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Q: What’s the key for your running backs to be ready for run-pass options, to be ready to do what they need to do, regardless of which way the play goes?
Ford: "To be, to me, a great running back is one that can hang on to the football. That’s a crucial part of it. And then you’ve got to be ready to protect the quarterback. There are guys that, if you put them on the field and the quarterback is getting his butt tattooed, it’s usually because running backs" aren’t pass protecting. ... "We stress protections. If you don’t know what you’re doing in protection, you’re probably not going to play here."
Q: Is it fair to say Ish does that the best?
Ford: "Ish is the most consistent and the most trustworthy."
The Trib's Blake Toppmeyer does a nice job of laying out the key takeaways from interview sessions, and the above link is full of interesting tidbits about basically two topics: 1) the role of run-pass options in the Missouri offense and 2) why Ish Witter is playing more than Damarea Crockett. I'll let you read about the former, but as it pertains to the latter, both Josh Heupel and Cornell Ford gave similar answers.
When it comes to carrying the ball further down the field, Crockett has clearly been more effective than Witter. But in the quotes from Heupel and Ford, it's obvious that ball security has held Crockett back, but so has protection in the passing game. And since Drew Lock has barely gotten hit in the last three games, it's fair to say that giving Witter a ton of snaps has probably worked out pretty well. (He hasn't really gotten hit when Crockett is in there either, but you know what I'm saying.)
One surprise I've had regarding Witter: He hasn't gotten the ball much in the passing game yet. I guess part of that is because he's helping to protect Lock, but I think that might be another wrinkle we see in the coming weeks. We haven't seen many base screens at all, and as defenses begin to further adapt to Heupel's Baylorfied offense, that's probably one way we'll see him beginning to counter that.
3 days to LSU
The Trib: Despite promised shakeups at LSU, MU ready for heavy dose of Fournette
The Trib: Football Scouting Report: LSU Tigers
The Missourian: Missouri, LSU trending in opposite directions heading into Saturday's matchup
PowerMizzou: Tuesday's Top Tigers
LSU can defend the run
26 receptions will get you noticed
MUtigers.com: @MizzouFootball’s J’Mon Moore Added to Biletnikoff Award Watch List
A recycled story, but still a fun one
KC Star: Fish named ‘Boneyard’ is a mascot of sorts for Mizzou offensive linemen
And he's only a sophomore
This is truly a blessing! Not only to be part of something like this but being able to lead! Thank you @SEC #MIZ! pic.twitter.com/WcHEmnHTuT
— Terrence Phillips (@FloorGeneral03) September 27, 2016
Rapid Fire:
MIZ-NFL
MUtigers.com: #MizzouMade In the NFL: Week Three
Golf
MUtigers.com: Walker Leads @MizzouMensGolf in Team Runners-Up Finish at the Jackrabbit
The Missourian: Missouri women's golfer Emma Allen leads team in strong start
Plays of the week
(That pass in clip #5 is spectacular.)
A KU fan you can root for
Fox Sports KC: The toughest Jayhawk fan you'll ever meet: Bo Macan is 26 pounds of pure heart