No. 14 Missouri Runs Over No. 13 Tennessee 36-7
The No. 14 Missouri Tigers took down the No. 13 Tennessee Volunteers 36-7 in the first-ever inter-top-15 game between the SEC rivals. Missouri running back Cody Schrader led the way by becoming the first player in SEC history to record over 200 yards rushing and 100 receiving.
Schrader went into the matchup as the SEC's rushing yards leader, but his first big play against Tennessee came on a 38-yard catch. The early dose of momentum made it seem like the Tigers would start the day off with a score. However, quarterback Brady Cook threw an interception on his second throw.
Missouri made several big plays in the first half, but only scored one touchdown and settled for two field goals. In fact, the Tigers second offensive drive was its longest of the season, but after 20 plays and nearly 11 minutes chewed by Schrader and company, three points by kicker Harrison Mevis was all they had to show for it.
Tennessee came into this game with one of the premier rushing attacks in the FBS, as the Volunteers finished just two contests with under 200 rushing yards--both losses. The Tigers offense did an excellent job of keeping those running backs off the field in the first half, as they doubled Tennessee in time of possession. The defense was crucial in achieving this feat as well, as they allowed just 35 rushing yards in the first 30 minutes.
Schrader's 37-yard catch was his longest of the season, but midway through the second quarter he hauled in another one for 43. An explosive catch by wide receiver Mekhi Miller set Schrader up for a seven-yard score just two minutes after Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III launched a 46-yard touchdown pass to Dont'e Thornton Jr.
With 20 seconds remaining in the half, Missouri defensive back Kris Abrams-Draine forced Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright to fumble the ball and linebacker Chuck Hicks recovered. Schrader continued to dominate with a 35-yard run that led to a 46-yard field goal as time expired. The Truman State transfer finished the first half with 105 rushing yards and 93 receiving yards.
Cook opened up the second half with a 48-yard connection with Marquis Johnson and Schrader ran 29 yards (on four carries) closer to the endzone. It was now the quarterback's turn to run one in after a fake pitch that fooled everyone on the Volunteer defense.
Cook and Schrader yet again took advantage of a Tennessee punt after the quarterback scrambled for a 17-yard run. They clicked through the air a few plays later for a 23-yard gain, but couldn't reach the endzone and settled for a third field goal to make the score 22-7.
A couple of drives later, Cook found wide receiver Luther Burden for a 21-yard touchdown. The drive was set up by a fumble by Milton, followed by even more explosive runs by Schrader.
With basically all hope lost, Milton threw an interception to Daylen Carnell who returned it for a six. The defense as a whole held Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel to his lowest point total since he took over in 2021.
It was a truly dominant showing on both sides of the ball in Columbia, Mo.
