Over the first 2 games of the 2021 season, Missouri has relied heavily on senior running back Tyler Badie. Don’t expect that to change in the near future, either.

In the Tigers’ season-opening win over Central Michigan, Badie had 25 carries for 203 yards and a touchdown, along with 3 receptions for 40 yards and a score. This past Saturday in a loss to Kentucky, Badie had 14 rushes for 61 yards and 10 catches for 88 yards and a touchdown.

While speaking to the media on Tuesday, Mizzou coach Eli Drinkwitz indicated that Badie will continue to be a focal point of the offense in the weeks ahead.

“I think right now with Tyler, you know, ultimately, we would like to find some other people who can share the load in the backfield. But on the road against an SEC opponent, you got to ride your horses. Coach [Bobby] Petrino used to say this at Arkansas: ‘FTS. Feed the studs.’” Drinkwitz said at his press conference. “That’s what you’ve got to do. So we’re trying to be 1-0. Whoever gives us the best chance on that play to execute at a high level is who’s going to get it right now. Tyler’s playing at a very high level, so we’re going to ride that horse.”

As Drinkwitz stated, his focus is on his team’s next game. This Saturday, Missouri hosts Southeast Missouri State.

“I don’t worry about anything else other than how do we win a game this week,” Drinkwitz said. “You start doing all that stuff — I can’t predict the future. If I could, man, I don’t know that I’d be a football coach. I’d probably be a stock person.”

Missouri will look to improve to 2-1 on Saturday at noon ET on ESPN+.