Missouri

Scouting report: Missouri

Published

1 year ago

November 4, 2024

Press Room

Scouting report: Missouri

Oklahoma and Missouri isn’t a “rivalry” game, but it’s likely a game that both fanbases have had circled for some time.

Though for the Sooners, the stakes might be a little higher.

The Sooners (5-4, 1-4 SEC) got back on track last weekend against Maine, but they still face the task of attaining bowl eligibility. Considering their remaining schedule includes Alabama and at LSU, and they’ve struggled significantly in SEC play this season, this weekend is likely their best chance to snap a three-game conference losing streak and snag a highly-coveted sixth win.

The Tigers (6-2, 2-2) have a fine record, but the season has been a sight disappointment so far. Considered a dark horse candidate to win the SEC, and potentially make the College Football Playoff, they’ve lost two of their last three games by a combined score of 74-10. Three of their wins have come by six points or fewer, and that includes a 27-21 victory over Boston College.

But they’ve been a bit hamstrung by injuries particularly to quarterback Brady Cook, who sustained a hand injury in last month’s 34-0 loss to Alabama. Cook’s status is unclear for this weekend, and if backup Drew Pyne is forced back into action, that would present a major blow to the Tigers’ offense.

The Tigers are a 3.5-point home favorite this weekend. The Sooners need a win to secure bowl eligibility. The Tigers need a win to keep themselves viable in the playoff race. Considering the recent history between these two teams — the battles for Cayden Green and Williams Nwaneri come to mind — and that this’ll be the first time these two teams have faced off since 2011 when they were Big 12 foes, there’s a lot of anticipation for this one.

Here’s an early look at the Tigers and what the Sooners can expect:

GAME INFO

When: 6:45 p.m. CT

Where: Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium, Columbia, Missouri

TV: SEC Network

Radio: 107.7 FM

SERIES HISTORY

All time series record: OU leads 67-24-5

Last meeting: OU won 38-28, Sept. 24, 2011

MISSOURI STATS

Scoring offense: 27.8 points per game (70th nationally)

Scoring defense: 17.88 points per game (17th)

Total offense: 399.5 yards per game (61st)

Total defense: 299.6 yards per game (13th)

Rushing offense: 171.6 yards per game (55th)

Rushing defense: 134.9 yards per game (54th)

Passing offense: 227.9 yards per game (70th)

Passing defense: 164.8 yards per game (10th)

Key players

Brady Cook, QB

196.88 yards per game, 62.8% completion, 11 total TD, 1 INT

Drew Pyne, QB

49.6 yards per game, 63.6% completion, 0 TD, 3 INT

Nate Noel, RB

503 yards, 85 carries, 5.9 yards per carry, 2 TD

Marcus Carroll, RB

83 carries, 401 yards, 4.8 yards per carry, 6 TD

Theo Wease Jr., WR

37 receptions, 482 yards, 13.03 yards per reception

Luther Burden, WR

40 receptions, 450 yards, 4 TD

Marvin Burks Jr., S

47 tackles, 1 INT

Corey Flagg Jr., LB

43 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 INT

Johnny Walker Jr., DE

21 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 4.0 sacks

STORYLINES

OU’s rushing attack

The Sooners have found a rhythm running the ball the last two weeks. They rushed for 207 yards against Ole Miss — not including yards lost from sacks — on over four yards per carry. They kept that going last weekend against Maine, rushing for 386 yards on over seven yards per carry. Jovantae Barnes has been the engine, rushing for 340 yards on 6.7 yards per carry.

They have an excellent chance to keep that going against a suspect Missouri rushing defense. Their weak point has been defending the run — they’ve allowed 4.4 yards per carry this season, which ranks 76th nationally. In their losses to Texas A&M and Alabama, they allowed 6.56 and 7.32 yards per carry, respectively.

Considering the Tigers have been much better at defending the pass, the Sooners are going to have to establish the run. It’s not going to be easy, particularly as Michael Tarquin, Jacob Sexton and Jake Taylor work through issues. But given the Sooners’ success running the ball, and Missouri’s struggling to defend it, that’s going to have to be a focus on Saturday.

Who is at quarterback for Missouri?

It’s unclear whether Cook or Pyne will be at quarterback, and that will arguably have the biggest impact on the game.

Cook has been efficient this season and has done a good job of taking care of the ball. He’s averaging 11.5 yards per completion and has shown an ability to move the ball down the field.

When Pyne is in the game, the offense completely stalls. Not only has he been turnover prone, he’s shown incapable of operating a viable offense. He’s averaging fewer than 7.1 yards per completion. He played most of the game against Alabama after Cook exited with an injury, completing six of 12 passes for 42 yards and three interceptions.

If it’s Pyne at quarterback, the OU defense will be able to let loose. They’ll be able to blitz Pyne while not being afraid of anything hurting them down the field. But if it’s Cook at quarterback, it’ll be a much different task for OU’s defense.

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Missouri

Top 25 Missouri Boys High School Basketball Rankings – Feb. 17, 2026

Published

2 hours ago

February 17, 2026

Press Room

Top 25 Missouri Boys High School Basketball Rankings – Feb. 17, 2026

The regular Missouri boys high school basketball season is closing fast, and separation is finally happening. At this point, records matter but context matters more. Who you’ve beaten. How you’ve won. Who is trending upward versus who is just surviving.

The margin for error is shrinking. Conference races are being decided. District brackets are looming. A couple of these teams are playing to defend expectations. Others are building momentum at exactly the right time. A few are sliding. And a handful are peaking in a way that makes them dangerous in March.

This edition reflects performance, trajectory, quality wins, and overall body of work. Some teams held steady. Some climbed. One made a massive leap. Here’s where things stand heading into the stretch run.

Previous Rank: 1

Ranked wins over Westminster and Rolla should sharpen this group for a playoff run where anything short of a state title would feel like a disappointment. The expectation isn’t just to win — it’s to dominate.

Previous Rank: 2

Chaminade split its season series with De Smet after a 58-56 win. Senior guard Tricey Collins provided a spark with 14 points in the victory.

Previous Rank: 3

An 83-50 win over Miller Career Academy proved this team can dominate major-city competition. Senior wing Sutton Shook broke the school record by connecting on 10 three-pointers in a single game.

Previous Rank: 5

A 72-59 win over Webster Groves highlighted this team’s quality. Senior guard and SIUE signee Kain McCaskill scored 21 points. A matchup with second-ranked Chaminade is set for Friday night.

Previous Rank: 4

The undefeated season ended with a road loss to 17-5 Creighton Prep (NE). Games against KC Center and SLUH will close out the regular season.

Previous Rank: 6

Benton controls its own destiny down the stretch. At 22-1, this group has a legitimate chance to reach 25 regular-season wins. A memorable team that will be talked about for years.

Previous Rank: 9

Kickapoo impressed in a 71-60 win over rival Nixa. Senior guard Reese Kimrey led the way. The Chiefs have strong buy-in and chemistry and are emerging as the favorite to come out of SWMO in Class 6.

Previous Rank: 7

Four games in one week began with a road loss to Cardinal Ritter. Wins over Lift for Life, Whitfield, and Holt closed the week on a strong note. Still, the Rams’ margin for error became noticeably slimmer.

Previous Rank: 10

A win over SLUH positioned the Golden Griffins to finish second in the MCC. Junior forward Chase Duke scored 27 points, while sophomore guard Omar Long added 17, including five three-pointers.

Previous Rank: 11

A home loss to Chaminade last Friday decided the MCC championship. The Spartans are likely to see them again in districts, setting up a potential rematch of last year’s game of the year.

Previous Rank: 14

This team continues to improve. The Tigers are playing their best basketball of the season. Wins over Blue Springs South and Lee’s Summit North position them for a 20-win campaign.

Previous Rank: 15

A win over Priory was followed by a competitive loss to nationally ranked Principia. Junior guard Will Powers scored 25 points and recently visited Southern Illinois and Austin Peay.

Previous Rank: 8

A heartbreaking two-point loss to McCluer North was followed by a loss to Vashon. Both games came in tough environments. With Scottie Adkinson leading the way, this team remains competitive, but it was a week that resulted in a drop.

Previous Rank: 12

A loss to Liberty was followed by a win over Park Hill. This group looks different from last season’s squad, but the ceiling remains high.

Previous Rank: Unranked

Unranked to 14th — and no, that’s not a mistake. The Lions have built serious momentum. A win over MICDS made a statement, and follow-up victories over CBC and Normal Community (IL) prove this surge is legitimate. This is not a team anyone wants to face in the Class 6 playoffs.

Previous Rank: 13

Jackson hosts Sikeston on Friday night in a major matchup. The Bulldogs handed them their only loss of the season earlier this year.

Previous Rank: 17

Wins over Troy Buchanan and Fort Zumwalt West have this team trending toward 22-23 regular-season wins. The Spartans have now won 13 straight games.

Previous Rank: 18

St. Dominic has not lost since January 16. Six-foot-seven junior forward Nolan Struckmann continues to evolve into a versatile, do-it-all player gaining statewide attention.

Previous Rank: 19

One of the most complete teams in Kansas City. A dangerous group capable of beating anyone in the area during the postseason.

Previous Rank: 20

A rivalry matchup with Hickman awaits Tuesday night. It’s one of the final tests in what has been a strong season on the south side of Columbia.

Previous Rank: 21

The Jaguars have done enough to be considered a top Class 6 contender. An upcoming matchup with Staley will help determine next week’s order.

Previous Rank: 16

Rolla closes the season with a challenging stretch against Borgia, Orchard Farm, and Union — all teams with at least 14 wins.

Previous Rank: 22

The Bulldogs sit near the top of Class 5. A matchup with Jackson looms large as the regular season wraps up.

Previous Rank: 24

Wins over McCluer and Parkway Central keep Marquette inside the Top 25. Senior guard Brody Owen scored 47 points against Parkway Central, setting a new school record.

Previous Rank: Unranked

The Stars picked up key wins over Hazelwood East and Webster Groves this week. Senior Mekhi Williams has elevated his play down the stretch.

