2014 Missouri spring football: Black & Gold Game live thread

Here are some links to prepare you for today's Black & Gold Game, which kicks off ("kicks off") at 1pm at Faurot Field.

Receivers

The Trib: MU football team needs replacements to catch on
The Trib (Behind the Stripes): STAT SPOTLIGHT: The receiving end
KC Star: MU’s Bud Sasser moves up in wake of Dorial Green-Beckham’s departure

Defensive End

Post-Dispatch: Mizzou's Golden ready to prove himself

Linebacker

The Trib: Scherer to stick with it

Spring Game Questions

The Trib (Behind the Stripes): Missouri Spring Game Storylines

Steward Spotlight: Pinkel said Russell Hansbrough is scheduled to undergo labrum surgery Friday, so he's probably out for the scrimmage. Marcus Murphy bounced back with a good second scrimmage, but he's still fighting off a right ankle injury he suffered in the first scrimmage, and Missouri might not want to push it too much with him. That leaves Morgan Steward with the chance to have another breakout performance like he did in the first scrimmage. Steward ran for 117 yards and three scores on 13 carries that day, before taking a backseat to Hansbrough and Murphy in the second scrimmage and going for 26 yards on seven carries. He showed his ability to bull forward in short-yardage situations, as well as an ability to make people miss and accelerate to the open field once holes present themselves. Another turn for Steward as feature back could give the coaches more of an indication of whether they can get by with he, Hansbrough and Murphy this fall -- if things go well -- or whether they might want to explore playing Trevon Walters or Ish Witter as true freshmen if things go poorly. Steward has generated a whole lot of confidence in the coaches with his spring thus far. A good capper could solidify his place as a solid number three, perhaps with a number two or number one ceiling.

PowerMizzou: Five unanswered questions

Can the Tigers bring the heat like last year? Missouri led the SEC in sacks despite blitzing less frequently than just about anyone in the league. With Kony Ealy and Michael Sam gone, can it happen again? The answer may lie heavily with the progression of Marcus Loud and Charles Harris. The redshirt freshmen defensive ends have drawn rave reviews, but until they do it on Saturdays, no one can be sure how deep the Tigers are at defensive end.

Post-Dispatch: Five questions for Missouri football

Which rookies will stand out? For the team’s redshirt freshmen and four true freshmen, today’s scrimmage will be their first live action in front of a crowd since high school. For some, like safety Anthony Sherrils, defensive ends Charles Harris and Marcus Loud and linebackers Joey Burkett and Eric Beisel, expanded roles this fall could be on the line. "Certainly we want to see players play in a game-day environment," Pinkel said. "Then we’ll make the final decisions going into August as far as depth is concerned."

And just for fun...

Missouri football coach Gary Pinkel extends his contract, including an incentives package |