Another commit for the 2009 Mizzou recruiting class! This time it's, to the surprise of nobody, JUCO safety Jasper Simmons. He held offers from teams like K-State, Oklahoma State and Ole Miss, which is impressive considering we haven't had great luck recruiting against the Right Reverend Nutt over the years.
Meanwhile, the best LB (that we know of) left on the Mizzou's recruiting board is visiting Nebraska this weekend.
Media day quotes! Pinkel gives us some personnel updates...
To give you update on personnel, (junior OL) Kurtis Gregory had turned his ankle in the 1st quarter against Buffalo, but he practiced full on Saturday and Sunday and he's certainly probable. (Senior strong safety) William Moore also practiced both of those days and we expect him to play also. Otherwise, I think we're in pretty good shape. (Junior WR) Danario Alexander continues to work with his knee and get better. I think his confidence grows as he does that. We moved (freshman) Michael Egnew, he was a wide receiver, but he came in at tight end. We knew eventually he was going to play tight end, and we moved him back there. We think with Danario Alexander coming back, that's a good move and he's doing a good job there.
It's the official release for the Nebraska game! We've got McDonough, Spielman and Stoner, who aren't the best crew out there, but they're one of the more entertaining, so we've got that going for us. Good live-blogging material, I'm sure.
If Nebraska wants to beat Mizzou, they might want to start fast...
Getting out to a good start has not been a problem for Mizzou thus far in 2008. The Tigers have scored a TD on every game-opening possession in 2008, and the Mizzou defense has held opponents scoreless in their opening possessions, as well. That 28-0 advantage in opening drives has certainly played a big part in explaining why Mizzou has trailed only once this season - and that lasted for just :13 seconds against Illinois, when, after the Illini took a 13-10 2nd-quarter lead in the season opener, Jeremy Maclin returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a TD to regain the lead.
While it's no surprise that Mizzou's high-flying offense has scored early and often, the Tiger defense has also been stingy to open ballgames, holding its first four foes to a total of 2 combined first downs and 12 combined total yards in the four game-opening drives. The Tiger defense has also started the 2nd half strong, allowing opponents no points on their initial drives in the 3rd quarter, while the Tiger offense has scored twice.
Nebraska links!
- The Missourian: MU defense hears Lucky's words ("You can't get caught up in the bulletin board material, but we appreciate the bulletin board material," linebacker Sean Weatherspoon said, grinning. "It gives us a little more confidence. It gives us an edge, because we know guys are out there talking smack about us, and we just want to show guys what we can do.)
- KC Star: Mizzou's Jones went from recruit to recruiter ("Jones used a different tactic to recruit Gabbert, the No. 1-rated quarterback in the state, out of Parkway West High School. Jones, already friends with Gabbert from their days attending Nebraska and Missouri football camps, called Gabbert every name in the book. And a few that might not be listed.")
- Lincoln Journal-Star: Huskers hoping to win red-zone battles
- Dave Matter: Monday notes
- The Missourian: Nebraska braces for Missouri offense
- Omaha World-Herald: [DB Coach Marvin] Sanders expects NU defense to improve
- Post-Dispatch: Tigers, Huskers reverse roles
- Post-Dispatch: Mizzou knows how mighty can fall
- Omaha World-Herald: Will Missouri's QB have a big game against Huskers this Saturday? (What a strange headline...like nobody's heard of "Missouri's QB" or something)
- Lincoln Journal-Star: Husker defenders know they need to sharpen their focus
Dave Matter's got his weekly Big 12 football notes...
And finally, SI's Gene Menez talks about the Heisman contenders "Chasing Chase" in his latest Heisman Watch column...
Oh yeah, and be sure to watch tonight's E:60 on ESPN for the Jeremy Maclin feature...