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Missouri

Missouri lawmakers take hard look at regulating AI

Published

15 hours ago

February 17, 2026

Press Room

Missouri lawmakers take hard look at regulating AI

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri lawmakers are taking a hard look at regulating artificial intelligence, focusing on images and videos created without consent.

The House Emerging Issues Committee held a public hearing on Monday to examine a series of bills that would expand criminal and civil penalties for nonconsensual AI-generated content.

Lawmakers emphasized the rapid growth of AI technology has outpaced existing laws, creating gaps in protections for individuals and raising the need to hold creators and platforms accountable.

Committee members also noted more than 30 states already have laws addressing AI-generated images — which comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order in December limiting states enforcing their own regulations — and discussed a possible “sunset” provision to test whether definitions hold up over time.

The bills under consideration cover a range of issues:

Rep. Sheri Gallick (R-Bates County), HB 2350 – Expands Missouri’s criminal definitions of child pornography and explicit sexual material to include “artificially generated visual depictions” of minors.
Rep. Jeff Farnum (R-Atchison County), HB 2035 – Makes it illegal to use AI to replicate or alter a person’s image or voice to create sexual material without written consent. Victims could sue for damages and attorney’s fees, and the Missouri Attorney General could investigate violations.
Rep. Bill Lucas (R-Jefferson County), HB 2321 – Establishes the “AI-Generated Content Accountability and Privacy Protection Act of 2026,” making it a crime to knowingly publish or distribute AI-generated content depicting someone without consent. Penalties range from fines up to $110,000 and prison terms up to five years, with exceptions for satire, art, journalism and research.
Rep. Melissa Schmidt (R-Wright County), HB 2361 – Creates a class C felony for creating, soliciting, promoting, or possessing nonconsensual altered sexual depictions. Online platforms would be required to remove reported content within 48 hours. Civil lawsuits would also be allowed for damages, injunctions and attorney’s fees.
Rep. Cecelie Williams (R-Jefferson County), HB 1913 – Allows victims to sue if an “intimate digital depiction” is shared without consent and creates criminal penalties for knowingly or recklessly disclosing such material. Disclaimers are not a defense, and internet and telecommunications providers are shielded from liability.
Rep. Wendy Hausman (R-St. Charles), HB 1887 (“The Taylor Swift Act”) – Permits individuals, including minors, to sue if digital depictions are shared without consent and imposes criminal penalties for reckless or intentional disclosure, including Class E and Class C felonies for repeat offenses.
Rep. Dave Dolan (R-Scott), HB 2862 – Targets digital impersonation, allowing Missouri residents to seek declaratory relief, injunctions, and damages if images or recordings misrepresent them, including cases tied to paid advertisements. Parents or guardians may act on behalf of minors or incapacitated individuals.

Committee members emphasized that the bills are too important to rush and suggested consolidating the proposals into a single package before a vote, ensuring that Missouri has clear and enforceable protections as AI technology continues to evolve.

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Missouri

What’s open and closed on Presidents Day in Missouri? What to know

Published

1 day ago

February 16, 2026

Press Room

What’s open and closed on Presidents Day in Missouri? What to know

Some Americans have an extra day off to look forward to this week.

Now seen as a day to honor every person who has held the United States’ high office, Presidents Day was created to celebrate George Washington’s birthday on Feb. 22. It became a federal holiday in 1879, but was later moved to the third Monday of February to create a long weekend under the Uniform Holidays Act of 1968.

Here’s a guide to what’s open and closed on Presidents Day.

When is Presidents Day 2026?

This year, Presidents Day is on Monday, Feb. 16.

Are federal or Missouri state offices open on Presidents Day?

Given that Presidents Day is a federal holiday, non-essential federal offices and most banks will be closed, and there will be no U.S. mail delivery.

In Missouri, it’s also a state holiday, so all local governments and state offices will also be closed.

Will stores, restaurants be open on Presidents Day?

Most major retailers, grocery stores and restaurants should be open on Presidents Day, but you may want to check with your local stores to confirm business hours.

Are Costco or Sam’s Club open on Presidents Day?

Both Costco and Sam’s Club will be open during normal business hours on Presidents Day.

Are Walgreens or CVS open on Presidents Day?

CVS and Walgreens will be open on Presidents Day, but store hours may vary.

Is the post office open on Presidents Day? Will mail be delivered?

All post offices will be closed, and mail will not be delivered on Presidents Day, according to the U.S. Postal Service’s website.

FedEx will offer modified services, mostly entailing early pickups, and most offices will be open. UPS will operate as usual, and its stores will be open.

Are banks open on Presidents Day?

Most banks will be closed on Presidents Day, as most follow the Federal Reserve’s holiday schedule.

Is the stock market open on Presidents Day?

Both the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market will be closed on Presidents Day.

Will there be trash pickup on Presidents Day?

Trash pickup on Presidents Day can vary city to city, so it’s best to check with your local waste management service to see if they observe the holiday. Trash pickup is typically delayed by one day if the scheduled pickup falls on a federal holiday.

Are libraries and DMV offices open on Presidents Day?

Holiday hours can vary among Missouri’s libraries and DMV offices, so it’s best to check whether the ones in your area will be open on Presidents Day.

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