Missouri
Surprised? Here’s why, even after back-to-back shutouts, Missouri football’s defense is not
Marvin Burks Jr. had every reason to be surprised.
The Missouri football safety was all alone, after all, and there was a pass coming toward him like it had been hardwired and programmed to end up in his arms. There wasn’t a Buffalo receiver in the area code. Bulls quarterback CJ Ogbonna, on the first-quarter, third-and-10 heave, may as well have gift-wrapped it for Burks.
It was as simple and sweet an interception as Burks likely will ever pluck from the sky.
He had every reason to be a little surprised at the present, but he wasn’t. Not really.
“I don’t wanna say I was surprised, because, like I said, we were watching a whole lot of film,” Burks said postgame. “… Basically, (Bulls receiver Nik McMillan) was (Ogbonna’s) guy that he was trying to look to, and I kind of saw them looking at each other pre-snap. So I just made a great play.”
There have been a fair few of those from the Tigers’ defense through two games.
Through two straight shutouts.
Mizzou is 2-0, and it has cruised to 2-0. Its 38-0 win over Buffalo on Saturday night on Faurot Field in Columbia marked eight straight quarters without allowing a point to open the 2024 season.
Dating back to last season — and for the first time since 1941, per MU coach Eli Drinkwitz — the Tigers have gone 12 straight quarters without allowing a touchdown. It’s the first time Missouri has held two straight opponents without a single point since 1935.
The transition wasn’t supposed to go this smoothly.
The Missouri defense was supposed to be one of the team’s foremost question marks.
Through two games — through two shutouts — consider any concerns resoundingly answered.
“It’s impressive. I think, you know, the general thing, and all offseason you see in the media, … ‘Oh, what’s the defense going to be?’” Missouri quarterback Brady Cook said. “You know, it’s still going to be that same ‘Death Row’ defense that we’ve had.”
For a unit that lost five starters to the NFL Draft, five more key pieces to graduation and had to replace a defensive coordinator all in the same offseason, that’s surely been a little bit of a surprise, right?
But there’s a reason Burks wasn’t shocked. There’s a reason nobody in the Mizzou camp even seems remotely surprised.
Under defensive coordinator Corey Batoon, the Tigers are giving off the impression that they know what’s coming.
New linebacker Corey Flagg mentioned it after the Murray State win, saying that color-coordinated signs from the sideline put them in prime position to make plays.
Burks echoed that.
“We just kind of feel like we just know what’s going on every time we’re out there,” the sophomore safety said. “On third down, second down, first down, end of game, end of half, … we just know what’s going on throughout the game, I feel like.”
The shutouts are impressive. The numbers behind them are jarring.
Missouri’s opponents, Buffalo and Murray State, have not sniffed the end zone. The furthest either of them has made it up the field was the MU 30-yard line. Including turnovers on downs, Mizzou forced the Bulls into three first-half turnovers on Saturday, which takes the Tigers’ total for the season to six.
Buffalo quarterback CJ Ogbonna passed for just 55 yards. That was more than double what Murray State managed last week.
Crucial to it all, Missouri’s opponents have completed just 5-of-27 third-down attempts between them. Buffalo went 1-of-12 on third downs.
It hasn’t just been shutouts. Nobody has been close to scoring.
Sure, Murray State and Buffalo are far overmatched, but what’s making it so difficult for teams to sustain drives against these Tigers?
Maybe Theo Wease Jr., who had a career-high 149 yards on 13 catches against the Bulls, can answer that.
“That’s ‘Death Row,’” Wease said. “They’re out there flying around; Coach Batoon is doing a good job disguising … and sending pressures from different places; and then, at the end of the day, the plays are being made.”
How about Cook, who surpassed Blaine Gabbert for sixth all-time on Missouri’s career passing yards standings?
“I went against them for however many days in fall camp. You know, they suffocate you,” the quarterback said. “They don’t give up much.”
The Tigers are likely to move up in the national polls Sunday after a loss from No. 5 Notre Dame. A top-25 matchup could be on deck next weekend, when Boston College, who surprised Florida State, comes to town.
Mizzou, a pair of shutouts in hands, has been all about no surprises so far, though.
