Missouri vs. Arkansas score: Tigers take huge step toward New Year's Six bowl bid with blowout rivalry win

The Tigers left no doubt, burying Arkansas under 41 unanswered points to get to 10 wins on the season

No. 9 Missouri scored the first 41 points of the game and never looked back in a dominant 48-14 win over Arkansas. It was the Tigers' 10th win of the season and all but locks up a spot in a New Year's Six bowl game for the first time in program history. 

Running back Cody Schrader came into the game as the SEC's leading rusher. He continued to pad his lead with another monster performance. The sixth-year senior transfer from Truman State finished the day with 217 yards and one touchdown -- a 2-yard plunge in the first quarter to open scoring. He notched five runs of 10 or more yards, including a long of 49 midway through the second quarter. It is the fifth-straight game Schrader has topped the 100-yard mark, tying the program record. It is the second time in three games he has rushed for 200 or more yards after he rumbled for 208 two weeks ago against Tennessee.

With the score 20-0 entering the third quarter, quarterback Brady Cook put the nail in the coffin with a pair of touchdowns to freshman tight end Brett Norfleet in an 11-second span. Norfleet's 16-yarder came with 11:43 to play in the frame after he found himself wide open over the middle. Arkansas' Isaiah Sategna fumbled the ensuing kickoff return, and Cook hit Norfleet on the next play for Norfleet's third career touchdown.

Arkansas' offense suffered a major loss midway through the first quarter when dual-threat signal-caller K.J. Jefferson was dragged down from behind and suffered a knee injury. He was helped off the field by trainers and made two trips into the injury tent. He went to the locker room at halftime and ruled out for the second half. His backup, North Carolina transfer Jacolby Criswell, stepped in for the Hogs but the game was out of reach shortly after he took his first snap.

[Nov 24, 2023 at 6:43 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

One more quarter to play

END Q3: No. 9 Missouri 41, Arkansas 0

There is one bit of good news for Arkansas, I guess. Its offense crossed midfield for the first time all game with just over one minute to play in the third quarter. However, when that's the most positive thing to write about, you know just how horrible this performance has been for the home-standing Razorbacks. Mizzou running back Cody Schrader has been the star of the show, as the SEC's leading rusher has 217 yards and one touchdown, and tied the program record with his fifth straight 100-yard game. Brady Cook has had his fair share of success too. The veteran signal-caller has one rushing touchdown and two passing touchdowns, as the Tigers' are heading straight toward their first berth in a New Year's Six Bowl.

It'll be interesting to see if Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yuarchek reconsiders his plans regarding coach Sam Pittman. Yuarchek announced Sunday that Pittman will be retained as the head coach of the Hogs, but a disastrous performance like this -- even without injured starting quarterback K.J. Jefferson -- could, in theory, change those plans. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 6:34 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Big man touchdown

5:06 Q3: No. 9 Missouri 41, Arkansas 0

Tigers' defensive lineman Jayden Jernigan, all 279 pounds of him, scooped up a fumble and rumbled 10 yards into the end zone as Missouri continued to embarrassing the home-standing Razorbacks. Chuck Hicks sacked Hogs quarterback Jacolby Criswell from the blind side and forced the fumble, which allowed Jernigan to find paydirt. The Missouri defense has only given up 59 yards to the Razorbacks on the afternoon.

[Nov 24, 2023 at 6:17 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Norfleet again!

11:32 Q3: No. 9 Missouri 34, Arkansas 0

For the second time in 11 seconds, Brady Cook found Brett Norfleet for a touchdown. This time, the 11-yard strike came Arkansas' Isaiah Sategna fumbled the kickoff return. When will the backups come in? That's about the only question that remains unanswered in this one.

[Nov 24, 2023 at 6:07 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Norfleet in for six

11:43 Q3: No. 9 Missouri 27, Arkansas 0

Brady Cook found true freshman Brett Norfleet for a 16-yard touchdown on the Tigers' first drive of the second half to turn this game sideways. Norfleet found himself wide open over the middle and Cook, who left the game for one play earlier in the drive after a hard hit, put the ball right on the money as Norfleet cruised in. It was Norfleet's second career touchdown catch.

