Eli Drinkwitz calls for Missouri to improve on poor execution in run game

Eli Drinkwitz knows Missouri has to improve its execution in the run game. The Tigers had a close call against Middle Tennessee on Saturday, and while they were solid on the ground, they could have been much better.

Drinkwitz pointed to a couple of instances in which Missouri failed to convert third-and-short situations, leading to missed opportunities that allowed the Blue Raiders to stay in the game.

“We gave it plenty of chances,” he said. “Obviously we weren’t good enough, especially in short yardage. It felt like the one negative there was on that third-and-1 where we weren’t able to convert it. Then we had another third-and-1 where we false start. Those penalties right there and lack of execution is poor and it’s gotta improve.”

The Tigers averaged just 2.4 yards per carry as they managed 112 yards rushing on 46 attempts. Quarterback Brady Cook was the only player to score a touchdown on the ground as Cody Schrader led the way with 84 yards on 23 carries.

Senior Nathaniel Peat was the most effective of the backs as he averaged 6.4 yards per carry. He also had a big play on the receiving end as he caught a 49-yard touchdown pass to give the Tigers a 13-point cushion to start the fourth quarter. However, he only had eight carries as he finished behind Schrader with 51 yards rushing.

Peat’s touchdown would be the last time Missouri scored in the game as Middle Tennessee nearly found its way to erasing that 13-point deficit. However, the Tigers defense stood strong to come up with a stop and force the Blue Raiders to turn it over on downs.

Missouri was much more effective on the ground in its Week 1 contest against South Dakota as it averaged 5.3 yards per carry and rushed for 211 yards. Schrader and Peat split carries more evenly in that game, with the former finishing with a team-high 138 yards.

With SEC play looming in a few weeks, the Tigers will soon face much better defenses and improving its performance on the ground will be critical to success. They ranked 10th in the SEC this past season with 155.7 rushing yards per game.

Before conference play begins, however, Drinkwitz will have a couple more games to get Missouri prepared. Still, the Tigers next contest won’t be any easier as they face No. 15 Kansas State at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday.