Let’s overreact — because why not? Missouri’s season opener was supposed to be the conclusion of a tight quarterback battle. Instead, it became the opening scene of possibly a new era for Missouri football. In front of a home crowd expecting clarity, Beau Pribula delivered something bigger: certainty. And swagger to say the least. This could be the start of something special in Columbia that no one saw coming.
Beau Pribula Takes Control Under Center at Missouri
Beau’s Breakout
In a 61–6 dismantling of Central Arkansas, Pribula delivered a near-flawless performance in his first real chance to take the reins. He completed 23 of 28 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 65 yards and two more scores. From his first snap, he looked like he belonged, showing no fear. Not just as Missouri’s serviceable starting quarterback but as the face of the offense that can lead them to new heights.
His first drive? A 49-yard bomb to wide receiver Marquis Johnson that set the tone. His next two? Back-to-back 99-yard scoring drives that showcased his ability to stretch the field and sustain long, composed marches. He wasn’t just racking up yards, he was orchestrating the offense how the coaches all expected it to be. It was an offense with rhythm, command, and confidence.
More importantly, his impact extended beyond the box score. Pribula was decisive and efficient. He operated with poise that belied his limited in-game experience with the Tigers. The team rallied around him instantly. The offense looked smooth, fast, and dangerous.
Taking the Torch
The moment wasn’t exactly scripted this way. Sam Horn, Pribula’s competition for the starting job, suffered a knee injury on the very first play of the game. That misfortune opened the door — and Pribula didn’t hesitate. It’s the kind of opening where careers change. Players who are confident, which Beau is, know all they need is an opportunity and they’ll seize it.
Head coach Eliah Drinkwitz, who had kept the QB competition open throughout fall camp, didn’t wait long after the game to make it official. Pribula had earned the starting job. According to the coaching staff, the battle was always close but this performance left no room for doubt. Hearing that seems to be a testament of how good Sam Horn was playing in camp because Pribula has shown what he’s already shown. Drinkwitz had praised Pribula’s preparation and work ethic throughout the offseason, noting his “chip on the shoulder” mentality. That edge was clear as day from snap one to when the game clock struck zeros.
Border War Brilliance
Any notion that Pribula’s Week 1 explosion was a one-time event got silenced the following Saturday against Kansas. For those saying it was a one week wonder and it was against inferior competition have some points but this game added to the resume of the rise of Beau. In the renewal of the storied Border War, the first meeting between the two rivals since 2011, Missouri fell behind 21–6 early. But Pribula didn’t flinch. He rallied the Tigers with an incredible performance, throwing for 334 yards and three touchdowns while completing 30 of 39 passes. Near flawless numbers after a rough start.
He led Missouri to a 42–31 win, showing not only his talent but his toughness and leadership. Going down early like that in a rivalry gave none the less is never easy for any quarterback, never mind someone making their second career start. This wasn’t a stat-padding game against an overmatched team, like we saw in week 1, this was a rivalry win fueled by resilience and poise against a feisty Kansas Jayhawks team. Pribula looked like a quarterback who had total control, navigating pressure, extending plays, and keeping the offense calm even when the scoreboard wasn’t.
The performance earned him national recognition — he was named the Maxwell Award National Player of the Week. Just two games in, and he’s no longer a curiosity or a promising transfer. He’s Missouri’s present and, increasingly, its future.
The New QB1
Pribula may have entered the season as a question mark, but two weeks in, he’s answered nearly everything. The stats are impressive: nearly 600 yards through the air, seven total touchdowns, and over 75 percent completion. But it’s the intangibles that set him apart: the command, the urgency, the energy, the leadership.
He’s not only just producing numbers to add to his own success — he’s elevating the team around him. There’s much more to do and more to come along the way but the early impressions are great.
Plenty of bigger tests lying ahead with their SEC conference schedule on the horizon. But through two games, Missouri has found its quarterback and if teams allow him to continue gaining confidence, watch out because this can be a season for the history books in Columbia.
Pribula brings a dual-threat dynamic that keeps defenses guessing and teammates believing. The Tigers’ offense feels faster, sharper, and more dangerous with him in command. It’s Beau time in Columbia. And if the early signs are any indication, Missouri football might just be on the rise again.
Isn’t that BEAU-tiful?
Main Image: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
