If you're checking your phone for the missouri university football score today, you're probably going to be a little disappointed—or maybe relieved, depending on how much sleep you need. It is January 18, 2026. The pads are in the lockers. The cleats are cleaned off. The 2025 college football season for the Mizzou Tigers is officially in the rearview mirror, and honestly, it ended with a bit of a whimper in Jacksonville.
There is no game today. The season wrapped up a few weeks ago at the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on December 27. Missouri went up against Virginia, and if you were hoping for a high-flying offensive clinic, you definitely didn't get it. The final score was Virginia 13, Missouri 7.
Yeah, seven points. It was a tough watch.
What Happened in the Last Mizzou Game?
Let's talk about that Gator Bowl for a second because it sort of defines where the program is at right now. Mizzou actually looked great for about five minutes. They marched right down the field on the opening drive, and Jamal Roberts punched it in for a 5-yard touchdown. You’re thinking, "Okay, here we go, Eli Drinkwitz has these boys ready."
Then the offense just... evaporated.
Virginia’s defense turned into a brick wall. The Tigers didn't score another point for the rest of the game. It was frustrating. It was cold. It was one of those games where every third down felt like climbing a mountain.
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The Quarterback Situation
The big story was Matt Zollers. He's a true freshman, and he became the first true freshman in Mizzou history to start a bowl game. That’s a huge deal. He finished 12 of 22 for 101 yards. Not exactly video game numbers, but the kid showed some serious guts.
The ending was particularly brutal. On the final drive, with the Tigers at the Virginia 21-yard line and a chance to win it, Zollers took a hit and his head slammed into the turf. The officials made him leave the field for a concussion check. Because of that, the backup had to come in for the final play, and it just didn't happen.
A Record-Breaking Season Despite the Loss
Even though the missouri university football score today is non-existent, we have to talk about Ahmad Hardy. If you didn't watch him this year, you missed out on something special.
Hardy is a consensus All-American running back for a reason. During the Gator Bowl, he ran for 89 yards on 15 carries. That might not sound like a world-beating performance, but it was enough to push him to 1,649 rushing yards for the season.
He broke Cody Schrader’s single-season rushing record (1,627 yards) which was only set two years ago. Hardy is basically a human highlight reel. He's the main reason Mizzou finished 8-5 instead of 5-7.
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2025 Regular Season Results
If you’re trying to remember how they got here, the season was a bit of a roller coaster.
- The Highs: They beat Kansas 42-31 in a game that felt like a war. They also handled Arkansas 31-17 to close the regular season.
- The Lows: A 17-6 loss to Oklahoma and a 38-17 thumping by Texas A&M.
- The Heartbreakers: Losing 27-24 to Alabama in a game they really should have won.
The Transfer Portal Is the New Game Day
Since there is no missouri university football score today, the real action is happening in the transfer portal. This is where seasons are won or lost in modern college football.
Just yesterday, January 17, Mizzou landed a massive commitment. CJ May, a 6-foot-4 edge rusher from Louisville, announced he’s coming to Columbia. He was a four-star recruit out of high school and has four years of eligibility left.
Coach Drinkwitz is clearly trying to beef up a defense that was good but not elite in 2025. May is the second big-time edge defender they’ve grabbed this month, following Jaden Jones from Florida State.
Who's Leaving?
It’s not all good news. The portal is a two-way street. Several freshmen and depth players have entered the portal since December.
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- James Madison II (WR): Announced his intent to transfer early in December.
- Brendon Haygood (RB): Looking for more playing time elsewhere.
- Marquise Davis (RB): Another casualty of the crowded backfield.
It’s just the nature of the beast now. If you aren't starting by your second year, you're probably looking for a new home.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Schedule
Since you're clearly hungry for Mizzou football, you might want to mark your calendars for next fall. The 2026 schedule is already out, and it's a gauntlet.
They open the season on September 5, 2026, against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Faurot Field. The big one follows immediately: a road trip to Lawrence to play Kansas on September 12. That’s going to be a bloodbath.
Mizzou also has home games against Florida (Homecoming on October 3), Texas A&M, Texas, and Kentucky. They finish the year at home against Oklahoma on November 28. It’s a schedule designed to either make them or break them.
Actionable Next Steps for Mizzou Fans
If you’re missing the Tigers and the missouri university football score today isn't giving you the fix you need, here is how to stay in the loop:
- Watch the Basketball Team: If you need a score right now, the Mizzou men's basketball team just played LSU yesterday. They lost 78-70, but it was a close game until the very end.
- Track the Portal: Keep an eye on the 247Sports Transfer Portal tracker. The window for players to enter is technically closing, but commitments will be trickling in all spring.
- Check Recruiting Classes: Look into the 2026 commits. Drinkwitz has been leaning heavily into the "Home State" hero narrative, and it's starting to pay off with some local four-star talent.
- Re-watch the Border Showdown: If you’re feeling nostalgic, go back and watch the 2025 Mizzou vs. Kansas highlights. It was easily the best game of the season.
The football score today might be 0-0, but the work for the 2026 season has already begun in the weight room and the recruiting office.