Field Level Media
23 Nov 2022, 03:49 GMT+10
Missouri can secure bowl eligibility while Arkansas will try to raise its bowl profile when these Southeastern Conference rivals meet Friday in Columbia, Mo.
The Tigers (5-6, 2-5 SEC) and Razorbacks (6-5, 3-4) have dubbed this annual game the Battle Line Rivalry. A trophy will be at stake on Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium.
Missouri won five straight games in the series before Arkansas prevailed 34-17 last season.
"The only thing we're focused on is it's a rivalry game and it's trophy week," Missouri coach Eliah Drinkwitz said. "That's it. None of the other stuff matters. The most important thing to us is that they have a trophy and we want it and the only way to get it is to play our best game and to prepare the way that we know how to prepare and to play with unbelievable effort.
"That's the focus and that's why we did Senior Week last week. This week is all about rivalry week, Arkansas and the Battle Line trophy."
Missouri rolled to a 45-14 victory over New Mexico State in their previous game after suffering a 66-24 beating at Tennessee. Brady Cook continued his improved play by completing 19 of 27 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 71 yards on seven carries.
"I felt like with the way things ended against Tennessee, I thought it was really important for us to bounce back," Drinkwitz said. "Offensively, to score on our first three drives, to score on this opening series of both the first half and second half which was the first time we've done that all year ? there was real growth there to convert some big third downs and we converted the fourth down."
The Razorbacks are coming off a 42-27 upset of then-No. 14 Ole Miss. They got quarterback KJ Jefferson back from his clavicle injury and their offensive clicked back into high gear.
"Man, it's nice to have KJ back," Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said. "We weren't too clean on the first two drives, first two scoring drives, but he made us clean because of his athleticism."
Jefferson completed 17 of 22 passes for 168 yards and three touchdowns against the Rebels. He also rushed for 47 yards on eight carries.
"When you have a guy behind you like that, it builds confidence in you when you have a big runner that can physically run over people," Pittman said. "I mean, on the draw play, they all came inside, and he cut outside for 20, 30 yards. When you have a guy back there that can break tackles and make things happen, you play a little bit better, to be honest with you."
The Arkansas offense has averaged 34.9 points per game with Jefferson and just 13.5 in two games in which Jefferson has been sidelined.
On defense, the Razorbacks may be missing cornerstone linebacker Bumper Pool, who is battling hip and back injuries. Pool is second on the club with 92 tackles.
"Bumper is still Bumper and trying to hang on," Pittman said. "I don't know that he'll be able to or not. He's beat up, not healthy. We're bowl eligible. I don't know if he'll be able to play or not."
--Field Level MediaGet a daily dose of Sports Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Sports Sun.
More InformationABU DHABI, 3rd July, 2025 (WAM) -- The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and the National Basketball Association...
Washington DC [US], June 30 (ANI): Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were recently spotted spending quality time together in New York....
Washington [US], June 29 (ANI): Justin Bieber's little bundle of joy, son Jack Blues, who is just 10 months old, seems to be already...
ESPN's extensive programming surrounding the 2025 college football season kicks off with coverage of conference media days throughout...
ESPN today announced an update to its 2025 Sunday Night Baseball Presented by Capital One schedule. On July 20, the American League-leading...
Through 14 Games, ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball Viewership Up 11 Percent from Last SeasonĀ ESPN is generating its largest Sunday...
Washington DC [US], June 30 (ANI): Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were recently spotted spending quality time together in New York....
Jess Zrate La lnea defensiva de los San Francisco 49ers siempre ha sido el corazn y el alma del equipo. Con esto no queremos decir...
Stu Jackson Between now and the July 22 training camp report date at Loyola Marymount University for rookies and veterans, theRams.com...
Ahead of the 50th season in Seahawks history, were looking at the best player in team history to wear every number. John Boyle ...
Galiano takes over as special teams coordinator in seventh year with Saints New Orleans Saints Phil Galianois in his first season...
The safety became the Falcons' second player on the league's annual list. Terrin Waack FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. Atlanta Falcons safety...