Worst loss of the year a fitting end to Missouri’s disappointing season

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.

Andrew Olson

Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.