Rock M Nation - Mizzou Football in 2021: Week 4 at Boston CollegeA Blog for Ol' Mizzouhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50319/rmn-fav.png2021-09-28T09:00:00-05:00http://www.rockmnation.com/rss/stream/224501382021-09-28T09:00:00-05:002021-09-28T09:00:00-05:00Beyond the Box Score: Heisman-level Dynasty mode
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<p>What an 8-year old video game can teach us about our modern Missouri Drinkwitz Dynasty</p> <p id="BdmWb8">Dynasty Mode was the best mode of the old NCAA Football video game series. If you were anything like me, the first thing you’d do when you got the newest edition is fire up that mode and take either a.) Missouri, or b.) the worst team in the game to the National Championship 14-20 times before getting bored and finding a new team. I did - and still do - this a lot, importing newer teams that joined since 2013 like Coastal Carolina, Charlotte, and other SBC/CUSA start-ups and making them awesome.</p>
<p id="yrtBOo">If you remember those games, it was really easy to have an excellent offense, but no matter your defensive acumen - especially on the higher levels of difficulty - you <em>always</em> gave up a ton of yards and points with your lower-ranked G5 program. Yes, your 72-rated offense could give the 98-rated defenses hell, but the second you went on defense you, essentially, did the mental math to see if giving up the score in one play would be the best move for the time remaining and acted accordingly.</p>
<p id="Qqfy0K">I’m sure you’ve figure it out by now: Missouri is playing like a player-controlled G5 team in Heisman-level Dynasty. The offense doesn’t have enough talent to chuck up 50+ per game and the defense is only good for 2, <em>maybe</em> 3 stops per game. Obviously, managing an actual college football team is light years different from managing one in a video game but the limitations are clear: win with a plodding, safe offense that plays ball control and keep your liability on the sideline for as long as possible.</p>
<p id="Xvqqvp">Playing in favor of one side of the ball over the other is risky. Will Muschamp played in favor of his defense over his offense at Florida and South Carolina and lost a ton of close games because of it. Jimbo Fisher does this now at <a href="https://www.goodbullhunting.com">Texas A&M</a> as he did at <a href="https://www.tomahawknation.com/">Florida State</a>. Moving slow and playing it safe can work but it leaves you zero room for mistakes and can keep inferior teams close just as it does teams much better than you. We’ll see how this Tiger team develops over the next 8 games, but it’s pretty clear what this team is right now and it’s not getting better in 2021.</p>
<p id="Kq1Pp1">Here’s the advanced box score:</p>
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<figcaption>Advanced Box Score</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="gYaS20">Boston College had massive advantages in number of plays, turnovers, 1st/3rd down management, and running stats. However, Missouri was either close - or better - in the other metrics which helped them stick around to the end. Let’s revisit my keys to the game and see how they shook out.</p>
<h2 id="ErvE1c"><strong>When Missouri Has the Ball</strong></h2>
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<figcaption>Missouri Offense vs. Boston College Defense</figcaption>
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<h3 id="8IfZm8"><strong>Say hello to Deep-Ball Dom</strong></h3>
<p id="kKqUtn">On Wednesday I said I wanted to see <em><strong>Bazelak and Dominic Lovett - or whoever - connect on at least five passes that go for more than 25+ yards. </strong></em>Well, that didn’t happen. Dominic Lovett barely saw the field, and while Bazelak did <em>attempt </em>six throws that traveled more than 20 yards, one ended in a completion and two ended in interceptions. That’s not going to cut it.</p>
<p id="wJKP5I"><strong>Winner</strong>: Boston College</p>
<h3 id="YqB1FC"><strong>Passing Downs Success Rate</strong></h3>
<p id="AMO8V4">Boston College’s defense excelled at standard downs and was only vulnerable in obvious passing situations so I hoped that Missouri could <em><strong>maintain at least a 30% success rate in those situations</strong></em>. Mizzou finished with a 36.8% success rate in passing downs, surpassing my humble request. What’s even more impressive is that, of the 68 plays the Tiger offense ran, only 19 (or 27.9%) came on passing downs so Missouri actually did better than expected against an excellent BC defense.</p>
<p id="ab1y8Q"><strong>Winner</strong>: Missouri</p>
<h3 id="CYak3g"><strong>Finish your dang drives</strong></h3>
<p id="D7Kh2S">I wanted <em><strong>4 points per opportunity</strong></em>; we got 4.9. Thanks to a little more diversity in red zone play calling (and a kicker whose range is half the dang field) Missouri’s points per scoring opportunity has been quite healthy this year. Of course, if the defense doesn’t/won’t improve, this high level PPSO will have to stay strong all year.</p>
<p id="zGn1oD"><strong>Winner</strong>: Missouri</p>
<h2 id="PngoIv"><strong>When Boston College Has the Ball</strong></h2>
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<figcaption>Missouri Defense vs. Boston College Offense</figcaption>
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<h3 id="eXkpFU"><strong>Make ‘em throw</strong></h3>
<p id="zkNnZI">At this point, everyone in the college football ether knows the book on beating Missouri’s defense, and the hope is they can mitigate that success to just merely “excellent” instead of “dominating”. To do that, I hoped the Tigers could hold the Eagle ground game to <em><strong>at least a 42% success rate</strong></em>.</p>
<p id="MMqHYF">Boston College’s success rate when running the ball was 54.2%. Lol.</p>
<p id="wMZ1vp"><strong>Winner</strong>: Boston College</p>
