Mizzou Links, 8-15-11

There is one more MIZZOUEXPANSIONAPALOOZA™ 2011 post coming later in the day, but consider the Links post your MIZZOUEXPANSIONAPALOOZA™-free zone. We have scrimmages, fun fights and Marcus Denmon to discuss!

Scrimmage No. 1 Links

Hey, remember when ghtd36 and RPT fought over who was going to love Kendial Lawrence the most and whether he was going to win four Heismans or whether the NCAA would grant him a fifth year of eligibility just so he could win a fifth? And remember how he was mostly silent his freshman season? Well ... that rumble you hear in the background is the two fighting for position in the front car of the bandwagon once again. Mister Lawrence is having himself one helluva fall camp thus far.

• The Trib (Dave Matter): Defense captures first scrimmage

  First, a few injuries to report, none bigger than a sprained left shoulder suffered by starting defensive end Brad Madison. Madison rushed into the backfield to sack Corbin Berkstresser and landed awkwardly on his left arm. He was rushed into the locker room alongside team surgeon Pat Smith and trainer Rex Sharp. Gary Pinkel said Madison was scheduled to undergo an X-ray and MRI but trainers indicated they didn’t think it was a serious injury. Pinkel said Madison will probably miss at least a few days.

  Also, starting outside receiver Wes Kemp suffered a hip pointer while landing in the end zone on an otherwise terrific diving catch of a 30-yard James Franklin touchdown pass. Defensive tackle Jimmy Burge has a concussion, tight end Steve Drain sprained his left knee and starting strong safety Kenji Jackson pulled his hamstring. "That happens," Pinkel said. "That’s why backup players have to be ready. We don’t whine about things like that. The good news is all these guys are going to get back."

  The Trib (Dave Matter): Saturday Scrimmage Stats
• The Trib: Lawrence shines in sloppy MU football scrimmage
• MUtigers.com: Defense Claims First Scrimmage
• PowerMizzou: Off and running
  PowerMizzou: 'Little things', big returns

  Throughout the early portion of Missouri's preseason camp, Gary Pinkel repeated that the Tigers' coaching staff is hoping one running back separates himself from the pack.
  
  On Saturday, Kendial Lawrence took Pinkel's desire and ran for it.
  
  The junior from Rockwall, Texas, carried the ball eight times for 133 yards. The majority of those yards came on back-to-back plays from scrimmage. Each time, Lawrence took the hand off and didn't stop until he was 60 yards upfield, standing in the endzone.

• The Missourian: Missouri has clear starting running back in Kendial Lawrence

  "I was pressing my point (of attack)," Lawrence said of the first run. "There was a gap, and I just hit it. The coaches always say to just hit it, don’t (hesitate), just hit it."

  The back-to-back touchdown runs were so impressive that Franklin (16-of-23 passing for 187 yards) claimed they made him get his act together.

  "It started with Kendial running the ball," Franklin said. "Once I saw him, it was like, ‘Hey, he knows what he’s doing. I need to know what I’m doing.’ That kicked me into another gear."

• Post-Dispatch: Injuries, tiffs, long TD runs mark Mizzou scrimmage

  Among other highlights were linebacker Will Ebner's 10-yard interception return for a TD, a tremendous 34-yard sideline reception by Marcus Lucas and two tackles for loss by newcomer Sheldon Richardson. Third-team quarterback Jimmy Costello completed 12 of 13 passes.
  
  But it was junior Kendial Lawrence's two 60-yard touchdown bursts that marked the practice as he makes a bid to be the feature back.
  
  The session also featured two fights, including one between defensive end Kony Ealy and guard Justin Britt that got them ejected from practice by Pinkel.
  
  Earlier, receiver T.J. Moe and linebacker Luke Lambert brawled, rather inexplicably.
  
  "I don't even really know what started my fight," Moe said, adding, "You can't continue to be mad about something you don't know (why) you're mad about."

  Post-Dispatch: A few more Tigers banged up
• KC Star: Kendial Lawrence impresses during Missouri scrimmage
• Multimedia
  PowerMizzou: PMTV-HD: scrimmage highlights
  PowerMizzou: PMTV-HD: Pinkel on the scrimmage
  PowerMizzou: Fall Scrimmage Photos
  We Are Mizzou: First Fall Scrimmage

Other Mizzou Football Links

I'm simply fascinated by the Missouri defensive line this year -- it was going to be good anyway, but throw in Sheldon Richardson (officially) and a thriving Kony Ealy? Holy moly.

• We Are Mizzou: Mizzou Heads to the Pool
• QB No. 1
  KC Star (Campus Corner): Hi Ho Silver! holds special meaning for Mizzou's James Franklin
• QB No. 2
  PowerMizzou: Corbin Berkstresser: Breaking In
• Running Backs
  PowerMizzou: PMTV-HD: Tiger tailbacks
• Receivers
  The Trib: T.J. Moe could give MU a boost in field position
  The Missourian: Young receivers strive to stand out
  KC Star: Young receivers at Mizzou chafe at being invisible men
• Defensive Ends
  The Trib: Kony Ealy: Riding in as the next Aldon?
• Linebackers
  Post-Dispatch: Zaviar Gooden blossoms as LB for Mizzou
  The Missourian: Missouri's middle linebackers look to bounce back
• Freshmen
  The Trib: Freshman tackle Taylor Chappell has tools for success
  PowerMizzou: Freshman Q&A: Michael Boddie
  PowerMizzou: Freshman Q&A: Brad McNulty
  PowerMizzou: Freshman Q&A: Shane Ray
  We Are Mizzou: Big Brothers - Clarence Green
  

Other Football Links

House of Sparky needs to set up a Karma Threat, and STAT. They're not going to have enough healthy players to field a team at this point...

• Longhorn Network
  College Football Talk: Just weeks before launch, Longhorn Network is still sans carrier
• Arizona State
  CBS Sports: Arizona State loses another defensive starter
  House of Sparky: Brandon Magee out for the season and other ASU practice notes

Mizzou Basketball Links

For Team USA, Marcus Denmon has been the Soulcrusher we've come to know and love: always playing good defense, letting the game come to him on offense, and oscillating between flaming hot and ice cold with the jumper.

• Marcus Denmon And Team USA
  MUtigers.com: Denmon, Team USA Win Again
  The Trib (Steve Walentik): U.S. wallops Hungary in World University Games
  The Trib (Steve Walentik): Denmon scores 11 as U.S. downs Mexico
  PowerMizzou: Highlights: Denmon and Team USA
  MUtigers.com: Denmon Shines For Team USA
  

Other Mizzou Links

Another really nice hire for Mizzou Track and Field...

• Mizzou Track & Field
  MUtigers.com: Mizzou Track and Field Hires Joe Lynn
• Mizzou Soccer
  MUtigers.com: Tigers Battle Illinois to 1-1 Draw
  MUtigers.com: Tigers Picked Third in Preseason Poll
• Mizzou Women's Basketball
  MUtigers.com: Women's Basketball Gives Back