Missouri quarterback Sam Horn sustained a devastating injury on his first snap during Thursday night’s game against Central Arkansas, remaining sidelined for the entirety of the Tigers’ 61-6 victory. The incident has placed pressure on the quarterback competition, particularly between Horn and Penn State transfer Beau Pribula, with the latter now looking poised to secure the starting position.
Horn, a redshirt junior, entered the game during the second series with the Tigers already leading 6-0. He ran the ball 6 yards on his first play before appearing to take a hit to the lower body, which led to him being helped off the field by medical staff. Head coach Eliah Drinkwitz expressed his disappointment over the injury and its impact on the game’s momentum.
Pribula finished 23-of-28 passing for 283 yards and two touchdowns, adding another 65 yards and two scores on the ground. Drinkwitz praised Pribula’s performance, stating that he ‘did a nice job handling the situation’ despite the loss of Horn. The incident has solidified Pribula’s position as the starting quarterback for Missouri, with the team awaiting more details on Horn’s injury after an MRI.
With both players having had prior struggles with injuries, the competition for the starting role at Missouri has become a focal point of the team’s 2024 season. While the Tigers dominated the game, the injury to Horn has left the coaching staff concerned about his ability to return to full health in time for the upcoming season.
This development will have long-term implications for the team’s offensive strategies, particularly given the impact of a reliable starting quarterback on the success of the program. The situation also highlights the high stakes involved in college football and the challenges faced by young athletes who must navigate intense competition and physical demands at the collegiate level.
As the Tigers prepare for the remainder of the season, the focus will be on ensuring that both players recover fully and that the team’s offensive line and support system remain strong enough to accommodate any changes in the quarterback situation.