Marina
The Missouri Tigers have delivered their most commanding performance of the season so far, defeating Louisiana 52–10 in what can best be described as a showcase of discipline and dominance.
While early wins over Central Arkansas and Kansas came with moments of inconsistency, the Louisiana game was complete control from start to finish.
Missouri didn’t just win—they dictated every aspect of the game, proving that their mantra of focusing on themselves is paying off on the field.
Breaking Down the Dominance
The win over Louisiana was an all-around statement of how locked in Missouri has become. Despite Louisiana’s proud history—with four double-digit win seasons in the last six years—they were completely overwhelmed by the Tigers.
| Category | Missouri | Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 52 | 10 |
| Total Plays | 86 | 36 |
| Time of Possession | 42 minutes | 18 minutes |
| Total Yards | 606 | 121 |
| Rushing Yards | 427 | 37 (excluding Perry’s 84-yard run) |
| Yards per Rush | 6.9 | 1.0 |
| Completions / Avg Yards | 17 / 10.5 yds | 6 / 3.0 yds |
Missouri ran 27 straight offensive plays before failing to gain yardage, building a 28-0 lead in the process. The defense held Louisiana to -2 yards on six third-quarter plays, and outside of Zylan Perry’s lone 84-yard touchdown run, Louisiana’s offense gained just 37 yards on 35 plays.
That is defensive suffocation at its finest.
Offensive Efficiency and Control
While the defense shined, the offense was equally surgical. The Tigers executed 86 offensive plays, dominating possession for nearly three quarters of the game (42 minutes).
- 427 rushing yards on 62 attempts (6.9 yards per carry)
- 17 completions for 10.5 yards each
- No negative plays until late in the second quarter
Even an interception that set up a Louisiana field goal didn’t derail the momentum. The offense answered immediately, showcasing resilience and poise—a sign of a team maturing week by week.
A Mindset That’s Fueling Success
This victory represents a continuation of Missouri’s approach: control what you can control. They don’t choose their opponents, but they do choose how they prepare and execute. After a shaky first quarter against Kansas, Missouri has been the better team for 11 of their last 12 quarters played.
This internal focus is key. The Tigers aren’t worrying about rankings or who’s on the other sideline. They’re concentrating on executing their assignments, winning their individual battles, and improving every week. That mindset is now setting up a pivotal showdown with South Carolina.
Looking Ahead to South Carolina
Missouri’s next opponent, South Carolina, enters Columbia reeling from a 31–7 loss to Vanderbilt. The Gamecocks are facing uncertainty:
- Quarterback LaNorris Sellers is in concussion protocol after exiting against Vanderbilt
- Star defensive lineman Dylan Stewart may miss the first half due to an ejection
- The team has struggled against Virginia Tech and South Carolina State
| Team | Record | Last Result |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 3–0 | Beat Louisiana 52–10 |
| South Carolina | 2–2 | Lost to Vanderbilt 31–7 |
Whether or not Sellers plays, Missouri will be favored—but the Tigers know being the favorite means nothing without staying locked in. They must maintain their focus and start 4–0 to keep momentum building in the SEC.
The Missouri Tigers are thriving not because of who they’ve faced, but because of how they’ve played. Their ability to tune out the noise and focus inward has transformed them into a team that controls games from start to finish.
If Missouri keeps this mindset against South Carolina and beyond, they could emerge as one of the SEC’s breakout teams of 2025, proving that success begins with focusing on yourself.