Missouri vs. Arkansas score: Tigers take huge step toward New Year’s Six bowl bid with blowout rivalry win

No. 9 Missouri scored the first 41 points of the game and never looked back in a dominant 48-14 win over Arkansas. It was the Tigers’ 10th win of the season and all but locks up a spot in a New Year’s Six bowl game for the first time in program history. 

Running back Cody Schrader came into the game as the SEC’s leading rusher. He continued to pad his lead with another monster performance. The sixth-year senior transfer from Truman State finished the day with 217 yards and one touchdown — a 2-yard plunge in the first quarter to open scoring. He notched five runs of 10 or more yards, including a long of 49 midway through the second quarter. It is the fifth-straight game Schrader has topped the 100-yard mark, tying the program record. It is the second time in three games he has rushed for 200 or more yards after he rumbled for 208 two weeks ago against Tennessee.

With the score 20-0 entering the third quarter, quarterback Brady Cook put the nail in the coffin with a pair of touchdowns to freshman tight end Brett Norfleet in an 11-second span. Norfleet’s 16-yarder came with 11:43 to play in the frame after he found himself wide open over the middle. Arkansas’ Isaiah Sategna fumbled the ensuing kickoff return, and Cook hit Norfleet on the next play for Norfleet’s third career touchdown.

Arkansas’ offense suffered a major loss midway through the first quarter when dual-threat signal-caller K.J. Jefferson was dragged down from behind and suffered a knee injury. He was helped off the field by trainers and made two trips into the injury tent. He went to the locker room at halftime and ruled out for the second half. His backup, North Carolina transfer Jacolby Criswell, stepped in for the Hogs but the game was out of reach shortly after he took his first snap.