Missouri football is set to kick off its season on a Thursday for the third consecutive year, as announced by the Southeastern Conference on Tuesday. The Tigers’ home opener against Murray State, originally slated for August 31, will now take place on August 29. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. at Memorial Stadium and will be broadcasted on SEC Network.
Coach Eli Drinkwitz expressed excitement about the Thursday night season opener, highlighting its positive impact on attendance and the creation of a vibrant atmosphere in previous seasons. Missouri started the 2023 season with a 35-10 victory over South Dakota and the 2022 campaign with a 52-24 win over Louisiana Tech.
In 2023, eleven games were played on the Thursday before Labor Day, with seven featuring Power Five teams. This scheduling minimizes competition, drawing more attention to Columbia from neutral viewers.
Murray State, under new coach Jody Wright, will look to improve upon their 2-9 record from the previous season, including a 1-7 mark in Missouri Valley Conference play. Wright, who succeeded Dean Hood following his retirement after the 2023 campaign, will make his coaching debut in this game.
