Missouri’s season is probably over following a 28-3 loss to Arkansas, its worst defeat since a 42-13 loss to Alabama in last year’s SEC Championship Game. The Tigers fell to 5-7, but are being talked about as a potential recipient of a bowl bid if all the spots can’t be filled with six-win teams.

Coach Gary Pinkel, who is retiring, has stated he does not wish to coach a bowl game, if the Tigers are invited. Pinkel, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma earlier in the year, compiled a 118-73 record in 15 seasons as Missouri’s head coach.

5 TAKEAWAYS

  • So much for that favorable matchup: Arkansas, ranked No. 93 in total defense, might have looked like the perfect  opportunity for the Tigers offense to get out of its season-long funk. But the Razorbacks’ low rankings didn’t matter, as the Tigers finished with only 83 yards of passing and just 88 yards on the ground.
  • A dubious record: Corey Fatony owns a new school with 81 punts in a single season. It’s been that kind of year in Columbia.
  • Ball Hogs: When it came to time of possession, Arkansas wasn’t in the mood for sharing, holding onto the football for 40:15 compared to just 19:45 for Missouri. The Tigers could not sustain a drive, and the Razorbacks worked the clock.
  • A quarter to forget: In the third quarter, Missouri had two consecutive drives last a total of 72 seconds. That’s barely enough time for the defensive players to finish a cup of Gatorade.
  • Thank goodness for the Gamecocks: If not for 3-8 South Carolina, Missouri’s only SEC win, the Tigers’ 2015 season would truly be described as going from first (2014 SEC East champions) to worst in the division.

REPORT CARD

Offense: (F) – Arkansas isn’t exactly a defensive powerhouse, having allowed 6.3 yards per play in its first 11 games. The Tigers, however, could not move the ball on the ground or in the air, gaining a total of 171 yards on 52 plays.

Defense: (C) – The Tigers held a high-powered Arkansas offense that regularly scores 50-plus to only 28 points. A 14-point second quarter for the Razorbacks effectively put the game out of reach for Missouri’s struggling offense.

Special Teams: (B) – On a punt-heavy day, the Tigers at least kept the Razorbacks pinned back. Arkansas started only one drive in Missouri territory.

Coaching: (C) – The coaches have clearly tried everything they can think of to get the Mizzou offense going. Arkansas’ offense was slowed down, but not enough.

Overall: (D) – The Tigers were unable to contain Arkansas RB Alex Collins (30 carries, 130 yards, 3 TD), and couldn’t score to keep up.

GAME PLAN

Missouri’s strategy of passing in hopes of hitting a big play did not work, as QB Drew Lock went 9-for-27 for 83 yards. MU tried four different ballcarriers, but the average running play went for 3.5 yards with a long of 17 yards. The Arkansas passing game was mostly taken away – the red-hot Brandon Allen threw for only 102 yards on 17 attempts –  but Collins had no trouble toting the rock on a cold, rainy day.

GAME BALLS

  • HC Gary Pinkel: It wasn’t the result he hoped for, but Pinkel should get a game ball to commemorate the end of his brilliant 15-season stint at Missouri.
  • LB Kentrell Brothers: Brothers had 12 tackles, giving him a season total of 152, best for fourth all-time at Missouri.

INJURY UPDATE

  • QB Drew Lock has a tweaked shoulder that he said does not affect his delivery, but makes warming up difficult.