Live Blog: Mizzou Hosts UMass in Week 5

COLUMBIA, Mo. — It wasn’t the most encouraging performance heading into a bye week, but No. 20 Missouri grabbed a 42-6 win over UMass in Week 5 to remain undefeated.

Missouri scored 14 points in both the first and third quarters. The second touchdown in the third quarter was set up by an interception from safety Santana Banner. Two plays later, quarterback Beau Pribula connected with tight end Brett Norfleet on a nine-yard touchdown pass to put Missouri up 35-6, relieving the starters for the remainder of the game.

Missouri’s other five scores came on rushing touchdowns, with running backs Ahmad Hardy, Jamal Roberts and Tavorus Jones all contributing to the scoreboard.

Photo Gallery

Sept 27, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers defensive tackle Sterling Webb (10) celebrates after a quarterback hurry in a game against UMass at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. | Amber Winkler/MissouriOnSI

Hardy, a sophomore, continued to make his case for being one of the best running backs in the nation, rushing for 130 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries. He’s up to 730 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the season.

While the run game of Missouri’s offense has solidified itself, the Tigers haven’t quite figured things out in the passing game.

Though Pribula broke a program record for the most consecutive pass completions in a single game with 21, he was under constant pressure, and therefore, struggled to get into much of a rhythm. He was sacked four times.

Pribula also threw an interception for the third-straight game, tossing the ball right into the hands of UMass linebacker Timmy Hinspeter. The interception was returned 63 yards to Missouri’s 21-yard line, setting up the Minutemen’s sole score of the night, a two-yard pass.

Pribula ended the day completing 26 of his 29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown.

The Missouri defense continued to be dominant, forcing seven three-and-outs and holding UMass to 19 rushing yards. Banner’s interception was also Missouri’s first takeaway since Week 2.

This win was the final non-conference game of the regular season for the Tigers. Missouri will take a bye week next week before hosting No. 17 Alabama in Week 7.

How it Happened:

Final Stats

Fourth Quarter

After just one drive, Matt Zollers is replaced at quarterback with walk-on Tommy Lock.

Running back Tavorus Jones score the first touchdown of his career on a three-yard rush. Missouri 42, UMass 6.

Third Quarter

Quarterback Matt Zollers, and several other backups, are now on the field for the Missouri offense to close out the third quarter.

Two plays after the interception, Beau Pribula rolls out to his right to connect with tight end Brett Norfleet on a nine-yard touchdown pass. Missouri 35, UMass 6.

Missouri safety Santana Banner grabs his first interception of the season, taking advantage of a poor decision from UMass quarterback AJ Hairston, forced by pressure from Missouri's defense. Banner returns it to the UMass 8-yard line.

Missouri's offensive line has struggled in pass protection all night. Beau Pribula has been sacked four times. A pressure on third down led to an incompletion, causing Missouri to punt after 10 plays.

Beau Pribula broke the program record for the most consecutive pass completions, completing 21 straight.

Missouri has gotten creative tonight on blitzes, sending safety Jalen Catalon toward the quarterback on several plays. He forced a pressure on a second down, causing an incompletion into the dirt. Another incompletion on the next play brings out the UMass punt team.

Tight end Jordon Harris has yet to appear in the game. He exited last week's game against South Carolina with an apparent injury, but eventually returned against the Gamecocks. It's mostly been Vince Brown II filling in as the second tight end.

After the Missouri defense forced a three-and-out, the Tiger offense has its second three-and-out of the game.

Missouri's offense found some of its best rhythm of the game on its opening drive of the second half, taking just seven plays to drive down 63 yards, capped off by an impressive 16-yard rushing touchdown for Ahmad Hardy. Missouri 28, UMass 6.

First Half Stats

Stats from the first half of Missouri vs. UMass — Statmonitr

Second Quarter

Missouri drove down to the UMass 40 with one second remaining. The Tigers were looking for a hail mary, but Beau Pribula was quickly pressured.

The Missouri defense forces a three-and-out, bringing up another chance for its offense to put points on the board before the end of the half with :55 seconds remaining. Drive will start at Missouri's own 39-yard line.

Missouri forces a defensive stop just ahead of the two-minute timeout. Good two-minute test for the Missouri offense coming up.

Missouri's secondary continues to have issues defending the deep pass. UMass just completed a 15-yard pass to wide receiver Donnie Gray, who had plenty of separation on the sideline.

Missouri running back went with trainers to the tunnel, but is now back on the sidelines.

Missouri closes out a 14-play, 89-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown rush from Ahmad Hardy. Missouri 21, UMass 6.