[Nov 24, 2023 at 6:01 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson will not return

Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson will not return following an apparent left leg injury in the first quarter, CBS Sports sideline reporter Amanda Guerra reported at halftime. Jefferson was helped to the bench by trainers after suffering the injury. He went in and out of the injury tent as he tried to loosen it up but went to the locker room midway through the second quarter as Jacolby Criswell took the snaps. It'll be Criswell the rest of the way for an Arkansas team that needs an offensive spark.

[Nov 24, 2023 at 5:38 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Mizzou leads at the half

HALF: No. 9 Missouri 20, Arkansas 0

The Tigers have absolutely dominated the Razorbacks through the first half. The Tigers now sit 30 minutes away from an opportunity to seal the program's first New Year's Six bowl berth. It's been running back Cody Schrader who has absolutely stolen the show. The sixth-year senior has 192 yards and one touchdown through the first half and the school record with his fifth-consecutive 100-yard games. The former Truman State star has four runs of 14 or more yards, including a long of 49 yards that set up Harrison Mevis' second field goal of the game. 

On the other side, Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson suffered a knee injury midway through the first quarter and went to the locker room midway through the second. North Carolina transfer Jacolby Criswell has taken over for Jefferson for an Arkansas team that desperately needs an offensive boost. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 5:20 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

The Cody Schrader show continues

5:35 Q2: No. 9 Missouri 17, Arkansas 0

The star Missouri running back and Doak Walker Award semifinalist is absolutely taking over this one. Schrader ripped off runs of 14 yards and 43 yards to open the latest Missouri drive, giving him 140 yards on the season -- his eighth game with 100 or more yards on the ground this season. However, it was quarterback Brady Cook who found the end zone with a 3-yard touchdown scamper up the middle on a zone read, one play after three players were ejected for fighting. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 5:17 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

We have a brawl

Things are getting really feisty in this one. Missouri players defended quarterback Brady Cook after Cook was hit late into the Arkansas bench, setting off a few shoving match. One play later, things got very physical, punches were thrown and helmets were ripped off. After the officials calmed things down, Missouri offensive lineman Armand Membou, Arkansas defensive lineman Eric Gregory and Arkansas defensive lineman Zach Williams were all tossed.

[Nov 24, 2023 at 4:49 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Missouri leads after the first frame

END Q1: No. 9 Missouri 10, Arkansas 0

It's been all Missouri after the first quarter of the Battle Line Rivalry. Running back Cody Schrader has 68 yards and the lone touchdown of the game as the Tigers have relied heavily on the sixth-year senior transfer from Truman State. The big news, however, is the absence of Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson. He was dragged down from behind, lost the ball, and hyperextended his knee midway through the frame. He was helped off the field by trainers and hasn't returned. He has been in and out of the injury tent and appears to be lobbying for a return to the game. In the meantime, though, it's North Carolina transfer Jacolby Criswell under center for coach Sam Pittman's Hogs. Criswell is more of a shifty runner than the powerful Jefferson, so it'll be interesting to see how the offense changes with Criswell taking the snaps.

[Nov 24, 2023 at 4:37 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Missouri makes it a 10-point game

4:45 Q1: No. 9 Missouri 10, Arkansas 0

The Tigers capitalized on good field position after the Jefferson fumble and moved inside the Arkansas 10-yard line before settling for a 24-yard field goal by Harrison Mevis. Running back Cody Schrader was the focal point of the offense yet again, gaining 16 yards on four carries on the drive. Schrader now has 64 yards rushing and the one touchdown on 11 carries.

[Nov 24, 2023 at 4:29 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

KJ Jefferson fumbles, hurts knee 

The star quarterback for the Razorbacks took off up the middle on Arkansas' first play of the drive after Missouri's first score and gained 22 yards before being dragged down, fumbling and injuring his knee. Missouri recovered the fumble at the Arkansas 47-yard line as the 6-foo3, 247-pounder stayed on the ground rolling in pain. Trainers immediately tended to Jefferson, helped him off the field and into the injury tent. Jacolby Criswell, a transfer from North Carolina, stepped in for Jefferson on the next drive while Jefferson continues to try to shake off the injury. CBS Sports' Amanda Guerra reported from the sideline that Jefferson walked to the locker room with just under 10 minutes left in the second quarter.

