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Mizzou Links, 12-30-09

By Bill Connelly

Texas Bowl Tomorrow!

  • The Trib (Dave Matter): Behind the Numbers, Texas Bowl, Pt. II
  • The Trib: Air rare for Navy but often deadly
  • Washington Post: Missouri's Alexander presents Navy with a big-play challenge

    The Midshipmen don't have anyone who can match up with Alexander physically, but what they can rely on is the experience they've gained by facing other big-time receivers. They know that Missouri is going to complete some passes -- the Tigers average 36 passing attempts and 285 yards through the air per game -- but they want to limit the long pass plays. Navy hasn't given up a completion of 70 yards or longer since the 2007 season; the longest this year was a 49-yard catch by Pittsburgh's Jonathan Baldwin.

    "That never changes for us," Navy defensive coordinator Buddy Green said. "We can't give up momentum changers, which are the big balls. They've hit a ton this year against a lot of people. It's important we understand that. We've got to be patient, and we've got to do a great job of tackling in space."

    Navy did just that in its 23-21 victory at Notre Dame on Nov. 7. Tate, who won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top wide receiver, and Floyd combined for 19 catches for 273 yards, but 14 of those catches went for 15 yards or fewer. Neither player scored a touchdown until the final five minutes of the game.

    "When you're playing against great athletes, they're going to make plays," Navy junior safety Wyatt Middleton said. "As long as they don't make big plays -- or more big plays than you're making -- then you're fine. It's like whenever teams played Michael Jordan -- he's going to drop 25 or 30 points, but as long as he's not dropping 50 or 45, then you played him well."

  • Post-Dispatch: Danario Alexander is catching mixed reviews
    Starting with Thursday's nationally televised Texas Bowl match against Navy, Alexander will be seeking to heighten awareness among NFL talent scouts who perhaps haven't seen enough of the Tigers' record-setting wide receiver yet to truly evaluate his pro potential.

    "He's not a big-name guy, so he could end up falling a little bit unless he gets into the postseason and tears it up," longtime NFL scout Dave Razzano said. "But it only takes one team to like what they see."

    ...

    "I think you have to consider him in the same way as Maclin," Pinkel said, "and there was a time I didn't think I would use the two in the same sentence like that."

    As for concerns about Alexander's injury history, especially his knee problems, Pinkel noted that "Maclin had knee surgery, too, and the same doctor put them both back together."
  • Post-Dispatch: Tigers find no disrespect in Texas Bowl
  • Post-Dispatch: Tickets anyone? Sean Weatherspoon needs 8,000 for Texas Bowl
  • Post-Dispatch: Don't forget about the defenses
  • PowerMizzou: Navy plays defense too
  • The Missourian: Navy's unique offense a challenge for Missouri football team
  • The Missourian: Not much different in Navy offense since 2004 record drive
  • KC Star (Upon Further Review): Big 12 Bowl #4: Missouri vs Navy
  • Houston Chronicle: Niumatalolo, Navy go for 10-win season in Texas Bowl
  • Annapolis Capital: Pinkel puts charge in Tigers' program
  • BCS Evolution: 2009 Texas Bowl preview
  • Inside Missouri Football: Futures Bowl

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Big 12 Links

Other Mizzou Links

  • Mizzou Basketball
    KC Star: Young MU guards key streaking Tigers
  • Mizzou Wrestling
    MUtigers.com: Tiger Wrestlers Stand Third at Midlands
  • Mizzou Women's Basketball
    The Trib: Missouri women move on to new chapter

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