Mizzou RB Nate Noel dives into the end zone for a two-point conversion during last week’s win over Boston College. (Photo: Terrance Williams)
Mizzou Football – Gameday Info
Game No. 4 – Vanderbilt Commodores (2-1) at #7 Missouri Tigers (3-0)
Date/Time – September 21, 2024 – 3:15 pm
Location – Faurot Field — Columbia, MO
Watch – SEC Network
Listen — Learfield Sports/KTRS 550 AM
Live Stats – Mizzou Stat Broadcast
COLUMBIA, MO — After opening the 2024 season with three straight non-conference games, the University of Missouri football team will begin Southeastern Conference play with a home game against Vanderbilt. The Commodores are 2-1 so far this year, with wins over Virginia Tech and Alcorn State, and a surprising loss last week to Georgia State.
Missouri and Vanderbilt played in the SEC opener last year as well, with Mizzou going down to Nashville to get a 38-21 win.
The No. 7-ranked Tigers will head into Saturday with a 3-0 record, after shutting out Murray State and Buffalo, and rallying from a 14-3 second quarter deficit to knock off then-No. 24 Boston College, 27-21.
Despite giving up a few big plays in the passing game, Mizzou’s defense was stout against the run. It held the previously strong BC rushing attack to just 49 yards. The Tigers also picked off two passes and sacked BC’s quarterback twice to help turn the game around.
Dating back to last season, Mizzou has now won seven straight games, which is the longest current win streak of any team at the NCAA FBS level. The Tigers are 11-4-1 all-time against the Commodores and have won four straight.
Vanderbilt trailed much of the game against Georgia State, but scored two late touchdowns to take the lead with a little over a minute to go. The Commodore defense couldn’t hold the edge though, and gave up a touchdown with 15 seconds left that proved to be the game-winner for the Panthers.
Mizzou WRs Luther Burden (3) and Theo Wease (1) celebrate Burden’s touchdown in last week’s win over Boston College. (Photo: Terrance Williams)
Players to Watch: The Tigers will continue to be led by their big play offense. Quarterback Brady Cook threw for 264 yards and had a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown last week.
Receiver Luther Burden III had his biggest game of the season last week. The native St. Louisan had six catches for 117 yards and a touchdown.
Running back Nate Noel carried the ball 22 times for 121 yards, while backfield mate Marcus Carroll had 57 yards on 12 carries.
On defense, Mizzou was led by linebackers Corey Flagg, Chuck Hicks, and Triston Newson, who combined for 13 tackles (two of them for loss), a quarterback sack, and a pass breakup.
Corners Tre’Vez Johnson and Dreyden Norwood had interceptions, while linebacker Khalil Jacobs posted his team-leading second sack of the season.
Mizzou LB Khalil Jacobs pulls down Boston College QB Thomas Castellanos for a sack during last Saturday’s NCAA Football game at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. (Photo: Terrance Williams)
Vandy is led by shifty, dual-threat quarterback Diego Pavia. Last week against Georgia State, he threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns, and also ran the ball 15 times for 40 yards.
For the season, Pavia has thrown for 543 yards and four touchdowns, while also being Vandy’s top rusher with 195 yards and two more touchdowns.
Tight end ELi Stowers is Vandy’s top receiver. He has 12 catches for 163 yards and a touchdown this year. And running back Sedrick Alexander is the main ballcarrier with 140 yards and three touchdowns.
On defense, the Commodores’ biggest playmakers are their safeties, C.J. Taylor and De’Rickey Wright. Taylor had 13 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and an interception, but he will have to sit out the first half due to receiving a targeting penalty in the second half last week.
When Missouri Has the Ball
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When Vanderbilt Has the Ball
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Up Next: Mizzou will off next week before beginning October with two straight road games.
First, the Tigers will be in College Station to take on Texas A&M on October 5. Then, they’ll head back east for a non-conference game against UMass on October 12.
Mizzou’s next home game will be on October 19 against Auburn.
MISSOURI TIGERS 2024 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
| Date | Time | At | Opponent | Location | TV | Radio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 21, 2024 (Saturday) | 3:15 PM | Home | Vanderbilt | Columbia, Mo. / Faurot Field |  | Tiger Radio Network |
| October 5, 2024 (Saturday) | 11 AM | Away | Texas A&M | College Station, Texas | Tiger Radio Network | |
| October 12, 2024 (Saturday) | TBA | Away | UMass | Amherst, Mass. | Tiger Radio Network | |
| October 19, 2024 (Saturday) | TBA | Home | Auburn | Columbia, Mo. / Faurot Field | Tiger Radio Network | |
| October 26, 2024 (Saturday) | TBA | Away | #4 Alabama | Tuscaloosa, Ala. | Tiger Radio Network | |
| November 9, 2024 (Saturday) | TBA | Home | #15 Oklahoma | Columbia, Mo. / Faurot Field | Tiger Radio Network | |
| November 16, 2024 (Saturday) | TBA | Away | South Carolina | Columbia, S.C. | Tiger Radio Network | |
| November 23, 2024 (Saturday) | TBA | Away | Mississippi State | Starkville, Miss. | Tiger Radio Network | |
| November 30, 2024 (Saturday) | TBA | Home | Arkansas | Columbia, Mo. / Faurot Field | Tiger Radio Network |