After suffering its first loss of the 2024 season at the hands of the Texas A&M Aggies in Week 6, Missouri football is looking to get itself back on track.
The Tigers travel on the road to face the UMass Minutemen, getting a break from their Southeastern Conference schedule. The Minutemen currently have a 1-5 record, most recently taking a 34-20 loss to Northern Illinois last week.
The 41-10 loss to Texas A&M stung Missouri, but it gets an opportunity to fix the problems that held it back a week ago. Of course it won’t underestimate what UMass can do, but it’s an ideal matchup to help steer the ship back to an upward trajectory.
“How we respond will define who we are as a team and what kind of character we have as a program,” head coach Eli Drinkwitz said.
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The Tigers will get their chance to respond against the Minutemen at 11 a.m. in the first meeting between both teams in either program’s history.
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Third Quarter
•12:44: Daylan Carnell nearly picked Taisun Phommachanh off, but it just fell out of his hands. Regardless, UMass turns it over on downs.
Second Quarter
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• Nate Noel is officially listed as OUT for the rest of the game with back tightness, per Eli Hoff.
• Blake Craig’s 42-yard field goal sends the Tigers into halftime with a 24-3 lead.
• 00:23: Corey Flagg Jr. snags an interception in the red zone and takes it 80 yards down the field to prevent a UMass score.
• UMass tries a fake punt, and it works. The Minutemen pick up 39 yards on that play and have good field positioning with a minute left in the half to score.
• 6:03: The Minutemen get their first score of the game off a 28-yard field goal from Jacob Lurie, making it a 21-3 differential.
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• 11:02: Carroll strikes again on a 4-yard touchdown. Missouri now leads 21-0.
• UMass has already used three timeouts and there is still 13 minutes left in the half.
• Kewan Lacy getting some action at running back, receiving the first two carries of the quarter for a total of seven yards.
First Quarter
• Mitch Walters is in the offensive line over Cayden Green. Already a lot of substitutions for the the Tigers by the end of the first quarter.
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• Nate Noel hasn’t seen a snap yet, while Carroll and even Jamal Roberts have gotten seven and two carries respectively.
• 5:15: Marcus Carroll punches in a 3-yard touchdown, putting Missouri up 14-0. Marks his third touchdown of the season.
• 14:03: Just like that, a 61-yard jet sweep to Luther Burden III gives the Tigers their first touchdown of the day and an early 7-0 lead.
Pregame:
• UMass wins the toss and defers, allowing Missouri to receive the kick-off.
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• Expect wind to be a factor in Saturday’s game — the National Weather Service is charting wind in Amherst, Massachusetts to be up to 17 mph and gusts up to 23 mph.
• Missouri will be without starting inside linebacker Triston Newson and defensive end Joe Moore III due to injury, according to the Tiger Radio Network.
UPDATE: Mike Kelly reports on the Buckle Up Phone Down Tiger Tailgate that DL Joe Moore and LB Triston Newson are out today, and freshman DL Williams Nwaneri is expected to play.
The 3rd Hour of TODAY anchors are motoring west and heading to Springfield, Missouri for what we’re calling Destination: Route 66!
On Thursday, April 30, Al Roker and Dylan Dryer will be broadcasting LIVE from downtown Springfield — and we’re inviting you to get your kicks on Route 66 and experience the city’s one-of-a-kind culture at Birthplace Plaza.
We’ll take you along for an incredible tour of everything the city has to offer — from local food and music to the stories that made Route 66 famous. We’ll even catch up with legendary actor and proud Missouri State alum, John Goodman!
Join Al and Dylan as they experience all that Springfield has to offer and get a firsthand look at America’s most famous highway. Space is limited, so secure your place to attend this free taping by registering now.
Gov. Mike Kehoe announced two gubernatorial appointments Friday to vacant positions in mid-Missouri counties.
Doug Miller, of California, Mo., was appointed as Moniteau County associate commissioner, district one.
Miller is a Moniteau County native who has worked as a middle school physical education and health teacher in the county for 27 years. Since 2021, he has worked as an office manager for Rackers Manufacturing and a bus driver for the California school district.
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Rodney Southard, of Rolla, was appointed as Maries County eastern district commissioner.
Southard is a fifth-generation Missouri farmer who previously worked as a support specialist for NEW Solutions and a surface water specialist for the U.S. Geological Survey. He is currently the chairman of MU Extension in Maries County.
Edge rusher turned out to be a strong position for the New Orleans Saints last season. Saints edge rushers combined for 28.5 sacks in 2025, with Chase Young and Cameron Jordan accounting for 20.5 sacks and 52 pressures. Jordan is currently a free agent and will be in his 16th season if he does return. This leads most believing that the team will pursue a young edge rusher in the draft. One option could be Missouri Tigers pass rusher Zion Young if this happens. Young is one of a handful of talented edge defenders that could still be on the board midway through the second day. Here is a closer look at the profile of perhaps one of the more underrated defenders in the 2026 NFL Draft class.
Zion Young bio
Position: Edge
College: Missouri Tigers
Height: 6-feet, 6 inches
Weight: 262 pounds
Out of Westlake High School in Georgia, Young initially committed to the Michigan State Spartans in the Big Ten. He’d see limited playing time during eight games in 2022 but still managed a sack and 2.5 tackles for loss among 21 total stops. Young was much more involved for the Spartans in 2023, recording 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He’d enter the transfer portal after that season, landing with the Missouri Tigers in the SEC.
A stout Missouri defense was strengthened with Young’s addition. He contributed 2.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss among his 42 total stops in 2024. Last season, Young solidified his attention from NFL scouts. He led the Tigers with 16.5 tackles for loss, second best in the SEC, in addition to 6.5 sacks. Those numbers earned him 1st Team All-SEC honors.
Strengths
Prototype size and length for both 3-4 and 4-3 fronts
Displays good power and leverage on contact
Strength to muscle through double-teams
Sets the edge extremely well against the run
Keeps blockers off–balance with combination of speed and power
Sets up inside moves with good arm extension
Weaknesses
Inconsistent pass rush production
Lacks refined counter moves
Not a great bend around the outside of tackles
Must do a better job at disengaging for pursuit
Questionable agility for a stand-up edge rusher
Zion Young 2026 draft outlook
Most predictions have Young being selected in the second or third round. He does have the power and upside to be a surprise first round selection for the right scheme. While his agility and athleticism creates some questions, there is little doubt that he has the raw power and tenacity to be a defensive contributor.
New Orleans is expected to add an edge rusher within the first two days of the draft. With an emphasis on an improved run defense, Young could be a welcomed addition to their system as a strong side defender. Young’s upside as a pass rusher would govern how much he plays early, but he would likely be an immediate part of any defensive rotation along the outside.
