Live Blog: Mizzou Hosts Ragin' Cajuns in Week 3

COLUMBIA, Mo. — The No.-25-ranked Missouri Tigers have been on a roll to begin the 2025 season, starting the year undefeated.

After dismantling Central Arkansas in Week 1 and overcoming Kansas in a thrilling Border War game in Week 2, the Tigers hosted the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns in Week 3.

In a game that mirrored Week 1, Missouri was in full command throughout. Under a bright sun and in blistering heat, the Tigers won 52-10 on Saturday at Faurot Field.

Quarterback Beau Pribula and running back Ahmad Hardy showed they could handle the heat, headlining the offense with big performances.

Hardy in particular stole the show, rushing for 250 yards and three touchdowns. It was a career-high in rushing yards for the sophomore.

The first quarter was very clean for the Tigers. They didn’t pick up a single penalty and scored two touchdowns to grab a 14-0 lead. The strong performance early set the tone for the remainder of the game.

Missouri picked up its first penalty of the game when cornerback Stephen Hall was flagged for pass interference. That gave Louisiana its first first down of the game. The Cajuns also capitalized on an interception by Pribula. They hit a short field goal of 34 yards to trail 28-3.

Louisiana's offense, led by an evasive running back duo of Bill Davis and Zylan Perry, struggled to get going. The Cajuns’ best play of the day was Perry’s 84-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter.

Even with that score, Missouri maintained a comfortable 35-10 lead. The Cajuns faced a tremendous uphill battle, and it proved too difficult to execute a comeback.

The Tigers’ defense was largely responsible for the Cajuns’ woes. Missouri held strong for most of the game. The unit ended the game with four three-and-outs and limited Louisiana to 4 receiving yards and 117 rushing yards.

It wasn’t a perfect performance for the Tigers. Freshman kicker Robert Meyer missed his second try, granted it would have been a career-long 41-yard make. Missouri also fumbled the ball twice, but it recovered both of them.

The Tigers will look to take the momentum from the win into their Week 4 matchup with South Carolina, which is also their Southeastern Conference opener. The No. 11 Gamecocks will be Missouri’s toughest test yet. The two teams will square off at either 6 or 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20 in Columbia.

For a live look at the field, visit the photo gallery.

Final stats

Fourth Quarter

The temperature around 3 p.m. CT, when the game was originally slated to start, is 94 degrees.

After a long drive, the Tigers score another touchdown. It was Davis with the 2-yard rush up the middle. Missouri is in front 52-10.

With several starters pulled, freshman Marquise Davis is getting some solid reps. Fellow freshman running back Brendon Haygood is also taking carries.

Third Quarter

Meyer misses his second field goal attempt of the game. The kick was 41 yards out, and that would have been his career long.

Pribula's day is done. The Tigers pulled him for freshman Matt Zollers.

In an unsurprising development, Hardy rushes for another touchdown, his third of the day. Missouri holds a 45-10 lead.

With a 20-yard run, Hardy hits a career high. He's been a weapon for the Tigers all day, and it looks like they will continue to utilize him.

Halftime stats

Second Quarter

Kickoff at halftime was 96 degrees.

In the final seconds of the quarter, Missouri adds some more points to the board. Freshman kicker Robert Meyer chips in a 22-yard field goal, a good way to end the second and regain the momentum after the Cajuns' touchdown.

The Cajuns finally find a spark on offense. Running back Zylan Perry breaks loose for an 84-yard touchdown run. Missouri is in front 35-10.

Hardy with another explosive touchdown run. He breaks free from the defense and is off to the races. Missouri extends the lead to 35-3. Another notable shift at the right guard position: Wilson came back in for Peagler.

Pribula makes his first costly mistake of the game. He throws an interception, giving the Cajuns ideal field position. Louisiana couldn't capitalize with a touchdown, but it cashed in with a field goal to cut the deficit to 28-3.

Missouri faced a third-and-17, and Louisiana picked up an offsides penalty. The Cajuns can't seem to get out of their own way.

Peagler is back in the game for the Tigers.

Pribula passes to the right, and it goes 39 yards to running back Jamal Roberts. Missouri's offense is electric, and it doesn't look like the Cajuns have any answers. The Tigers are in control 28-0.

🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/SJdEXOsKgv
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) September 13, 2025

Louisiana redshirt junior safety Maurion Eleam sustained a gruesome injury. Play is temporarily halted as a stretcher is out for Eleam.

Louisiana converts its first first down off a Missouri penalty. Cornerback Stephen Hall was called for pass interference.

Tristan Wilson was substituted in for Curtis Peagler at right guard on the last drive.

Missouri opens the second with a quick touchdown at 14:18. Quarterback Beau Pribula kept it himself for a 21-0 lead.

First Quarter

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Lunch Winfield enters the game for Louisiana.

In a wild turn of events, it is determined that Johnson had firm possession when the ball crossed the plane. The Tigers stared a potential tied game in the face, but instead, it is a 14-point swing. Missouri leads 14-0.

Disaster strikes for the Tigers. Wide receiver Marquis Johnson made a catch and ran to the goal line before fumbling. The Cajuns recovered the fumble and took it the other way for a touchdown. The play is under review.

It's Hardy with Missouri's first touchdown. His 7-yard rush gives the Tigers a 7-0 lead. Missouri is finding success on the ground so far, with eight rushes on the drive.

Following a three-and-out, the Tigers get to work on offense. Running back Ahmad Hardy takes three carries in a row for 32 yards. Hardy transferred from Louisiana-Monroe, a big rival to Louisiana, so the Cajuns know him well.

Missouri won the coin toss and elected to defer. Louisiana is starting on offense.

Pre Game:

At 11:35 a.m., the stands were nowhere near full. It was a sold-out game, but the fans were sparse, perhaps due to the heat.

30 minutes to kickoff, stands are pretty empty for #Mizzou pic.twitter.com/QMyQc2xavc
— Joey Van Zummeren (@JoeyVZ_) September 13, 2025

The temperature pregame is 88 degrees and feels like 92, according to the Weather App. Per reports, the on-field temperature is around 110.

#Mizzou arrives to Memorial Stadium before Week 3. pic.twitter.com/XQ9AdW3Lrq
— Missouri Tigers On SI (@MizzouSI) September 13, 2025

Injuries

Missouri quarterback Sam Horn, kicker Blake Craig, and offensive lineman Logan Reichert will not play. Horn and Craig are out for the season, and Reichert is expected to miss the first 6-8 weeks of the season.
Louisiana quarterback Walker Howard is out with an injury, meaning redshirt freshman quarterback Daniel Beale will get the start.

TV and Radio Information

TV: SECN+/ESPN+

Radio: Home 191

Sirius XM: Tiger Radio Network (Play-By-Play: Mike Kelly, Color: Howard Richards, Sideline: Chris Gervino)