What does a 7-1 start mean to Missouri football? How Eli Drinkwitz reacted to Saturday's win.

Missouri football's depth was tested, but they still beat South Carolina 34-12. Cody Schrader had an impressive game.

Missouri football faced a significant test of their depth on Saturday. Chad Bailey was unable to play, Ty'Ron Hopper left the game, Luther Burden dealt with injuries, and Kris Abrams-Draine struggled in the first half. However, these obstacles did not hinder the Tigers, as they emerged victorious with a score of 34-12 against South Carolina.

Interestingly, the original plan was not to heavily rely on Cody Schrader. The intention was to have a more balanced offensive strategy. Head coach Drinkwitz expressed his desire to incorporate Jamal Roberts into the game plan, but unfortunately, it did not materialize.

Nevertheless, Schrader stepped up and carried the ball an impressive 26 times, accumulating 159 yards and scoring two touchdowns. Despite his injuries, he seamlessly complemented Missouri's passing game, highlighting the team's unwavering trust in the senior running back.

On the defensive side, Missouri's pass rush stood out during the game. The team's motto for the week was to "rattle Rattler," referring to South Carolina's quarterback, Spencer Rattler. Although the Tigers had some untimely penalties on third down, they remained relentless in their pursuit of Rattler. The defense recorded six sacks, eight tackles for loss, and five pass breakups, showcasing their dominance throughout the game.

Before Schrader sealed the victory with his second touchdown, the Tigers experienced a lull in their performance. After amassing 294 total yards in the first half, they only managed 45 total yards in the third quarter. Coach Drinkwitz acknowledged the difficulty in finding a rhythm during this period, particularly on third downs. However, he remained optimistic and posed the rhetorical question, "Why stop now?" as the team heads into their idle week.

Looking ahead, Missouri will face the challenge of taking on No. 1 ranked Georgia after their off week. Last year, they came close to defeating Georgia, and accomplishing that feat this season would be remarkable. Coach Drinkwitz emphasized that there are still many games left to shape a memorable November for the team.

Overall, Missouri's depth was tested, but they overcame the obstacles and emerged victorious against South Carolina. Cody Schrader's outstanding performance, coupled with a dominant defensive display, contributed to the team's success. As they move forward, they remain determined to continue their impressive start and create a memorable season.

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