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Two Missouri Tigers have received weekly accolades from the Southeastern Conference in the wake of their team's 45-17 dismantling of then-No. 8 Florida on Saturday. Quarterback Austin Simmons was named co-SEC offensive player of the week, while linebacker Nicholas Rodriguez earned co-defensive player of the week recognition.
Simmons delivered a standout performance against the Gators, throwing for a season-best 340 yards and two touchdowns while completing 23 of his 30 pass attempts. This marks the second time this season he has claimed the award, having previously won it after a 292-yard, three-touchdown outing against Kansas.
Running back Jamal Roberts also made a strong case for the honor, rushing for a career-high 211 yards and three touchdowns, including two carries that went for at least 77 yards.
Simmons has continued to attract national attention with his exceptional play, showcasing tight-window throws, poise in the pocket, a powerful arm, and composure under pressure. He has built a compelling argument as the best Missouri quarterback since Drew Lock, who last played for the Tigers in 2018 and has since had a lengthy NFL career. On the season, Simmons has accumulated 1,287 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and no interceptions.
Rodriguez shared the defensive award with Tennessee safety Dejuan Lane. The linebacker totaled 11 tackles, 1.5 of which were for loss, and played a key role in holding Florida running back Jadan Baugh to just 13 rushing yards. He also received a Pro Football Focus grade of 78.6, the second-highest among Missouri defenders in the game. The contest marked Rodriguez's fourth consecutive game with double-digit tackles.
Rodriguez is the second Tiger to win the award this season, following defensive end Daeden Hopkins, who split the honor after the Kansas game and then won it outright after a 3.5-sack performance against Mississippi State.
Now ranked No. 14, Missouri holds a 4-1 overall record and a 1-1 mark in SEC play. The Tigers will next host unranked Texas A&M at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The Aggies have defeated Missouri handily in each of the last two meetings.