COLUMBIA, Mo. — Ever since it replaced the Razorbacks’ annual Black Friday game against LSU, fans have looked down upon the Arkansas vs Missouri “rivalry” game.
(Scroll to the updates below for the latest on injured defensive end Landon Jackson.)
Even though it got a shiny trophy and fancy name with a sponsor – Battle Line Rivalry (presented by Shelter Insurance) – many felt like it was manufactured and refused to accept it as a true rivalry.
When he was hired as the new Missouri football coach following the 2019 season, Eli Drinkwitz made it his goal to spice things up. That has meant making several inflammatory comments about the Razorbacks the last several years.
Consider this comment from 2021:
“I kind of like the rivalry we’ve got with Arkansas,” Drinkwitz said. “I don’t remember the last time they beat us, so I kind of like that one. The Battle Line Rivalry, it’s pretty good for us. I think we’ll just keep that one right now. That’s a good one.”
Or last December, when in the immediate aftermath of Pine Bluff blue-chip recruit Courtney Crutchfield’s announcement of his signing with Mizzou over Arkansas, Drinkwitz posted one of the most annoying passive-aggressive GIF-digs at an opposing recruiter in major college football history.
The crowing was especially painful to Arkansas football fans given Drinkwitz has built a pipeline to Arkansas, grabbing talent like Crutchfield and fellow Pine Bluff natives Austin Dendy and Jordan Harris, but also assistants like Al Davis (also a Pine Bluff area native), Brian Early and Rick Jones, the former Greenwood High head coach who collected state titles like Pez candy.
This year’s dig was more subtle than usual, as the Alma native seemingly purposefully mispronounced the name of Arkansas’ starting quarterback, Taylen Green:
While that kind of stuff fires up fans, Arkansas football coach Sam Pittman – who was hired the same offseason as Drinkwitz – is unbothered. He told reporters earlier this week that Drinkwitz warned him it was his goal to really ramp up the rivalry.
“He’s stirred up a lot of stuff, not just with Arkansas,” Pittman said. “So I have a lot of respect for him. He’s a hell of a coach.”
No kidding. On Saturday afternoon, Drinkwitz’s Missouri football squad yet again beat Arkansas, this time after the Hogs shot themselves in the foot with a baffling number of penalties, along with two ill-timed fumbles and series of suspect time-out calls (and one non-call) down the stretch of a 28-21 loss in Columbia.
After the game, Drinkwitz tried to downplay his pronunciation. “He’s a great player, great quarterback, and by no means was I being disrespectful to him,” he said. In another part, Drinkwitz added: “There’s a better part of 2 hours of sports radio getting after me because I mispronounced the quarterback’s name. Like I told Taylen Green, that was me being genuine.”
Whatever Drinkwitz’s true nature, it doesn’t apparently sit well with one longtime Arkansas reporter. Otis Kirk, who now covers the Razorbacks for Hogville on Pig Trail Nation, took to Facebook to voice his opinion of Drinkwitz not long after Pittman’s amiable statement on Monday:
Those are some strong words and, somewhat ironically, should have only added to what could have been a growing Arkansas vs Missouri rivalry. With yet another Hogs loss, though, it feels like like that ship of possibility is sailing.
Follow along below for scoring updates, highlights and stats from this year’s edition of the Battle Line Rivalry…
LIVE UPDATES — Arkansas vs Missouri
Pregame Tidbits
Upon arriving at Faurot Field, several Arkansas players walked around on the playing surface without shirts in the snowy conditions. Included among them were quarterbacks Taylen Green and Malachi Singleton. Missouri players were doing the same, with some even making snow angels.
Sam Pittman will be coaching today’s game from the booth. He’s been dealing with a bum hip all season and is set to have surgery on it next week.
2:23, 1Q — Missouri 7, Arkansas 0
The Tigers got great field position thanks to a Taylen Green fumble and then were aided by numerous Arkansas penalties after facing a third-and-10. The result was a 2-yard touchdown run by Marcus Carroll.
END of 1Q — Missouri 7, Arkansas 0
9:42, 2Q — Missouri 7, Arkansas 7
Despite a false start and two holding penalties, Arkansas managed to finish a 15-play, 80-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run by Ja’Quinden Jackson. It took 7:41 off the clock.
