HOUSTON, October 5, 2026 — Missouri head football coach Eli Drinkwitz has been named Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Week following the No. 25 Tigers’ dominant 45-17 homecoming victory over No. 8 Florida.
The 28-point margin of victory was Missouri’s largest ever against a top-10 team.
The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, presents the Bear Bryant Awards annually to celebrate excellence in coaching, to honor Coach Bryant’s legacy and to raise awareness and critical funds for its mission. The coaching legend died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement.
The teams traded scores through the first half, with the Gators evening the game at 10-10 with 4:26 to play until halftime. The game turned for Missouri on the next possession, as Austin Simmons connected with Caleb Goodie, Sr. on a 31-yard touchdown pass to give Mizzou a 17-10 lead, and Craig Black knocked home a 50-yard field goal as time expired to send the Tigers into the half with a 20-10 lead.
Those ten points kick-started a run of 35 consecutive points for the Tigers, who held Florida off the scoreboard until the final minute of the contest.
Simmons completed 23 of 30 passes for a career-high 340 yards and two touchdowns in the win, but it was the Tigers’ defense that may have turned in the most impressive performance of the day, holding Florida to just 325 yards of total offense – 94 of those coming on the Gators’ final possession against Tigers reserves. Florida was able to rush for just 42 yards in the contest – the previous season-low for the Gators was 214 yards – and Missouri became the first team to hold Florida without a rushing touchdown this season.
The Tigers return to action on Saturday, Oct. 10, hosting Texas A&M in Columbia.
Each week through the remainder of the season, the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards will recognize a coach for leading their team to an exceptional victory. The Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Week is chosen by a committee of national college football media members. Drinkwitz’s selection follows previous selections of Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell, Ole Miss’ Pete Golding, Oklahoma State Eric Morris, Western Michigan’s Lance Taylor and Memphis’ Charles Huff.
Fans can follow the lead up to January’s annual Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards Ceremony at facebook.com/bryantawards, x.com/bryantawards or Instagram.com/bryantawards or the hashtag #BryantAwards. To attend the exclusive, VIP experience visit bryantawards.org.
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