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Built the Same Way: Mizzou, Virginia Bring Shared Run-Game Roots Into Gator Bowl

On Dec. 27, the Missouri Tigers football team and Virginia Cavaliers football team will meet in the Gator Bowl at EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida for a rare bowl matchup.
When Eli Drinkwitz studies Virginia's tape, he sees a familiar run-first identity rooted in the wide zone offensive scheme traced through Appalachian State, NC State, and coaches like Dwayne Ledford.
Ahmad Hardy has 1,560 rushing yards this season and fits Missouri's patient, decisive rushing style, backed by the Missouri offensive line and wide zone concepts.
With a record within reach, Ahmad Hardy needs 68 yards to surpass Cody Schrader's Mizzou single-season record of 1,627 yards, and a win would tie Missouri program's best three-year stretch with 30 wins since 2023.
Coaches will measure which iteration of the scheme holds the edge in the Gator Bowl matchup, testing run-first philosophies and the wide zone scheme emphasizing space, patience, and a decisive cut.

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25 Articles

The Daily Progress

+3 Reposted by 3 other sources

Center

No. 20 Virginia football could be without top RB, WR in Gator Bowl vs. No. 25 Missouri

Virginia football could be without top running back J'Mari Taylor and wide receiver Trell Harris for Saturday's Gator Bowl.

20 hours ago

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KAKE News

+17 Reposted by 17 other sources

Center

Built the same way: Mizzou, Virginia bring shared run-game roots into Gator Bowl

Eli Drinkwitz and Des Kitchings learned the same wide zone blueprint years ago. Now their run-first teams meet in the Gator Bowl.

2 days ago

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St Louis Post-Dispatch

Lean Left

Mizzou, Virginia coaches know each other from past jobs: 'We battled many years in the ACC'

Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz has faced or worked with Virginia's head coach, offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator at his previous jobs.

2 days ago·St. Louis, United States

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Columbia Daily Tribune

Lean Left

Missouri football vs Virginia Gator Bowl scouting report, prediction

Here is what you need to know about Virginia before Missouri football faces off against the Cavaliers in the Gator Bowl on Dec. 27.

2 days ago

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Sports Chat Place

Virginia vs Missouri Prediction Football Picks Today 12/27/25

In this article, we will formulate a Virginia vs Missouri Prediction for this College Football Bowl Game on Saturday, December 27th. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Football matchup. Missouri Tigers Preview Missouri has an 8-4 record this season and finished 4-4 in the SEC. They are coming off a 31-17 road win against Arkansas. Offensively, Missouri averages 32.2 points per game, ranking 30th in the nation, while defensively…

3 days ago

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