Earlier than signing a contract extension, Eli Drinkwitz’s title surfaced repeatedly in the course of the 2025-26 teaching carousel, together with hypothesis linking him to LSU and Florida.
On Saturday, Oct. 3, Drinkwitz and Missouri delivered a convincing reminder of why.
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The Tigers handed those self same Florida Gators a 45-17 beatdown, ending a program-record nine-game dropping streak towards ranked opponents by overwhelming No. 8 Florida and first-year coach Jon Sumrall.
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Missouri turned a 10-10 recreation right into a rout with a surprising 35-0 scoring run, overwhelming a staff that entered the day as one of many nation’s hottest applications. The victory marked the Tigers’ first win over a top-10 opponent since knocking off No. 7 Georgia in 2013 and offered a signature second for a program that had gone simply 27-75 towards ranked groups this century.
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Extra importantly, the consequence served as one other reminder of the SEC’s depth. The league could have positioned 9 groups within the newest US LBM Coaches Ballot, however Missouri’s dismantling of Florida strengthened a rising actuality: Exterior of Georgia and maybe Alabama, there isn’t a untouchable heavyweight within the convention.
On any given Saturday, the SEC’s center class is able to touchdown a knockout punch. Missouri simply proved it.
Missouri, in any case, trailed Troy by double-digits at dwelling final month; it was down by 11 simply days in the past towards Mississippi State — the identical Mississippi State that misplaced at dwelling by 33 factors Saturday to Alabama.
Did not matter on at the present time. Florida, with sensational tailback Jadan Baugh, was stymied to the tune of 42 dashing yards on 25 carries.
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“It is all about stopping the run for us,” Drinkwitz informed the TV broadcast postgame. “I believed our guys responded to the problem all week; I am actually happy with them.”
Whereas Missouri’s run protection thwarted the Gators, its offense continued to cook dinner beneath former Ole Miss quarterback Austin Simmons. He closed with 340 passing yards, was within the plus on dashing and didn’t commit a turnover.
“Man, he was simply fearless,” mentioned Drinkwitz, 33-11 in his previous 44 video games. “(He) performed quick and free like we talked to him all week.”
Simmons acknowledged Missouri’s challenges after it was defeated by upstart Mississippi State — and with video games towards Texas A&M and Ole Miss looming earlier than an open date.
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“Simply happy with this complete staff,” Simmons mentioned on-field. “Actually confronted numerous adversity all through this complete week.
“However, we saved our composure and got here out and simply dominated. It is a powerful league we play in, so actually simply conserving that very same mindset all through the sport.”
By doing so on this afternoon, Missouri scored a homecoming win, saved alive its School Soccer Playoff prospects — and Drinkwitz confirmed his worth on a contract extension price greater than $10 million yearly.
This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: A ranked win ultimately: Missouri crushes one of many nation’s hottest groups