“It’s a great confidence boost for us, but we’ve still gotta keep our head down,” Burks said. “And like I said, just keep working each and every day, each and every week because it’s … getting tougher and tougher each week as we go.”
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 20, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from April 20 drawing
09-17-36-47-64, Powerball: 26, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 20 drawing
Midday: 6-4-7
Midday Wild: 1
Evening: 0-2-2
Evening Wild: 2
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 20 drawing
Midday: 5-1-9-1
Midday Wild: 9
Evening: 2-5-8-0
Evening Wild: 4
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 20 drawing
Early Bird: 12
Morning: 10
Matinee: 09
Prime Time: 03
Night Owl: 06
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from April 20 drawing
01-11-14-16-18
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from April 20 drawing
04-29-35-40-43, Powerball: 21
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.
To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:
Ticket Redemption
Missouri Lottery
P.O. Box 7777
Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777
For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.
For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.
When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
- Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
- Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
- Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Reinforcing the offensive line has been a priority for the New Orleans Saints, who opened free agency by signing former Buffalo Bills left guard David Edwards to a four-year, $61 million contract. Even though the franchise has allocated plenty of resources to its offensive line, the free agency addition won’t stop them from seeking more offensive line talent.
The franchise is focused on protecting second-year quarterback Tyler Shough. If a starting offensive lineman is injured, someone must step up. Currently, Asim Richards is the only reliable backup for left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. or right tackle Taliese Fuaga. On the interior, Dillon Radunz would make sense as a reliable replacement if someone were to go down between Edwards, center Erik McCoy, and right guard Cesar Ruiz.
Drafting a promising offensive lineman in 2026 makes sense, as the Saints hold five Day 3 picks. It’s unlikely general manager Mickey Loomis will spend early draft capital on a tackle, but a late pick is logical. Missouri’s Keagen Trost, projected for Day 3, could fit this need.
Trost, 25, recently worked out privately with the Saints, a source told Saints Wire. The Missouri standout earned a 92.4 Pro Football Focus grade in 13 games last season, ranking No. 1 among 632 eligible collegiate tackles. He also allowed just one sack in 834 total snaps.
Trost’s high grades project him in the fifth round, and he offers versatility, including potential to move inside. At his pro day, he measured 6-foot-4 and 313 pounds. The main issue is his 32 3/8-inch arms, which are shorter than teams prefer for starting tackles. He has extensive SEC experience and strong college production to back it up.
Picks No. 150 and 172 in the fifth round are logical choices for New Orleans to consider selecting Trost. Multiple teams have shown interest in him; he had five pre-draft visits and recently held virtual meetings with the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, and Atlanta Falcons, according to a source. While there are many highly regarded offensive linemen in this class, Trost’s versatility appears to set him apart from the others.
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 19, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 19 drawing
Midday: 4-7-3
Midday Wild: 7
Evening: 8-8-3
Evening Wild: 5
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 19 drawing
Midday: 9-0-8-0
Midday Wild: 9
Evening: 1-8-4-8
Evening Wild: 9
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 19 drawing
Early Bird: 15
Morning: 15
Matinee: 07
Prime Time: 10
Night Owl: 06
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from April 19 drawing
08-14-24-27-28
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.
To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:
Ticket Redemption
Missouri Lottery
P.O. Box 7777
Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777
For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.
For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.
When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
- Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
- Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
- Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.
-
Atlanta, GA4 minutes agoHavana in Atlanta: 6 Cuban restaurants we keep craving
-
Minneapolis, MN10 minutes ago10 years later, our Prince superfan shares his Prince Pilgrimage
-
Indianapolis, IN16 minutes agoIndianapolis Democrat Andrea Hunley to seek bid for mayor’s job in 2027
-
Pittsburg, PA22 minutes agoKozora: Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 Mock Draft (Final Version)
-
Augusta, GA28 minutes agoGeoff Duncan visits Augusta to campaign on Monday
-
Washington, D.C34 minutes agoUS industry leaders take sport fishing issues to Washington DC – Angling International
-
Cleveland, OH40 minutes agoRabbi Leibel Alevsky, Chabad of Northeast Ohio founder and director, dies at 86
-
Austin, TX46 minutes agoMan charged after driving 100 mph in East Austin, crashing into bus station: affidavit