[Nov 24, 2023 at 4:25 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Mizzou strikes first

9:12 Q1: No. 9 Missouri 7, Arkansas 0

The two teams traded punts to open the game, but the Tigers got things going on their second possession thanks in large part to star running back Cody Schrader. The sixth-year player from metro St. Louis took off down the right sideline for a 36-yard gain to get the offense set up in the red zone, and punched it in from two yards out to cap off the seven-play, 54-yard drive. It seemed like Missouri wanted to get on the perimeter on the first drive, but decided to try to punch the Razorbacks in the mouth on this one. 

[Nov 24, 2023 at 3:58 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Cody Schrader's journey

Here's a great feature on Mizzou running back Cody Schrader's journey from Truman State to the top of the SEC

[Nov 24, 2023 at 3:00 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Will Backus' prediction

Missouri shouldn't have too much trouble in this game. For starters, the Tigers should have the edge in terms of motivation. They've played with a chip on their shoulder all year, and this game matters for their postseason outlook. Arkansas is, for all intents and purposes, out of the bowl race. There's a path if the Razorbacks can win here, but it would require a lot of dominoes falling their way. Outside of that, Missouri boasts one key matchup advantage. Arkansas' rush defense gives up 145 yards per game, while the Tigers have Cody Schrader, a workhorse that might just be the best running back in the conference. Missouri should be able to wear Arkansas down and open up some big plays for breakout star quarterback Brady Cook. Pick: Missouri -7.5

[Nov 24, 2023 at 2:02 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Prediction against the spread

Click the link to see my prediction from earlier this afternoon on CBS Sports HQ. I don't see how the Razorbacks will slow down this high-octane Tigers offense, and Hawgs quarterback K.J. Jefferson will be asked to win a shootout without several of his key players. Give me Missouri 35, Arkansas 14

[Nov 24, 2023 at 2:00 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

K.J. Jefferson's last ride? 

The veteran Arkansas quarterback could come back next season, but there is no doubt that he will be a coveted player in the transfer portal based on his size and strength. Here's how our Will Backus previewed what he expects from Jefferson.

"Missouri is going to score a lot of points, and the Tigers boast one of the best defensive fronts in the SEC. One place where the Tigers have struggled a bit this year is in pass defense. They surrender an average of 233.5 yards per game through the air, which ranks eighth in the SEC. Missouri has given up 250 yards passing in seven games so far this season. That would be good news for the Razorbacks if KJ Jefferson were having the year most expected. He has shown flashes of brilliance, but inconsistency has plagued the veteran signal caller. He's failed to reach 200 yards passing in four out of Arkansas' last five games. Arkansas needs the best version of Jefferson if it wants to pull off the upset."

[Nov 24, 2023 at 1:30 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Brady Cook's impact

Missouri's star junior quarterback was actually booed during the Tigers' Week 3 game against Kansas State, which the Tigers' actually won on Harrison Mevis' 61-yard walk-off field goal. Coach Eli Drinkwitz told up on SiriusXM the following day that angered him in a big way, and he has been giving Cook plenty of chances to win the fan base over since that point. He has come through with flying colors. What better way to send this team to a double-digit win season than to give his star quarterback full discretion of the offense in a rivalry game?

[Nov 24, 2023 at 1:10 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Ty'Ron Hopper is a game-time decision

Missouri's star linebacker has been nursing an ankle injury, and coach Eli Drinkwitz suggested this week that the likelihood of him playing this afternoon is in doubt. The Tigers' second-leading tackler (55) and Butkus Award semifinalist is one of the most dangerous players in the SEC, and would likely be counted on to slow down Razorbacks quarterback K.J. Jefferson.

[Nov 24, 2023 at 1:05 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

The Pittman impact

Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek announced Sunday that coach Sam Pittman will be retained after what has been a very disappointing season. Will that energize the roster, or will that lead to a situation where the Razorbacks just want this season to be over with? I think it's the former. Pittman is almost universally loved across the college football world, and setting the 2024 season up with a win over rival Missouri will help this team in the transfer portal -- something that is necessary considering what the new-look SEC will look like next season.