💪 @Ahmadhardy29 💪 pic.twitter.com/q2ZttXI8bv
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) September 28, 2025

Missouri is going deeper in its depth chart already, with players such as running back Tavorus Jones, tighte end Vince Brown II and defensive end Langden Kitchen all seeing playing time.

First Quarter

After being evaluated in the medical tent, Marquis Gracial has returned to the Missouri sideline.

Ahmad Hardy gets in the end zone for his seventh touchdown of the season on a five-yard rush. Missouri 14, UMass 6.

Missouri defensive tackle Marquis Gracial has entered the medical tent to be evaluated for injury.

Tristan Wilson is in at right guard now for Missouri after Curtis Peagler took the first two drives. The two have been consistently rotating there since Week 3.

Ahmad Hardy has back in on this drive for Missouri after being sidelined on the last one. Takes the first carry of the drive for four yards.

UMass turns the interception into six points with a 2-yard play-action touchdown pass. UMass misses the PAT though, keeping Missouri in the lead. Missouri 7, UMass 6.

Hardy did not appear on that last drive after being banged up on a run on the one before it. He's now jogging with trainers on the sideline.

Beau Pribula throws his third interception of the third season. Like his first two interceptions, this one was a poor throw from the quarterback. UMass returns it for 63 yards to the Missouri 21-yard line.

Hardy is back on the sideline now after being evaluated in the medical tent.

Running back Ahmad Hardy waas slow to get up after his rush on the play before's Roberts' touchdown. He's now being evaluated in the medical tent.

Jamal Roberts scores his third touchdown of the season, and Missouri's first of the game on a nine-yard rush. Missouri 7, UMass 0.

20 won’t be denied 👀 @0fficialmal20 #MIZ | #STP pic.twitter.com/5T1V3bcvqW
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) September 27, 2025

Missouri has been able to get just about anything it wants to by running to the right side so far. Ahmad Hardy has 39 yrds on four carries so far, with the offensive line creating plenty of space.

Missouri forces a three-and-out on the opening drive. Cornerback Drey Norwood, who was dealing with a soft-tissue injury entering the game, did not appear on the drive. He's dressed out in uniform on the sideline though.

Missouri is back to having Oliver Robbins on kickoffs after having punter Connor Weselman drop kick it on five kicks last week.

Missouri wins the open toss and defers. UMass will have the ball first.

Pregame

Cayden Green — Joey Van Zummeren/MissouriOnSI

The Missouri men's basketball coaching staff continues on the recruiting trail. This weekend, they're hosting Brady Pettigrew, a combo guard in the class of 2028.

Brady Pettigrew — Joey Van Zummeren/MissouriOnSI

A look at Missouri's jerseys for the night.

Connor Weselman — Joey Van Zummeren/MissouriOnSI

Several Missouri football commits are in attendance for tonight, including tight end Isaac Jensen, offensive lineman Braylon Ellison and defensive end DeMarcus Johnson.

DeMarucs Johnson | Joey Van Zummeren/MissouriOnSI

Isaac Jensen | Joey Van Zummeren/MissouriOnSI

A scout from the San Francisco 49ers is in attendance.

#Mizzou is here to take on UMass for Homecoming. pic.twitter.com/A02GwKZEjd
— Missouri Tigers On SI (@MizzouSI) September 27, 2025

Injuries

Missouri

LT Cayden Green - lower body, 2-4 weeks
OL Logan Reichert - lower body, set to return midseason
QB Sam Horn - tibia, remainder of season
K Blake Craig - ACL, remainder of season

UMass

QB Brandon Rose - arm, questionable (A.J. Hairston will start)
WR T.Y. Harding - remainder of season
WR Jake McConnachie - unknown status
CB TJ Magee - unknown status
CB Ryan Barnes - out
S Jeremiah McGill - questionable
S Zeraun Daniel - questionable
S DD Snyder - hand, 6-8 weeks
S Kendall Bournes - questionable
S Keith Sarkodieh - hamstring, questionable

How to Watch: No. 23 Missouri Tigers vs. UMass Minutemen

Who: No. 23 Missouri Tigers (4-0, 1-0 SEC) vs. UMass (0-3)

What: Week 5 of the College Football season

Where: Faurot Field (62,621), Columbia, Missouri

When: Saturday, Sept. 27, 6:30 p.m.

TV: ESPNU

Radio: Tiger Radio Network: (Play-by-play Mike Kelly, Analyst Howard Richards, Sideline Chris Gervino)

SiriusXM: Home 191