Missouri torches Idaho in 1st quarter

MISSOURI 68, IDAHO 21

COLUMBIA, Mo. — In a team meeting Monday, Missouri Coach Barry Odom set ablaze scouting reports, game plans and other remnants of a disappointing first half of the season. Five days later, the Tigers started the second half of the season by torching Idaho’s secondary.

Missouri ended a fivegame losing streak with a 68-21 victory on Faurot Field.

“I think the display in the team meeting room Monday was perfect,” quarterback Drew Lock said. “I think we’re all buying into the whole second season. Starting off 1-0 is what we needed. I think we can keep building on that. We’ve got a lot of winnable games coming up, and we just need to believe in it.”

Lock completed 23 of 33 passes for 467 yards and 6 touchdowns. He fell one touchdown pass short of the school record he set in the season opener. J’Mon Moore caught 11 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown.

The game began ominously for the Tigers (2-5). Armond Hawkins intercepted Lock on the first play, and the Vandals (2-5) proceeded to score on a 7-yard pass from Matt Linehan to Kaden Elliss, a linebacker who moonlights on offense.

“There was a very pointed discussion between our offensive coordinator and him,” said Odom, referring to Josh Heupel and Lock. “It would not be G-rated.”

Lock, in his third year starting for a team that hasn’t posted a winning record since 2014, said he has developed thick skin.

“I’ve handled a lot of adversity since I’ve been here, so throwing a pick on the first play, I’ve been in a lot worse situations here,” Lock said.

Missouri responded with five first-quarter touchdowns, including three scoring passes from Lock to tight end Albert Okwuegbunam. By halftime, Missouri led 51-14 and had accumulated 465 yards.

Idaho entered the game ranked sixth nationally in pass defense, but it hadn’t played a Power 5 conference opponent until Saturday. The Tigers rely on run-pass option plays, and Lock chose the pass option frequently in the first half. The Vandals gave Missouri receivers big cushions — seemingly conceding short passes to prevent big plays — but Lock still connected on a 45-yard pass to Emanuel Hall and a 50-yarder Johnathan Johnson in the first quarter. Idaho was repeatedly gashed down the middle of the field by Missouri’s tight ends, including Kendall Blanton’s 62-yard reception.

Missouri was missing leading rusher Damarea Crockett (Little Rock Christian), who injured his shoulder last week against Georgia and is expected to be out “for a while,” Odom said. In his place, freshman Larry Rountree rushed 12 times for 97 yards.