Are you in need of MORE football content?

We have so much hot football content right now at Rock M, y’all, that I seriously don’t know what to write about, but I’ll give it a whirl.

While most of the local media (including this site- great job, Kortay) recapped Tuesday’s Zoom call with Coach Drink and Kobie Whiteside, Max Baker of the Columbia Missourian (support student journalism!!) wrote about Mizzou’s defense and their continuity.

We all know that the offensive is a virtual unknown at this point. We’ve got a QB competition, new receivers that haven’t yet earned the staff’s trust, new staff, and just a whole helluva lot of uncertainty.

But on the defensive side of the ball, things are a bit brighter. The team’s three leading tacklers are back and there’s a returning starter at every position— YAY. There’s also returning coaches on the defensive side! Also yay!

In regards to Josh Bledsoe, who had 10 pass breakups last season, and Tyree Gillespie, Drinkwitz had this to say:

“They do a really nice job disguising,” Drinkwitz said of the duo. “They know their own strengths and know how far they can show one thing and be in another. Really look forward to those guys being the leaders and catalysts of our defense.”

We also welcome back (whewwwww), Nick Bolton, but who will play beside him is unknown. According to Baker’s article, Cameron Wilkins (jr), Jamal Brooks (sr) and Devin Nicholson (so.) all saw action after Cale Garrett’s injury. Aubrey Miller (r-jr) could also see playing time after suffering a season-ending knee injury in that godforsaken Wyoming game last year. According to Miller:

“My main goal is to remain consistent in workouts, remain consistent with my body, make sure that I’m always taking care of myself... I think last year showed that I kind of got too comfortable and the injury kinda slipped up on me.”

Without Jatorian Hansford out for camp due to shoulder surgery, Baker said Drinkwitz mentioned seniors Chris Turner, Sci Martin, Tre Williams (r-sr) as guys that will need to step up on the D-line. From Drink:

“Coach Walters’ scheme does a lot of different movements so it gives people a chance to be one on one with pass rush moves,” Drinkwitz said. “Three seniors with length and toughness and great motors. We need to get pressure on the quarterback and those three guys can do it for us.”

While I have my doubts there will be a full season given the chaos of students returning, I am hopeful we will get to see at least a few games and get to see the (more) experienced defense in action.

(Side note: while working at the retail job this weekend, I did happen upon two unidentified but very tall Mizzou football players, both of whom were being VERY careful in the crowds— wearing masks, social distancing, and one was even wearing gloves!)

One more football tidbit before getting to the links:

This made me laugh. Educating the team and looking good while doing it— Kobie Whiteside.

On to the links!

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Yesterday at Rock M

• Kortay had your recap of the latest Zoom after-practice call.
• Josh wrote that the QB competition is an opportunity for Coach Drinkwitz.
• Nate the Great previewed the Alabama Crimson Tide game and marked it down as a victory.... obviously.
• COMING UP AT ROCK M: loads of hot football content
• IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: I wrote a really cool piece on the Zoom event with Dr. Scotta Morton on mental health and mental performance. Please check it out if you haven’t already.

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More Links:

Football

• St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Dave wrote about how Drinkwitz is not focused on Alabama... yet. He also said to wear your mask if you’re trying to attend Mizzou games. And finally, he quoted Drinkwitz saying “We ain’t tellin nobody” in regards to the QB decision.
• Columbia Tribune: Eric Blum recapped Drink’s daily zoom chat and gave three thoughts about the Tigers’ schedule.
• Columbia Missourian: Adam Cole wrote about the decision not to announce a quarterback until game week.
• Rivals.com: The Rivals 250 is out for the class of 2022, and there are a number of Mizzou targets listed.
• KC Star: Souichi also wrote about the QB secret... popular topic today.
• PowerMizzou (free): Mitchell Forde had a Day 2 notebook about the QB secret. Gabe put up video of the Tuesday zoom call. Gabe joined Birmingham’s WJOX 94.5 to talk Mizzou-Alabama.
• The Athletic ($$): Andy Staples wrote about the SEC’s schedule, and sorry—there are no take backs now. They must play a 10-game conference schedule going forward. (shudders in fear)
• A couple Mizzou Football social media things...

Other Mizzou Sports

• Steve Bieser joined the Baseball America podcast to talk program momentum and the lifting of sanctions.
• Good point from Stadium’s Jeff Goodman on hoops waivers:

• WELCOME BACK, MITCH!

• Love to see it, ladies! Coach P’s team is back in action. I can’t wait for this season (which hopefully occurs in its entirety).

• Back at it Tuesday morning for Joshua Taylor’s volleyball squad!

• Some recruiting news & notes, courtesy of Rock M’s own, Matthew J Harris, and his twitter account. That one name looks familiar... Hey, Kobe’s brother! (crosses fingers that this results in good news)

Mizzou/Area Athletes in the Pros News

• Joe Varden of The Athletic mentioned both MPJ and Jordan Clarkson in his post titled, “Star treatment, bike rides and the ‘realest motherf—r’: Team by team observations from inside the bubble.” That last part of the title? Totally about #MizzouMade’s JC. LOVE it.
• Mike Singer of The Denver Post said that MPJ learned some hard truths about playoff basketball. Here’s hoping he gets it together for Game 2. **Also, look at the photo accompanying this story— Mizzou vs. Mizzou! Also at The Denver Post, Mark Kiszla wrote about the elder Michael Porter (Sr), who was witness to MPJ’s darkest days leading up to his comeback. Mike DeCourcy of The Sporting News said that MPJ’s bubble breakout shows how wild it was for so many teams to pass on him.
• ESPN’s Jeff Legwold said the Broncos are getting the real Drew Lock swag in year 2. Aric DiLalla of DenverBroncos.com reported in his camp observations that Drew shined as the team practiced in pads on day 2.
• Best wishes to Ronnell Perkins on his 49ers tryout!

• Hey, J’MON!

Interesting/Non-Mizzou News

These are some of the best sports stories & tidbits I recommend— Enjoy!

• I CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS SHOW. Stick to Sports on Vice TV with Jemele Hill and Cari Champion starts tonight with special guest.... LEBRON JAMES.

• Undefeated news wrap up: Jason Reid wrote about the historic hiring of Jason Wright, the first Black NFL team president. Nick DePaula wrote about the awesome messages on NBA players’ sneakers in the bubble. It’s a really cool story. And finally, Marc J Spears wrote about Jaylen Brown (he’s Cuonzo-adjacent!) and how he will not be silenced.
• In Covid runs rampant through college campuses news.... WELP. Michigan State is telling undergrads who were going to live in residence halls to stay home, effective immediately, according to The Athletic’s Nicole Auerbach. Meanwhile, App State had to cancel practices due to a COVID cluster... on its football team. Oh, and Notre Dame is moving online for at least the next two weeks to accommodate a HUGE spike in cases— 146... of 419 students.
• This is hilarious and I will never get tired of it. I’m a huge Brooke Nine-Nine fan (9-9!!!)

• If you’re looking to sign up for ESPN+, Rock M Nation now has an affiliate link: click Here for ESPN+ Now! (** RockMNation has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though RockMNation may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.**)