Welcome to the MV3, a weekly piece where Rock M Nation’s staff votes on the three most impactful players in Mizzou’s previous game.
1. Marcus Carroll
Matt Bush-Imagn Images
Much has been made of Missouri’s four-headed monster in the backfield — Nate Noel, Marcus Carroll, Jamal Roberts and even Kewan Lacy. But when it came time to grind MIssissippi State’s defense into a fine powder on Saturday night, Carroll was Kirby Moore’s blunt instrument of choice. Carroll didn’t lead the team in rushing attempts, yards or yards per carry. But his bruising style kept the Bulldog defense huffing and puffing for the majority of the second half, and his three touchdowns brought him to 10 total on the season.
2. Luther Burden III
Matt Bush-Imagn Images
Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I did have a thought on Saturday morning that we might be in for a “Luther Burden game” against Mississippi State. And while it wasn’t among the best of his fine career, it was a pretty prototypical LB3 outing nonetheless. Burden was greased lightning with the ball in his hands, regularly picking up chunk yardage after the catch and evading Mississippi State defenders like the plague. His 28-yard touchdown catch was a classic of the Cook-to-Burden genre, with Cook’s pinpoint ball turning around a defender while Burden made a catch against the momentum of his body. It doesn’t quite make up for his amazing play last week being turned into comeback fodder, but it’s a nice consolation prize.
3. Drake Heismeyer
Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
USA Today’s latest photo of Heismeyer is from the Oklahoma game. Getty’s? From Ohio State last December. That’s how under-the-rader Heismeyer is. But with Connor Tollison out, the former Francis Howell Viking has been thrust into the starting center role for a Top 25 SEC unit. And against Mississippi State, Heismeyer was a force. His night wasn’t perfect, but his presence on the interior enabled Mizzou to go on a second-half smash-and-grab, keeping the ball away from the Bulldogs for the vast majority of the half. He’ll get a nice reception during senior night next week, and the Tigers won’t miss Tollison too much if Heismeyer continues to play at a high level.
Others receiving votes: Daylan Carnell, Offensive Line, Kristian Williams
What do you think? Did we get it right? Let us know in the comments or on Rock M+!