No. 21 Missouri turned two fumbles – both forced by graduate student Johnny Walker Jr. – into touchdowns and Marcus Carroll ran for 90 yards and two touchdowns to spark a 28-20 victory over the Arkansas in the Battle Line Rivalry, sponsored by Shelter Insurance.
With the victory, Missouri (9-3, 5-3) retained the Battle Line Trophy for the eighth time in the last nine years – including the last three – and kept Arkansas (6-6, 3-5) winless in Columbia (0-7). On a cold and snowy day, Missouri won its 10th straight home game, completed its first 7-0 home season and posted its first back-to-back nine-win seasons since 2013-14.
The win was also head coach Eliah Drinkwitz's 37th at Mizzou – equaling Dan Devine for the most victories at Missouri for a coach in their first five seasons.
The lead changed hands five times and Arkansas held a 21-20 advantage with 4:19 to play when Ja'Quinden Jackson scored on a nine-yard touchdown run – his third of the game.
But on Missouri's next possession, quarterback Brady Cook capped a 75-yard drive, scoring untouched on a 30-yard quarterback draw with 1:53 remaining. Wide receiver Luther Burden III kept the drive alive with his first pass reception of the day, a 11-yarder over the middle on a 3rd-and-9, and also scored the two-point conversion that gave the Tigers a 28-20 lead on a pass from Cook.
Arkansas moved into Missouri territory on its final possession, but on the game's final two plays, safeties Joseph Charleston and Sidney Williams broke up passes in the end zone to preserve the victory.
Midway through the first period, Walker Jr. punched the ball free from Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green and defensive tackle Sterling Webb recovered it at the Arkansas 40-yard line. Missouri then took a 7-0 lead with a 40-yard drive on which Carroll carried five times for 24 yards including the final two for a touchdown.
Arkansas responded with a 15-play, 80-yard touchdown drive with Jackson scoring on a 2-yard run to tie the score.
The Razorbacks forced the Tigers three-and-out on the first possession of the second half, then marched 50 yards to a Jackson touchdown on a 12-yard run to the right.
Kicker Blake Craig booted a 28-yard field goal to bring the Tigers within 14-10 with 3:06 left in the third quarter. Then, on Arkansas' next play from scrimmage, Walker Jr. forced Jackson to fumble and linebacker Corey Flagg Jr. recovered the ball at the 34-yard line. Eight plays later, Carroll scored again on a one-yard run off right tackle and Mizzou took a 17-14 lead.
Soon after, wide receiver Theo Wease Jr. caught a short pass from Cook, broke a tackle and raced to the Arkansas 20-yard line where he was run out of bounds after a 70-yard gain. Three plays later, Craig booted a 34-yard field goal to increase the MU lead to 20-14.
Arkansas, though, regained the lead, 21-20, with a 12-play, 80-yard drive. On a key 4th-and-8 at the Mizzou 40, Green was nearly sacked but was able to find Andrew Armstrong for a 25-yard gain to the 15, before Jackson's third rushing score. Armstrong was the game's leading receiver with nine receptions for 128 yards.
Cook, playing in his final game on Faurot Field, completed 10-of-20 passes for 168 yards, and ran 11 times for 63 yards. Wease Jr. caught four passes for 100 yards and tight end Brett Norfleet added three receptions for 50 yards.
Green was 21-of-35 for 229 yards and rushed 14 times for 53 yards. Jackson was the 'Hogs leading rusher with 18 carries for 87 yards and three touchdowns.
Walker Jr. led Mizzou's defensive effort with 11 tackles, including 1.0 sack, 1.5 tackles for loss, one quarterback hurry and two forced fumbles. Linebacker Triston Newson also added 11 tackles.
UP NEXT
The Tigers will learn their bowl destination on Sunday, December 8.
