

The error led to an Arkansas drive that ended with a 28-yard field goal by Scott Starzyk to put the Razorbacks up 17-14 entering the half.

MU’s defense limited the Razorbacks’ offense, usually one of the best in the nation, to just one offensive touchdown.

JK Jackson found O’Mega Blake in the end zone for a 16-yard strike during the first quarter to tie the game at seven. Jackson started the game for Arkansas and was switched with the team’s usual starter, Taylen Green, multiple times throughout the game.

The Tigers limited the Razorbacks by applying consistent pressure on their quarterbacks and got home for four sacks, including a key third down stop by Damon Wilson II that set up the Coleman touchdown return.

Mizzou’s most impressive score on the day, though, came courtesy of Hardy. The Doak Walker Award finalist broke through a swarm of three Arkansas defenders for a 53-yard touchdown to put MU up 20-17, and the team kept that lead for the rest of the game.

The Tigers end the regular season with an 8-4 record. Mizzou now awaits its bowl game destination.