Mizzou Football 2013

Mizzou Links, 8-27-13: Pinkel is loose, Gaines is ready, and Max is deserving

By Bill Connelly@SBN_BillC Aug 27, 2013, 5:13am CDT

1. Media Day notes and Game Week stuff

MUtigers.com: Mizzou Football Media Day Quotes - Aug. 26

Senior defensive back, E.J. Gaines

On Andrew Wilson's influence on the defense...
"He inspires the defense. Just the physical presence that he brings to the football game, it is great. He is the captain of our football team, so that just makes it so much better. We are definitely ready to get out there and see Wilson hit some guys."

On being the de-facto name on the defense...
"It feels good. I feel like that is because there a lot of young guys that people don't know about. Like I said, (Harold) Brantley and Kentrell Brothers at linebacker. There are a lot of guys that are definitely going to prove people wrong this year. You guys just haven't seen them yet."

On seeing the potential in the younger players...
"It feels good. After last season, we kind of had a sour taste in our mouths. We definitely still have a chip on our shoulder to prove people wrong."

The Trib (Behind the Stripes): Missouri Depth Chart, Week 1: Shane Ray makes a move
The Trib (Behind the Stripes): Missouri Media Day Notes: James Franklin needs to get down with the get down
The Trib (Beyond the Box Score): Scouting Report: Murray State
The Trib (Behind the Stripes): Gary Pinkel Speaks, Week 1
Post-Dispatch: Few changes to Week 1 depth chart
PowerMizzou: The Breakdown: Week 1
PowerMizzou: PMTV-HD: Monday Media, 8/26
Mizzou Network: 1 on 1: Gary Pinkel Before Season Opener

PPV
Fox Sports MW: Mizzou vs. Murray State pay-per-view information

2. Knock on wood knock on wood knock on wood knock on wood

The Missourian: Missouri football in near-perfect health as opener approaches
KC Star: Injuries not a concern this year for Missouri ahead of season opener against Murray State
Post-Dispatch: Tigers get clean bill of health

First, Gary Pinkel’s feeling good. He was loose, noticeably peppy during both his appearance at the Tiger Quarterback Club luncheon and his session with reporters.

He even cracked a genuinely funny one-line. Asked if he’ll pay attention to the roar of the crowd when tailback Henry Josey gets his first carry Saturday, Pinkel said no. "I don’t even hear those cannons go off," he said, referring to the Army ROTC cannon crew that fires off a shot after every Tiger score. "Even though they didn’t go off very often last year." […]

"Generally what I do right away is give you an injury update from where we’re at," he said to start his 30-minute session with reporters. "We don’t have any right now, which is good. Everybody’s going to play and start that we expected to. That’s positive."

The cannons were pretty quiet even when they did go off last year, Coach.

3. Trevon Walters has a nice, big chip on his shoulder

PowerMizzou: Walters talks decision
The Trib: Florida running back chooses Missouri
Fox Sports MW: Mizzou football is making recruiting headway in Florida
KC Star: MU football’s newest commitment motivated by initial lack of offers

When the offers Walters sought didn’t come immediately, he used it as fuel to post a monster junior season in which he rushed 121 times for 1,119 yards and 16 touchdowns and also caught 29 passes for 411 yards and four touchdowns for Manatee, which went 13-1 in Florida’s second-biggest classification.

"After that game, it made me more hungry," Walters said. "I told myself the offers would come — just be patient."

This summer, they finally did. And Walters, who was given a two-star rating by Rivals but is listed as a three-star prospect by 247Sports and ESPN, settled on Missouri on Sunday night over South Florida, Minnesota, Tulane, Toledo, Marshall, Georgia Southern and Florida International. He is Missouri’s 19th commitment for the Class of 2014.

Other Commits
PowerMizzou: Following the Future: 8/26

Apparently we won't have to wait long for No. 20
PowerMizzou: #20?