What Is 1973 Missouri Tigers football team

Overview

The 1973 Missouri Tigers football team marked a transitional year for the University of Missouri's program following the departure of long-time head coach Dan Devine, who left to become head coach of the Green Bay Packers. Al Onofrio, previously the team’s defensive line coach, was promoted to head coach, making 1973 his first season at the helm.

The Tigers competed in the NCAA University Division (now known as Division I-A) as members of the Big Eight Conference. They played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Columbia and finished the season with a modest 6–5 overall record, including a 4–3 mark in conference play, placing them in the middle of the Big Eight standings.

• Overall record: The team finished with a 6–5 win-loss record, marking a slight decline from the previous season’s 7–5 mark under Devine.
• Conference performance: Missouri went 4–3 in Big Eight play, tying for fourth place in the seven-team conference standings.
• Head coach: Al Onofrio took over as head coach in 1973, becoming the first Missouri alum to lead the program since 1917.
• Home stadium: All home games were played at Memorial Stadium, which had a capacity of approximately 62,000 at the time.
• Notable victory: The Tigers defeated archrival Kansas 24–3 in the annual Border War game, improving their series lead.

Season Highlights and Key Games

The 1973 season featured several memorable performances and pivotal matchups that defined Missouri’s campaign. While the team did not qualify for a bowl game, several contests showcased the Tigers’ resilience and competitive spirit.

• Season opener: Missouri opened with a 28–7 win over Colorado State, setting a positive tone under new head coach Al Onofrio.
• Loss to Oklahoma: The Tigers fell 27–14 to the #6 ranked Oklahoma Sooners, who went on to win the Big Eight title.
• Upset win: Missouri defeated #15 ranked Nebraska 35–31 in Lincoln, a rare road victory over a ranked opponent.
• Defensive effort: The team held Kansas State to just 10 points in a 20–10 win, showcasing improved defensive discipline.
• Season finale: The Tigers closed the season with a 24–3 win over Kansas, securing the Governor’s Cup for the second consecutive year.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1973 season can be best understood by comparing it to the previous year’s performance under Dan Devine. Key metrics such as win totals, conference record, and scoring differential highlight the team’s consistency despite leadership changes.

This comparison shows that despite the change in leadership, Missouri maintained a similar level of performance. The offense produced slightly fewer points in 1973, and the team narrowly missed a bowl-eligible record, falling just one win short of postseason qualification.

Why It Matters

The 1973 season is significant as a bridge between eras in Missouri football history. It reflected the challenges of transitioning from a legendary coach to a homegrown successor and set the foundation for future program development.

• Leadership shift: The promotion of Al Onofrio signaled Missouri’s commitment to internal development and loyalty to program alumni.
• Competitive continuity: Maintaining a .500 conference record showed the team remained competitive despite coaching changes.
• Rivalry dominance: The win over Kansas extended Missouri’s momentum in the long-standing Border War series.
• Player development: Several underclassmen gained experience that contributed to future seasons under Onofrio.
• Program stability: Avoiding a major downturn helped preserve recruiting momentum during a transitional period.
• Historical context: The 1973 season is remembered as a steady, if unspectacular, year in Missouri’s football timeline.

While not a championship-caliber season, the 1973 Missouri Tigers demonstrated resilience and consistency during a period of change, laying groundwork for the years that followed.