Mizzou Football 2013

Mizzou Links, 10-14-13: Tigers earn respect, wait on James Franklin news

Mizzou Football earns respect, James Franklin news might come today, and Mizzou Volleyball is now 21-0.

By Bill Connelly@SBN_BillC Oct 14, 2013, 5:19am CDT

1. Saturday still happened

The Trib (Behind the Stripes): GAME REWIND: Missouri 41, Georgia 26

Murphy Gets Free: On a 3rd-and-5 from the Georgia 36-yard line, Henson eschewed the speed option and went with straight speed. Murphy lined up to Franklin's left and took the handoff, running a sweep toward a trips formation of Washington, Lucas and Eric Waters just off the right end of the offensive line. He slipped out of a Josh Harvey Clemons arm tackle at the line, ran through Mauger and Shaq Wiggins -- who kind of took each other out -- and juked Corey Moore. He nearly juked himself as well. But he kept his feet and ran away from two Georgia defenders for a 36-yard score to put Missouri up 21-10. Great vision, great elusiveness, great change-of-direction. Just a great run.

Ray's Revenge: When Ray lines up onside, he can do good things. Ray timed the snap and threw a swim move to knife between tight end Arthur Lynch and Gates. He had a free run on Murray -- who had his back to him carrying out a slow-developing play-action end around fake -- and Ray put a vicious hit on the Georgia quarterback, jarring the ball loose before he could go into his throwing motion. The ball went right to Sam, who returned it 21 yards for a touchdown to put Missouri up 28-10. It was the Tigers' first fumble recovery of the season and its third defensive touchdown, all scored by defensive ends. And Ray could claim some retribution after his troubles lining up.

KC Star: Double-pass play that sealed win at Georgia is nothing new for Mizzou

Hard hit by injuries, Missouri went 2-6 in its new conference last year, but winning at Georgia would seem to validate the Tigers’ ability to compete in the nation’s toughest football conference.

"I’d be lying to you if I didn’t say it feels damn good," Copeland said.

Make no mistake, it was a watershed win for Missouri.

"There’s no doubt in my mind," junior defensive tackle Lucas Vincent, an Olathe North graduate, said. "They won the SEC East last year. When you knock off the SEC East champions, that’s going to turn some heads."

And that certainly served as motivation for the Tigers.

"I’ve said since day one I’m proud to be a member of the SEC and you’ve got to earn respect," Tigers coach Gary Pinkel said. "We earned a little bit."

PowerMizzou: Wearing the black hat

"This year, we had a statement to make," defensive end Shane Ray said. "We grinded all summer together. Everyday, we look on ESPN or on something, it's guys talking about we're not a good enough team, you know. We can't compete with these guys, and we got tired of that. Being able to beat this Georgia team, they're a great team, but it feels good to let people know that we're ready to play football.

"We're not going to be the bottom feeder of this conference."

The feeling, the reason for the gesticulations, was summed up by Missouri receiver L'Damian Washington, Saturday's star. Before the game ended, Washington stood on the sideline, carrying his seven catches, 114 yards and two touchdowns with him. He loudly said the same thing a few times.

"Can't deny that, dog," Washington said.

The Tigers won without a shutdown defense. The Tigers won despite their worst statistical offensive performance of the year. The Tigers won without their best defender.

The Tigers finished a two-score win without their quarterback, their best offensive player.

Rivals.com: UGA-Mizzou 2013 photos
Mizzou Network: HIGHLIGHTS: Mizzou Network Field Cam vs Georgia