Photos: Missouri Tigers roar in season opener, crushing Murray State 51-0
The No. 11 Missouri Tigers opened their 2024 football season in primetime, crushing Murray State 51-0 on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Faurot Field. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Missouri Tigers quarterback Brady Cook (12) high-fives students after the Tigers crushed Murray State 51-0 on Thursday, August 29, at Faurot Field. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Mizzou cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. returns an interception 25 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter of a game against Murray State on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Faurot Field.
Missouri Tigers linebacker Khalil Jacobs (29) sacks Murray State Racers quarterback Jayden Johannsen (7) in first quarter action during the Tigers 2024 season opener on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Faurot Field.
Mizzou linebacker Khalil Jacobs (29) celebrates a sacking Murray State Racers quarterback Jayden Johannsen (7) in the first quarter action in the Tigers’ season opener on Thursday, Aug. 29, at Faurot Field.
Missouri Tigers quarterback Brady Cook (12) celebrates running in a three-yard touchdown with wide receiver Marquis Johnson (2) in second quarter action during the Tigers 2024 season opener against Murray State on Thursday, August 29, at Faurot Field. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Missouri Tigers wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) escapes a tackle by Murray State Racers linebacker James Camden (5) to score a 16-yard touchdown in first quarter action during the Tigers 2024 season opener on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Faurot Field. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Missouri Tigers running back Jamal Roberts (20) celebrates his two-yard touchdown against Murray State on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Faurot Field. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Mizzou wide receiver Luther Burden III lifts his hands toward the sky before the start of the season opener against Murray State on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Faurot Field.
New Missouri cornerback Toriano Pride Jr., right, an East ºüÀêÊÓƵ High product, celebrates his 25-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter of No. 11 Mizzou’s regular-season opener against Murray State on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, on Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo. For full coverage of Thursday’s game, which was not complete by press time, point your smartphone camera at the QR code, then tap the link
Mizzou running back Marcus Carroll (9) breaks a tackle by Murray State linebacker Tyson Meiguez (1) in the second quarter of the Tigers’ season opener on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Faurot Field.
Missouri Tigers wide receiver Daniel Blood (16) eludes a tackle from Murray State Racers linebackers Justice Cross (7) and Tyson Meiguez (1) in fourth quarter action during the Tigers 2024 season opener on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Faurot Field. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Mizzou quarterback Brady Cook throws a pass during the second quarter against Murray State on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Faurot Field.
Missouri football coach Eli Drinkwitz celebrates after his team tackled a Murray State player in the first quarter of the Tigers’ season-opening 51-0 victory on Thursday, August 29, 2024, in Columbia, Mo.
Missouri Tigers quarterback Brady Cook (12) celebrates running in a three-yard touchdown in second quarter action during the Tigers 2023 season opener against Murray State on Thursday, August 29, 2024,at Faurot Field. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Mizzou quarterback Brady Cook runs for 18 yards past Murray State defensive lineman Vincent Dinkins (93) during the second quarter Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Faurot Field.
Missouri Tigers safety Marvin Burks Jr. and cornerback Nicholas Deloach Jr. (24) tackle Murray State Racers running back Kywon Morgan (6) during second quarter action on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at Faurot Field.Â
Missouri Tigers cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. (2) intercepts a pass and eludes a tackle from Murray State Racers wide receiver JK Carter (2) to run for a 25-yard touchdown in first quarter action during the Tigers 2024 season opener on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Faurot Field. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Mizzou running back Marcus Carroll (9) celebrates his one-yard touchdown run in the first quarter against Murray State on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Faurot Field.
Missouri Tigers wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) escapes a tackle by Murray State Racers linebacker James Camden (5) to score a 16-yard touchdown in first quarter action during the Tigers 2024 season opener on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Faurot Field. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Kaden Harmon donns his Tiger head sitting in the student section during play introductions before the start of Missouri Tigers 2024 season opener against Murray State on Thursday, August 29, 2024,at Faurot Field. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Fireworks and fire erupt as the Missouri Tigers take to the field during the 2024 season opener on Thursday, August 29, 2004 at Faurot Field. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Kaden Harmon donns his Tiger head sitting in the student section during play introductions before the start of Missouri Tigers 2024 season opener against Murray State on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Faurot Field. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz waves to fans during the “Tiger Walk†before the team’s season opener against Murray State on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo.
Missouri Tigers quarterback Brady Cook (12) arrives for the annual Tiger Walk with his team before the season opener against Murray State on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Faurot Field. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Missouri Tigers wide receiver Marquis Johnson (2) celebrates the Tigers 51-0 win against Murray State on Thursday, August 29, at Faurot Field. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Missouri Tigers offensive lineman Cam'Ron Johnson (74) stops to visit with family during the Tiger Walk before the season opener against Murray State on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Faurot Field. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Laurie Skrivan
Photographer
Missouri scored 21 points in its fastest-ever fashion to begin the 2024 season in strong form.
Experience matters, and Eli Drinkwitz entering his fifth season at Mizzou should have an advantage against six coaches brand new to their programs.
First impressions matter, and new Mizzou defensive coordinator Corey Batoon just made a great oneÂ
"Really proud of those guys for setting the standard," Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said. "But like I told them in the locker room, this is just the start."
Missouri played a lot — as in, a lot — of players in its season-opener. Find out who played how much.