Landon Jackson Injury
1:07, 2Q — Missouri 7, Arkansas 7
Scary moment at Faurot Field, as Arkansas star defensive end Landon Jackson went down after a run play by Missouri and didn’t move much. He was eventually wheeled off on a stretcher after a 12-minute delay and gave a thumbs up to his teammates.
It seems insignificant compared to his health, but the injury is a significant blow to Arkansas’ defense that was already without Nico Davillier (knee). Luckily, Anton Juncaj is back this week, but he may not be fully in game shape after missing the last three games. Arkansas has been primarily in a three-man front, so that reduces the need for defensive ends, but it likely means Quincy Rhodes Jr. will be asked to take on a larger role in the second half. It could also mean playing time for freshmen Charlie Collins and Kavion Henderson.
HALF – Missouri 7, Arkansas 7
The Hogs actually out-gained the Tigers 168-107 in the first half.
11:41, 3Q — Arkansas 14, Missouri 7
The Hogs forced a three-and-out to start the second half and promptly drove 50 yards on just six plays. Ja’Quinden Jackson scored his second touchdown of the game on a 12-yard run.
3:06, 3Q — Arkansas 14, Missouri 10
Missouri answered with a very long drive of its own, but a false start on fourth-and-1 at the 6 forced the Tigers to settle for a field goal. Blake Craig’s kick was good from 28 yards. It was a 16-play drive that covered just 57 yards and ate up 8:06 off the clock.
END of 3Q — Arkansas 14, Missouri 10
13:45, 4Q — Missouri 17, Arkansas 14
The Tigers were in a second-and-20 thanks to a holding penalty, but managed to convert over the next two plays. They eventually scored on a 1-yard run by Marcus Carroll. Missouri has had the ball for a combined 12 minutes and 16 seconds, with a one-play, 6-second possession by Arkansas mixed in. That one play was a fumble by Ja’Quinden Jackson.
9:39, 4Q — Missouri 20, Arkansas 14
A nice punt by Devin Bale pinned Missouri at the 10, but it dialed up a pass on its first play and turned it into 70 yards. Hudson Clark missed a tackle that would have limited it to about 6 yards, but Theo Wease broke free for the big gain. The defense held strong after that, though, and limited the Tigers to a 34-yard field goal.
4:19, 4Q — Arkansas 21, Missouri 20
A tremendous catch by Andrew Armstrong on fourth down kept the drive alive and Ja’Quinden Jackson finished it with a 9-yard touchdown run.
1:53, 4Q — Missouri 28, Arkansas 21
The Tigers went right down the field, covering 75 yards in eight plays. The last one was a 30-yard keeper up the middle by Brady Cook, who went untouched. They dialed up some trickery on the two-point conversion and got it, with Cook finding Burden wide open.
FINAL — Missouri 28, Arkansas 21
More from Arkansas vs Missouri:
SEC Availability Report
Here’s what the SEC’s official availability report for Arkansas vs Missouri looked like Friday night. We’ll update the below list when the final report comes out about 1.5 hours before kickoff.
Arkansas
- DE Nico Davillier: out
- CB Jaylon Braxton: out
- LB Anthony Switzer: out
- K Kyle Ramsey: out
- RB Braylen Russell: questionable / game-time decision on final report
- DE Anton Juncaj: questionable / left off final report (so good to go)
Missouri
- WR Mookie Cooper: out
- DE Darris Smith: out
- QB Sam Horn: out
- CB Shamar McNeil: out
- LB Khalil Jacobs: out
- DE Joe Moore: out
- LS Brett Le Blanc: out
- OL Connor Tollison: out
- OL Logan Reichert: out
How to Watch Arkansas vs Missouri
Date: Saturday, Nov. 30
Location: Faurot Field (Columbia, Mo.)
Kickoff time (TV): 2:30 p.m. CT (SEC Network)
Commentators: Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (analyst), Alyssa Lang (sideline reporter)
ESPN FPI: Missouri has a 67.8% chance to win.
Odds/Betting Line: Missouri, -3 | O/U 53.5 (BetSaracen)
Some video of the snowy conditions in Columbia:
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