Missouri’s defense last allowed a point Dec. 29, 2023 — when Ohio State kicker Jayden Fielding split the uprights from 47 yards out, giving the Buckeyes a 3-0 lead in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.
Nearly eight months after that kick, the Tigers have yet to allow a point since. Mizzou’s defense, which held Ohio State scoreless for the remaining three quarters of the game, continued its record-breaking start to the season by shutting out its second consecutive opponent in a 38-0 victory against Buffalo on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.
“It doesn’t surprise me,” quarterback Brady Cook said. “I went against them for however many days in fall camp. They’ll suffocate you. They don’t give up much.”
Behind the hot defensive start, the Tigers managed to match a pair of records in the process. The shutout marked the first time Missouri’s defense has shut out its opponent in back-to-back games since 1966, when it held Kansas State and Oklahoma State scoreless in two straight games. It also represented the first time since 1935 that the Tigers shut out back-to-back opponents to open the season.
For a Missouri defense that replaced its defensive coordinator and several key starters this offseason, it is difficult to imagine the group getting off to a better start. In Week 1, first-year Tigers defensive coordinator Corey Batoon’s unit held Murray State to zero points and less than 100 yards of total offense while also forcing two turnovers.
The unit picked up right where it left off Saturday, replicating the effort with another shutout and adding to its tally with one more forced turnover.
“We’ve got a lot of depth, a lot of consistency and a lot of guys holding each other to a standard,” coach Eli Drinkwitz said. “When you can just send waves of players who are continually fresh, I think that’s hard on an offense.”
Missouri’s lone takeaway came in the first quarter, when the Bulls’ duo of quarterback CJ Ogbonna and wide receiver JJ Jenkins were not on the same page, resulting in an errant throw that fell right into the hands of sophomore safety Marvin Burks Jr.
“(Jenkins) was his main guy,” Burks Jr. said. “I kind of saw them looking at each other a little bit pre-snap, and I just made a great play.”
The interception was the first of Burks’ young collegiate career.
“Marvin, in particular, I think it’s his number change,” wide receiver Theo Wease said. “I think him getting back in (No.) 1, he’s got a little more swag to him.”
Throughout the contest, Buffalo ran a run-heavy, option-focused offense. That is a look that Missouri’s defense will see a lot over the coming weeks when it faces the likes of Boston College and Vanderbilt, both of which feature dual-threat quarterbacks.
It can oftentimes be a challenging playbook to defend, but the Tigers’ defense shut it down. The same Buffalo offense that racked up 403 total yards and 208 rushing yards in its opening-week win mustered limited success against Missouri’s front seven. The Tigers held the Bulls to just 169 total yards and 114 rushing yards.
“Shoutout Death Row,” Wease said. “I’ve been seeing the work they’ve been putting in throughout the week, so I’m glad to see (it) show on Saturdays. It’s a confidence booster for us knowing that our defense has our back.”
Miami transfer Corey Flagg Jr. has emerged as the leader up front for Missouri. He led the team in tackles with six, and his presence was felt all over the field on Saturday. Early in the second quarter, Flagg burst through the line and blew up a speed option, resulting in a loss of five yards.
Another transfer from the state of Florida, defensive tackle Chris McClellan, built upon his efficient Week 1, in which he recorded a sack and forced a fumble, by stuffing Ogbonna at the line of scrimmage on the first play of the game.
McClellan’s stand set the tone the rest of the way, as the Bulls had little luck in the passing game in addition to their limited success rushing.
Ogbonna completed just 6 of 20 passes, and on three drop-backs, he was sacked.
In the second quarter, defensive end Johnny Walker Jr. sacked Ogbonna on third down, forcing one of six Buffalo punts.
The other two sacks came on back-to-back plays in the fourth quarter, and redshirt freshman Jahkai Lang found himself in the middle of the action both times. On second down, Lang recorded the first sack of his college career, bringing Ogbonna down for a 6-yard loss. On the following play, he and McClellan teamed up to drop the quarterback for a 2-yard loss.
“Sack Ave. came alive tonight,” Drinkwitz said. “We had three different defensive ends with sacks. I think Chris McClellan maybe got one. He told me he got another one, I don’t know.”
Arizona State transfer Joe Moore didn’t record any tackles, tackles for loss or sacks, but the eye test showed that Moore was one of the Tigers’ most disruptive defenders in the win. Moore was credited with a pass breakup and a team-high three quarterback hurries.
“(I’m) really pleased with the way Joe has responded,” Drinkwitz said. “He’s continually been a guy who can create pressure and he’s continued to play really good football.”
Looking to continue its historic start to the season, Mizzou next challenges Atlantic Coast Conference foe Boston College at 11:45 a.m. next Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
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