Eli Drinkwitz critiques Missouri despite opening win against UAPB

Missouri opened the 2026 season with a 54-14 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Thursday night in Columbia. Starting quarterback Austin Simmons threw for 252 yards and four touchdowns while Donovan Olugbode recorded 116 receiving yards and two scores before the starters were pulled near halftime. Despite the lopsided score, head coach Eli Drinkwitz expressed frustration with the team's intensity and discipline in the second half. The Tigers committed multiple penalties and failed to record any defensive takeaways or significant pressure on the opposing quarterback after the reserves entered the game. Drinkwitz noted that the team's lack of discipline served as a poor reflection of the program's standards. Missouri now prepares for a matchup against Kansas on Friday, Sept. 11, in Lawrence.

• 5:00 AMYahoo Sports — What Mizzou’s Eli Drinkwitz said was ‘hallmark of what we do not do’ after win