Simmons impresses in final fall scrimmage

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Drinkwitz gives a rundown of how it went. Still no date for a Hardy return. Drinkwitz says he wants to see 2 full weeks of practice for Hardy before he can play in games.

https://www.columbiamissourian.com/spor ... 5f4fd.html

By Michael Stamps and Joey Van Zummeren, Columbia Missourian

Mizzou running back Ahmad Hardy will not be available for the Tigers’ season opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sept. 3, coach Eli Drinkwitz revealed in a news conference Saturday. Drinkwitz says there is no clear timetable for his return.

“Ahmad is working his rear end off,” Drinkwitz said. “He’s doing everything we can ask him to do, but just not going to be able to be ready for that first game.”

Drinkwitz wants to see Hardy go at practice for a full two weeks before he can see the field in a game. ESPN’s Pete Thamel initially reported that a mid-September return was the target for Hardy, while Drinkwitz said he wants him back as “soon as possible.”

“I just know that right now we needed a full two-week ramp-up period of practice before we would have allowed him to play the game, and that time frame has passed,” Drinkwitz said. “So, does that mean mid-September? I don’t know. Does it mean mid-October? I don’t know. I need a two-week fully invested, being able to practice at full speed before we consider playing him in a game.”

MU’s trainers and the rest of the coaching staff are taking the time needed to get Hardy back to full strength.

“We’re going to do the very best by him and his team and our medical team,” Drinkwitz said. “Just feel like right now it’s in his best interest to hold off. So I want to make sure that I get that out there to the fans now so there’s no false hope there.”

Senior Jamal Roberts has assumed the lead back role in Hardy’s absence. He’s emerged as a productive runner in the backfield while also flexing his leadership muscles.

Drinkwitz told reporters that Roberts was named a captain by his teammates Friday. Behind Roberts in the running back room are Xai’Shaun Edwards, Malae Fonoti and Max Warner, three players who have some hints of production in their pasts but have yet to do it in the Southeastern Conference.

In Missouri’s closed scrimmage to end fall camp Saturday night, quarterback Austin Simmons started fast and made several “really big-time throws,” Drinkwitz said in a rundown of the event.

On the first drive, Simmons had no incompletions and ended it with a touchdown pass of what Drinkwitz estimated to be 35-40 yards to wide receiver Caleb Goodie down the middle of the field.

A transfer from Cincinnati, Goodie has the type of speed that makes him one of the best deep threats in Missouri’s offense.

“Just knowing his speed, being able to get him downfield and get the ball in his hands,” wide receiver Donovan Olugbode said of Goodie. “Great to have (him) on the team.”

On the second drive, Simmons threw a pass to the back shoulder of Olugbode for a touchdown.

[winonsports]

That's great for Simmons, but Mizzou "fans" seem more concerned about a summer intern who wasn't eventually hired by the company and is heading back to school.

[edwin drood]

Anyone know what the asshat is talking about?

[abnerdoubled]

Anyone know what the asshat is talking about?

Anybody care ?

[Lightning Rod]

Anyone know what the asshat is talking about?

Anybody care ?

No!

[MIDMOBIRDTWO]

Anyone know what the asshat is talking about?

I have it on ignore so I do not have to figure out what it is trying to spit out. Thank you all for not quoting it.

[dhsux]

It's actually pretty funny how the creep talks to himself on here.

Pretty sure it's the best meds he takes all day.

[dhsux]

Back to subject matter that does mean something.......it will be more than interesting to see who Simmons connects with on the field as his faves.

Lots of choices here.........Goode, Olug, Lee.......Roberts on the outlet.....friggen Norfleet listed at 260 lbs!

Buckle up people!

[edwin drood]

Back to subject matter that does mean something.......it will be more than interesting to see who Simmons connects with on the field as his faves.

Lots of choices here.........Goode, Olug, Lee.......Roberts on the outlet.....friggen Norfleet listed at 260 lbs!

Buckle up people!

I'm anxious to see who, if anyone, can compliment Roberts in the backfield. Also, since the secondary is almost entirely new, can they limit the opponent's passing game?

[winonsports]

I'm anxious to see who, if anyone, can compliment Roberts in the backfield. Also, since the secondary is almost entirely new, can they limit the opponent's passing game?

This was in the article.

"Behind Roberts in the running back room are Xai’Shaun Edwards, Malae Fonoti and Max Warner, "

If they play RB for Drink, then there's no reason to form a question with IF ANYONE.

[edwin drood]

I'm anxious to see who, if anyone, can compliment Roberts in the backfield. Also, since the secondary is almost entirely new, can they limit the opponent's passing game?

This was in the article.

"Behind Roberts in the running back room are Xai’Shaun Edwards, Malae Fonoti and Max Warner, "

If they play RB for Drink, then there's no reason to form a question with IF ANYONE.

I can't find the stats I'm seeking. How many yards have those 3 totaled in the SEC?

[icon]

Back to subject matter that does mean something.......it will be more than interesting to see who Simmons connects with on the field as his faves.

Lots of choices here.........Goode, Olug, Lee.......Roberts on the outlet.....friggen Norfleet listed at 260 lbs!

Buckle up people!

I'm anxious to see who, if anyone, can compliment Roberts in the backfield. Also, since the secondary is almost entirely new, can they limit the opponent's passing game?

Complement, please. Unless you meant another RB to heap praise on Roberts.

[winonsports]

I'm anxious to see who, if anyone, can compliment Roberts in the backfield. Also, since the secondary is almost entirely new, can they limit the opponent's passing game?

This was in the article.

"Behind Roberts in the running back room are Xai’Shaun Edwards, Malae Fonoti and Max Warner, "

If they play RB for Drink, then there's no reason to form a question with IF ANYONE.

I can't find the stats I'm seeking. How many yards have those 3 totaled in the SEC?

The same amount as Hardy and Roberts had, when they stepped onto Faurot Field for the first time.

[jcgmoi]

Just questions today.

Is Zollers a clear #2? Has he fully recovered from his injury last year? Have any of the freshmen QBs shown enough to inspire confidence if they were forced to play? When did Garrett Riley come aboard?

[winonsports]

Just questions today.

Is Zollers a clear #2? Has he fully recovered from his injury last year? Have any of the freshmen QBs shown enough to inspire confidence if they were forced to play? When did Garrett Riley come aboard?

Yes.

Yes. If he wasn't, then the first answer would be no.

Gavin Sidwar.

January 2026

[HoopsGuruII]

Just questions today.

Is Zollers a clear #2? Has he fully recovered from his injury last year? Have any of the freshmen QBs shown enough to inspire confidence if they were forced to play? When did Garrett Riley come aboard?

Garrett Riley, the former offensive coordinator at Clemson, TCU and SMU, joined the Mizzou staff in January of 2026 to coach the Tigers quarterbacks.

His first season in Columbia he inherits a quarterback room that features transfers Austin Simmons and Nick Evers along with Matt Zollers who returns after making three starts as a true freshman and incoming true freshman Gavin Sidwar.

Riley arrives in CoMo after serving as Clemson’s offensive coordinator and quarterback coach for the past three seasons, overseeing the development of QB Cade Klubnik. In 2025, Clemson ranked 22nd nationally throwing for 267.8 YPG. Klubnik threw 16 touchdowns and 2,943 this past season and 9,426 yards and 71 touchdowns during his three years with Riley.