Although the outcome never was in doubt, the 25th ranked Missouri Tigers celebrated the official opening of the $250 million north end zone project on Thursday with a season-opening 54-14 thumping of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
The 244,000-squre-foot Memorial Stadium Centennial Project increases stadium capacity to just more than 63,600 with more than 4,300 new seats and a variety of other amenities and attractions that were featured during a media tour and press conference on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, in Thursday’s season opener, quarterback Austin Simmons dazzled in his Missouri debut, throwing for 252 yards and four touchdowns in less than two quarters of play. Simmons was 17 of 19 through the air before giving way to Mizzou backup Matt Zoellers late in the first half. The Tigers amassed 33 first downs in outgaining Arkansas-Pine Bluff 562-198.
