The 2020 Missouri Tigers football team represented the University of Missouri in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers played their home games at Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri, and competed in the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They were led by first-year head coach Eliah Drinkwitz.
In a season impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tigers compiled a 5–5 record, all in conference games. The team was set to face Iowa in the Music City Bowl, but had to withdraw due to COVID-19 issues. Missouri would face Iowa in the same bowl game four years later.
Preseason
Award watch lists Listed in the order that they were released
SEC Media Days In the preseason media poll, Missouri was predicted to finish in sixth place in the East Division.
Personnel
Staff NamePositionSeasons atMissouriAlma materEliah DrinkwitzHead coach1Arkansas Tech (2004)Charlie HarbisonAssociate head coach / defensive backs1Gardner–Webb (1982) Ryan WaltersDefensive coordinator / safeties6Colorado (2008)Erik LinkSpecial teams coordinator1Drake (2003)Brick HaleyDefensive line4Alabama A&M (1988)Bush HamdanWide receivers / quarterbacks1Boise State (2008)Casey WoodsTight ends / recruiting coordinator1Tennessee (2006)David GibbsSecondary2Colorado (1990)Marcus JohnsonOffensive line1Ole Miss (2004)Curtis LuperRunning backs1Stephen F. Austin (1996)D. J. SmithLinebackers1Appalachian State (2010)Andy LutzDirector of football operations1Pacific (1991)Zac WoodfinDirector of Athletic Performance1UAB (2004)
Roster
Schedule Missouri had games scheduled against BYU, Central Arkansas, Eastern Michigan, and Louisiana, which were all canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The game between Missouri and LSU was originally scheduled to take place in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. However, in light of Hurricane Delta, the game was moved to Columbia. The game between Vanderbilt and Missouri was originally scheduled to take place on October 17. However, due to COVID-19 management requirements in response to positive tests and subsequent quarantine of individuals within the Vanderbilt program, the game was rescheduled for December 12.Vanderbilt at Missouri Football Game Postponed The SEC postponed Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt to facilitate the rescheduling of the Vanderbilt-Missouri game. The shuffling allows for the opportunity for all 14 SEC teams to play 10 regular-season games.
Games Summaries
No. 2 Alabama
Sources:
Statistics AlabamaMissouri First downs 22 20 Total yards 414 322 Rushing yards 111 69 Passing yards 303 253 Turnovers 1 2 Time of possession 31:25 28:35 Team Category Player StatisticsAlabama Passing Mac Jones 18–24, 249 yards, 2 TDs Rushing Najee Harris 17 carries, 98 yards, 3 TDs Receiving Jaylen Waddle 8 receptions, 134 yards, 2 TDs Missouri Passing Shawn Robinson 19–25, 185 yards, 1 TD Rushing Larry Rountree III 14 carries, 67 yards Receiving Jalen Knox 5 receptions, 63 yards
At No. 21 Tennessee
No. 17 LSU
Kentucky
Statistics UKMIZ First downs 8 26 Total yards 145 421 Rushing yards 95 220 Passing yards 50 201 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 16:50 43:10 Team Category Player StatisticsKentucky Passing Terry Wilson 4/11, 38 yards, TD Rushing Chris Rodriguez Jr. 9 carries, 48 yards Receiving Josh Ali 4 receptions, 47 yards, TDMissouri Passing Connor Bazelak 21/30, 201 yards Rushing Larry Rountree III 37 carries, 126 yards, 2 TD Receiving Jalen Knox 5 receptions, 60 yards
At No. 10 Florida
At South Carolina
Statistics MIZSC First downs 19 18 Total yards 301 283 Rushes/yards 34/98 36/114 Passing yards 203 169 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 21-33-1 20-33-1 Time of possession 28:34 31:26 Team Category Player StatisticsMissouri Passing Connor Bazelak 21-33, 203 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT Rushing Larry Rountree III 21 carries, 58 yards, 1 TD Receiving Keke Chism 6 receptions, 57 yardsSouth Carolina Passing Luke Doty 14-23, 130 yards, 1 INT Rushing Luke Doty 11 carries, 59 yards Receiving Nick Muse 6 receptions, 67 yards
Vanderbilt
Statistics Statistics VANMIZ First downs 13 31 Total yards 185 603 Rushing yards 82 223 Passing yards 103 380 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 27:10 32:50 Team Category Player StatisticsVanderbilt Passing Ken Seals 11/18, 79 yards Rushing Keyon Henry-Brooks 15 rushes, 64 yards Receiving Camron Johnson 5 receptions, 33 yardsMissouri Passing Connor Bazelak 30/37, 318 yards Rushing Larry Rountree III 21 rushes, 160 yards, 3 TD Receiving Tyler Badie 7 receptions, 102 yards
Arkansas
No. 9 Georgia
At Mississippi State
Statistics Statistics MIZMSST First downs 22 24 Total yards 342 446 Rushing yards 101 151 Passing yards 241 295 Turnovers 4 3 Time of possession 28:57 31:03 Team Category Player StatisticsMissouri Passing Connor Bazelak 22–38, 225 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT Rushing Larry Rountree III 25 rushes, 121 yards, 2 TD Receiving Keke Chism 6 receptions, 64 yards, TDMississippi State Passing Will Rogers 21–36, 295 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing Jo'Quavious Marks 12 rushes, 70 yards, TD Receiving Jaden Walley 5 receptions, 129 yards, TD
Rankings
Players drafted into the NFL
2 58 Nick Bolton ILB Kansas City Chiefs 4 143 Tyree Gillespie S Las Vegas Raiders 5 151 Larry Borom OT Chicago Bears 6 188 Joshuah Bledsoe S New England Patriots 6 198 Larry Rountree III RB Los Angeles Chargers
References