As we put a wrap on the roller coaster ride of a rebuilding season in 2009, I've decided to ask for the community's help in fashioning the 2009 Mizzou All-Season Team. Just like I did in 2007 before the Cotton Bowl, putting together the All-Season Team will help recognize the top performances of the season at each position this past year.
Today, we decide which performance from Brian Coulter or Jacquies Smith gets the spot at defensive end opposite Aldon Smith. Nominees after the jump.
NOMINEES (in chronological order):
- Jacquies Smith vs. Illinois: Oh, how we remember the debut of the Scorpion package. Smith had maybe his best day of pass rushing in the debut and helped Mizzou contain the Illini to 110 yards rushing in St. Louis. He and Aldon Smith got our hopes up for the season when they came up with back-to-back sacks of Juice Williams in the fourth quarter.
THE LINE: Five tackles (three unassisted), one tackle for loss (one sack)
- Brian Coulter vs. Nevada: The numbers are sparse, but Coulter's recovery of a Luke Lippincott fumble at the MU four-yard-line while leading by only eight points was HUGE for keeping Missouri undefeated in non-conference play. After Coulter came away with the loose ball, Mizzou responded with the dagger drive, going 97 yards on 11 plays in less than four and a half minutes to put the game away.
THE LINE: Two tackles, fumble recovery
- Jacquies Smith vs. Baylor: The interesting note of record from the Baylor game is that, as a whole, the defensive ends weren't terrible against Baylor, no matter what Nick Florence's numbers say. Of course, turning a few of those hurries into sacks would have gone a long way to changing the outcome, but all things considered, things actually could have been much, much worse (believe it or not) without Jacquies and Co.
THE LINE: Five tackles (three unassisted), 1.5 tackles for loss
- Brian Coulter vs. Kansas State: It was his season-high in tackles, and he and Jasper Simmons helped keep Grant Gregory out of the endzone on second down of Mizzou's fourth quarter goalline stand to keep K-State touchdown-less for the day.
THE LINE: Seven tackles (five unassisted)
- Jacquies Smith vs. Navy: Let's face it: Nine tackles on a day where they seemed few and far between is worth some recognition, right? Smith and Will Ebner led Missouri with nine tackles each on the day.
THE LINE: Nine tackles (six unassisted)