COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Brady Cook threw for 218 yards with touchdowns running and throwing, Toriano Pride Jr. returned an interception 25 yards for a score, and No. 11 Missouri routed Murray State 51-0 on Thursday night in the season opener for both teams.
Luther Burden III had a touchdown catch and Nate Noel and Marcus Carroll added TD runs, helping the Tigers build a big lead early enough that coach Eli Drinkwitz was able to rest his starters midway through the third quarter.
Murray State, which was picked to finish last in the Missouri Valley, managed 85 yards of total offense.
Transfer quarterback Drew Pyne, who played three seasons at Notre Dame and spent last year at Arizona State, was efficient after Cook left the game, going 10 of 11 for 82 yards.
Missouri continues its four-game homestand Sept. 7 against Buffalo.