COLUMBIA, Mo. – For the first time this season, Matt Zollers is officially listed as Missouri's QB1 on the depth chart.  

But the shift from Beau Pribula to Zollers means more than than a reordering of names on a piece of paper. The quarterback is often the heart and soul of their team; the driving force, the face the rest turn to when times get tough. 

There's a major shift coming both on and off the field, and Zollers is ready to lead his Tigers through it.

"We knew he was the future of the program at the quarterback position," head coach Eli Drinkwitz said. "But the future is now."

He's been thrust into a role he never expected to have so soon, but it's in his DNA to step up.

"I think there's just something about quarterbacks that just have this innate ability to lead," Drinkwitz said. "They have a belief in themselves. They're kind of gunslingers, fighter pilots, quarterbacks, right? And Matt's got all those attributes and it's his time, so he's ready to roll."

Zollers' already exhibited those traits in his chaotic performance against Vanderbilt. He threw for 138 yards and one touchdown in less than one half of action, pushing downfield for three successful drives setting the Tigers up in scoring position, one of which resulted in his touchdown. 

In the darkest moment of Missouri's season: Trailing on the road, down its starting quarterback and facing an essential playoff elimination, Zollers stepped up and showed that "innate ability" to lead.

"Courage, fearlessness," center Connor Tollison said. "He did everything he could when his number was called. Ultimately, that's all you can ask."

Zollers' showed that courage and fearlessness on a whims notice, with no expectations of entering the game even 15 minutes before his first drive. Zollers' unexpected entrance to the game also meant Drinkwitz and offensive coordinator Kirby Moore had no time to design a game plan for Zollers. 

He pushed the ball downfield at a quicker rate than many previous Pribula-led drives, and flashed throws on the run, through tight coverage and deep downfield balls. Some of what appears to be Zollers' strengths weren't the same as Pribula's fortes. 

"It's about playing to what (Zollers') strengths are," Drinkwitz said. "Are there things that we're going to add? Probably not, because he hasn't had a ton of reps of it, but are there things that he's more comfortable with than maybe Beau was? Absolutely. so we can push those things in the playbook that maybe haven't been shown. You know? There were things that that we thought Beau did really well, that that's what we kind of emphasize, and there's things that Matt does well that we will emphasize."

Pribula's rushing game and short throws were his bread-and-butter, while Zollers' seems to have a greater pocket presence and throws on the run seem to highlight his. They aren't polar opposites, but there's enough differences in each of their games to warrant playcalling changes.

While play calling changes are likely to occur, there's also a chance the Tigers shake up other areas of the depth chart. Players who may have not particularly clicked with Pribula may with Zollers, and vice-versa. 

A top name that stands out is redshirt freshman tight end Jude James, who's season total of six catches, 81 yards and two touchdowns have all come from Zollers' passes. Both of Zollers' passing touchdowns this season have been to James as well, further establishing the pairs' connection.

James has established himself as a useful player in many roles. 

 "Very consistent," Drinkwitz said of James. "Obviously, he's got playmaking, mobility with ball in his hand, does really good job running routes physical. You know, as a guy that we identified as an athlete because he played defense, was a key special teams guy that we thought could help us and knew to play, as an agent, has really embraced, you know, the opportunities that he's had."

Don't be surprised if other younger players, who've spent more time getting reps and developing a connection with Zollers' on the second-string in practice, get an increased role on Saturday's. Freshmen who make their way on the field like Zollers and James are ready for the lights. 

“Yeah, I don't think it's pressure. I think it's a privilege and an opportunity for them to play. They've earned it."