Report: Missouri moving kickoff time of Louisiana game due to heat concerns

Kick-off for Saturday’s game between No. 25 Missouri and Louisiana at Faurot Field has been moved from 3:00 p.m. CT to 12:00 p.m. CT due to heat concerns. The report came via 247Sports on Thursday afternoon.

The change was made due to reported heat concerns in the Columbia area. According to multiple weather outlets, the temperature was projected to be around 96-97 degrees around the 3 p.m. CT kickoff. At noon, forecasts are calling for weather around 91 degrees.

Saturday’s matchup against the Ragin’ Cajuns serves as a final tune-up game for Missouri before it opens SEC play at home against No. 11 South Carolina on Sept. 20. The Tigers opened the season unranked, but wins over Central Arkansas (61-6) and Kansas (42-31) have propelled them into the AP Top 25 Poll.

As a team, Missouri is averaging 577.5 yards of offense (5th most in NCAA) and 51.5 points per game (11th most in NCAA) and looks to continue that success this weekend against Louisiana. The emergence of quarterback Beau Pribula has been massive for coach Eli Drinkwitz and the Tigers as they look to prove themselves as legit contenders in the Southeastern Conference.

Pribula was stellar in Missouri‘s 42-31 win over Kansas in the “Border War,” as he passed for 334 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. After not even being named the starter to open the year, Pribula boasts 617 passing yards (second in SEC), five touchdowns and no interceptions through two games.

Drinkwitz challenged fans to pack Faurot Field no matter the opponent

Although Louisiana may not be a big-name team on the schedule, Drinkwitz took the podium following the Kansas win to challenge fans. Drinkwitz said to always make Faurot Field a rowdy environment, no matter what.

“First I wanna say how much I appreciate the fans,” Drinkwitz said postgame. “Atmosphere all day from SEC Nation to kick-off to fourth quarter. I think our fans really showed up and showed out. I think this was the Missouri that I’ve always believed in and dreamed in. But I’m gonna challenge that this is the expectation moving forward.

“It’s not just about beating Kansas, it’s about being like this all the time. So I’m gonna encourage our fans to continue to do this. It shouldn’t be about a team we play once. It should be the expectation of our program moving forward that the energy and passion shows up all the time. Incredibly proud of our team.”