Mizzou Sweeps the State of Tennessee with a win over the Volunteers

Caleb Stallo

Nov 11, 2023

COLUMBIA, Mo – The Missouri Tigers continued their impressive run at home, securing a decisive 36-7 victory over Tennessee. This win marked the completion of a successful series against Tennessee-based teams, with earlier victories over Middle Tennessee State, Memphis, Vanderbilt, and the Tennessee Volunteers. The Tigers’ defense showcased its prowess by limiting Tennessee’s run offense, which was noted for its strength, to 83 yards, contributing to a defensive effort that held the Volunteers to 350 total yards.

In a game that started with an early interception by quarterback Brady Cook, the Tigers displayed resilience by quickly regaining possession. Kicker Harrison Mevis opened the scoring for Mizzou with a 31-yard field goal. Although Tennessee scored its only points on a 46-yard touchdown pass, the Tigers' offense, led by standout running back Cody Schrader, continued to dominate. Schrader scored his first touchdown of the night on a seven-yard rush. The defense played a pivotal role in the first half, forcing a crucial fumble with 20 seconds left, which allowed the Tigers to extend their lead with another field goal before halftime.

The second half belonged entirely to Missouri. Cook showcased his dual-threat ability by rushing into the end zone, followed by another field goal by Mevis, adding three more points to the lead. The Tigers’ defense maintained its dominance, repeatedly thwarting the Volunteers’ offensive efforts. Luther Burden further extended Missouri’s lead with a touchdown reception. As Tennessee entered hurry-up mode, Daylan Carnell made a critical interception, returning it for a touchdown and effectively sealing the game.

The standout of the game was Schrader, who demonstrated why he is considered among the top running backs in the SEC. Schrader racked up 207 rushing yards and 116 receiving yards, becoming the first player in SEC history to achieve 200 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards in a single game. Remarkably, Schrader rose from being a walk-on player at Truman State, a Division II school, just two years ago.

With this victory, Mizzou improved to 8-2 and looked forward to its upcoming matchup against Florida at Memorial Stadium. The game will be the Tigers’ last home game of the season, and the team is poised to maintain its momentum and finish the season on a high note.