Mizzou’s 34-10 win over Arkansas gave the Tigers another Battle Line trophy, another cigar celebration and a fifth straight victory in the rivalry. It also came with the same old issues that have followed Missouri around all season.
The Tigers improved to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the Southeastern Conference, but the first half in Fayetteville looked far less clean than the final margin suggested. Missouri led 13-7 at halftime, though that advantage was helped by a defensive touchdown that came after Arkansas center Caden Kitler’s bad snap rolled toward the end zone. Without that gift, the Tigers would have been trailing by one.
Missouri’s only non-defensive points before halftime came on Blake Craig field goals from 31 and 53 yards. Even with the lead, the Tigers were only ahead by 55 yards in total offense at the break and had converted just two of nine third-down chances. Arkansas also closed the half with a score of its own, as KJ Jackson connected with Antonio Jordan for 37 yards to get the Razorbacks into the red zone before Jackson finished the drive with a touchdown.
The second half looked much more like Missouri wanted it to. The Tigers opened the period by stretching the lead to 20 points, finishing an eight-play, 75-yard drive with a 46-yard completion to Cayden Lee and then an 11-yard touchdown catch by Donovan Olugbode, both from Austin Simmons.
“Really just starting fast - it's always been the mindset with us as an offense, of course, and really just making sure that we keep on just taking that momentum,” Simmons said of the second-half start.
Missouri’s backfield had a big day, too. Ahmad Hardy made his return to the field for the first time since the Dec.
27 Gator Bowl to close the Tigers’ 2025 season. He had practiced in the spring, but a gunshot wound on May 10 sidelined him for Missouri’s first seven games of the 2026 season.
Hardy finished with two carries for 5 yards and one first down.
"I'm really, really proud of Ahmad Hardy,” Drinkwitz said. “It's been a long road to get back here.
It's been a very difficult challenge for everybody. (I) want to thank our doctors and our trainers and our strength staff and athletic performance team, but really proud of Ahmad.
You can tell he's still facing, trying to get back used to it. But to be able to come in there and get us a big first down, I was really proud of him."
Jamal Roberts kept rolling, going over 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career. He ran for 138 yards on 23 carries, scored once on the ground and added another touchdown as a receiver.
True freshman Preston Hatfield also flashed, picking up 49 yards on three carries, highlighted by a 37-yard run in the fourth quarter. Drinkwitz said Hatfield could work his way into the rotation going forward.
“Pretty fired up about that one,” Drinkwitz said. “That's a good.
That's a goldmine. Don't be tampering out there, guys.”
The penalties, though, kept dragging Missouri back. The Tigers were flagged nine times for 80 yards, and eight of those penalties came on offense. Luke Work was hit with a false start on third-and-9 in the first quarter and later drew unnecessary roughness on second-and-14 in the second quarter.
“That's a self-control penalty,” Drinkwitz said. “That's uncalled for.
That can't happen. He's got too many of those this season.
That's something he's going to have to figure out, because he can't penalize us like that.”
Naeshaun Montgomery also committed a false start on third-and-13 in the second quarter, while Caleb Goodie was called for holding on third-and-17 in the same period.
“Offensively, we were just continually (stubbing) our toe with penalties, and we got to get that cleaned up,” Drinkwitz said.
In Other News...
Mizzou Fans Got One More Reason To Celebrate This Arkansas Win
Missouris 34-10 win over Arkansas gave Tigers fans plenty to enjoy beyond another comfortable finish in the rivalry. The victory marked a fifth straight against the Razorbacks and pushed Missouri into bowl eligibility, with the second half offering the kind of control that has defined this stretch of success.
Austin Simmons threw two touchdown passes after halftime, Jamal Roberts powered the ground game with 138 rushing yards and two scores, and the Tigers kept building momentum when they needed it most. There was also a welcome sight on the field in Ahmad Hardys return after recovering from a gunshot wound, as the All-American tailback got back into action and added two carries for five yards. [Read more 🡒]
Mizzous Arkansas Win Came With One Lingering Concern
Missouris 34-10 win over Arkansas gave the Tigers plenty to feel good about, especially on a day when the defense set the tone by forcing four turnovers and keeping the Razorbacks from finding much rhythm. The result pushed Mizzou to its sixth victory of the season and offered another reminder that this team can still win comfortably even when the offense is not firing on all cylinders.
The concern, though, is the same one that has lingered at times this fall: finishing drives. Missouri left some points on the table with red zone struggles, a flaw that could matter more in tighter games down the stretch. Ahmad Hardy made a limited return after missing time with injury, while Jamal Roberts handled the primary running back role effectively, giving the Tigers a little more clarity in the backfield even as the offense works to clean up the details. [Read more 🡒]
Mizzou Heads To Arkansas With Its Road Woes And Star Back In Focus
Rain is in the forecast for Missouris trip to Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, and the Tigers are walking into a game that already carries plenty of weight. They are still searching for their first SEC road win since 2025, and the setting only adds to the challenge against an Arkansas team that has found some recent momentum in conference play.
The bigger Missouri storyline, though, is the return of All-American running back Ahmad Hardy, who is set to make his season debut after recovering from a gunshot wound. He will not start, but his presence gives the Tigers another layer of intrigue as they try to steady a road stretch that has been hard to solve and see how quickly their top back can fit back into the mix. [Read more 🡒]