MV3: Rountree carries home the top spot after three-touchdown day

I’ve got to be honest with y’all, these MV3 posts are way more fun after a day like Saturday.

As you’ll soon learn, there were a few obvious choices for the MV3 after Mizzou’s dominant 41-0 win over Vanderbilt. But to achieve a 41-point victory, a team needs to be firing on all cylinders, meaning there are likely to be several worthy candidates. We had a number of players get votes and even more (special shouts to Trajan Jeffcoat) just miss the ballot for several of our writers.

In the end though, there were at least two players who were undeniable against the Commodores. And like last week, two more players tied for the final spot.

1. Larry Rountree III

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

It was a career day for Rountree, which is saying a lot for the second all-time leading rusher in a Mizzou uniform. The senior averaged 7.6 yards per carry (good lord, man), while tallying 160 yards on the ground. To boot, he tallied a 23-yard catch out of the backfield.

Oh, did we mention he found the end zone three times? If Missouri wants to reach 6 wins (maybe 7 with a bowl?) Rountree figures to be the offensive juggernaut to get them there.

2. Nick Bolton

Nine solo tackles. Two tackles for loss. One sack. One near-interception.

Seriously, put this guy in amber.

T-3. Tyler Badie

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Personally, I’m a little surprised Badie didn’t end up higher on this list. The junior was electric against Vanderbilt, looking every bit like the most talented pass-catcher on Missouri’s roster. He turned dump-offs into explosive plays and looked untouchable in the open field. He didn’t have as much success on the ground as Rountree, but Badie’s job is as a change-of-pace back. He’s proving to be one of the best in the country in that role.

T-3. Larry Borom

Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images

It should come as no surprise that on a day when the running backs totaled 300+ yards from scrimmage, we’re showing the offensive line a little love. Borom stands out specifically, with the right tackle having missed several games due to injury. In his return, Borom returned to his bulldozing ways, opening lanes for Rountree and Badie while keeping Bazelak clean (outside of the end of the first half.) Borom has emerged as a genuine star in the trenches, and should find himself earning a paycheck on Sundays sooner or later.

Honorable Mention — Sarah Fuller

Photo by Hunter Dyke/Mizzou Athletics via Getty Images

I know she’s not a Tiger, but we’d be remiss if we ignored what happened at the beginning of the second half on Saturday. The first woman to play in a Power 5 football game... EVER. The little kid in me who always played with the boys growing up cheered triumphantly, and I know little girls around the country did the same, because if Sarah could do it, they could do it, too. What a moment. I don’t know about you all, but I would have been okay with scrapping the shutout in favor of Fuller getting to kick the first (and hopefully not last) field goal of her football career.— Karen Steger

Others receiving votes: Connor Bazelak, Tauskie Dove

What do you think? Did we get it right? Who were your most valuable players of the game? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter at @RockMNation.