<h3 id="ggWjG4"><strong>Blitz!</strong></h3>
<p id="L5jofc">This Mizzou defense will not be beating any offense by conventional means so they’ll have to get aggressive to make big plays. My thought was <em><strong>If Missouri can manage a 25% havoc rate or better </strong></em>it would be enough to throw the Eagles offense off. Missouri’s havoc rate ended up at 12.3%, less than half of what I deemed necessary. Martez Manuel (3), Blaze Alldredge (2), and Shawn Robinson (1.5) were the only ones who contributed any havoc plays at all.</p>
<p id="VzgpCj"><strong>Winner</strong>: Boston College</p>
<h2 id="efL7uD"><strong>The Little Things</strong></h2>
<p id="onC9Ip">After taking an FCS week off, let’s revisit the little things report card to see if the Tigers stuck to the usual checklist of being overmatched but keeping it close:</p>
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<figcaption>“The Little Things” Report Card</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="CUO3wd">Missouri outgained Boston College by 0.3 yards on a per play basis and had the same amount of scoring opportunities with a 1 point per opportunity deficit (because BC scored in overtime and Mizzou didn’t). The Tigers also benefited from much better field position and punted the Eagles into bad field position twice. Everything here is good except for those pesky turnovers: one on the first possession of the second half and, of course, the lone play in overtime. </p>
<p id="DfM2Z7">Even the penalties were almost dead even:</p>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jM__uhHDeLihmapdGMU8AwC458Y=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22882647/Capture4.PNG">
<figcaption>Penalty Tracker</figcaption>
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<p id="Ep5SIt">If you haven’t figured it out by now, this was a game between two evenly-matched opponents. You can look at individual plays here and there, but essentially, Missouri was one interception away from winning/losing it on a 2-point conversion on the road. Much like the Kentucky game, moral victories are still an “L” in the win-loss column, but this team can do enough to be in a position to win. That’s great for this staff and their planning, but obviously not great for winning games now. </p>
<h2 id="xbMIyb"><strong>Extra Points</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li id="SaqelA">Missouri ran four plays in the 3rd quarter while Boston College ran 28 plays, 20 of which were runs. I know Mizzou did that to Kentucky last year but I’m not sure when the last time the Tigers were the victims of such circumstance. I’m not interested in finding out, either. Dark places, that road leads to.</li>
<li id="Ef3x0f">Given BC’s starting field position, the maximum amount of yardage the Eagles could have gone on Saturday was 705 yards (i.e. you start on your 2-yard line you can go 98 yards, if you start on your 25-yard line you can go 75 yards, etc.). BC ended up going for 436 yards; even if you add the yardage of the two field goals - from the 32 and the 14 - that still means the Tiger defense prevented 229 yards from being gained. So...yeah...see? The defense CAN stop some stuff! Sometimes!</li>
<li id="ea6wkO">Since the Central Michigan game, Missouri’s offense is 27-41 on 3rd-downs, a healthy 66% conversion rate. Again, they need to be that good to keep the defense off the field, but it is nice to see them get in more manageable 3rd-down situations and convert. </li>
<li id="adMLEP">Missouri’s receivers aren’t going to wow you with elite-level athleticism or game-breaking catch radii, but I am really digging the Tiger two-deep right now:</li>
</ul>
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<figcaption>Missouri receiving data</figcaption>
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<p id="tcIcBU">It would be awesome if Cooper and Lovett contributed now, but frankly, they aren’t currently needed. So if Cooper wants to take this year to rehab? Cool. If Lovett’s usage is mostly just to get some experience targets and prepare for next year? I’m good with that. Chism, Banister, Dove, Luper, and Hester are a good enough corps to get you yardage and Badie is the perfect receiving threat out of the backfield. DPJ and Hea don’t even need to provide much so anything they can give is bonus. It’s not a flashy group but it’s good enough for now.</p>
<p id="UfO6xL">Lastly, <a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/rock-m-nation-podcasts/2021/9/27/22696260/podcast-boston-college-recap-defense-talk-and-should-we-see-tyler-macon-more">I said it in our podcast</a> and I’ll put it here, again: the rushing success rates of Missouri’s opponents so far are...</p>
<ul>
<li id="j8pGWH">Central Michigan: 48.3%</li>
<li id="NBThHG">Kentucky: 57.8%</li>
<li id="9LhpQl">SEMO: 57.6%</li>
<li id="0XtILe">Boston College: 54.2%</li>
</ul>
<p id="OnUqGk">The passing success rates, however, look like this...</p>
<ul>
<li id="6a9IN3">Central Michigan: 37.5%</li>
<li id="VxxHqe">Kentucky: 45.0%</li>
<li id="fsuB5s">SEMO: 50.0%</li>
<li id="X2iNJ5">Boston College: 48.3%</li>
</ul>
<p id="nPA3IF">Why any opposing offensive coordinator is throwing the ball is beyond me, but if one does decide to take a bet and beat the Tigers through the air, they’ll be going up against a Top 25 passing defense. So, yeah, that’s not going to happen this year but it is encouraging that our secondary is as good as it is.</p>
<p id="MDbxt5"></p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/missouri-tigers-football/2021/9/28/22696416/beyond-the-box-score-heisman-level-dynasty-modeNate Edwards2021-09-27T14:00:00-05:002021-09-27T14:00:00-05:00MV3: The Thiccer leads the way after a loss to Boston College
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<img alt="COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 04 Central Michigan at Missouri" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/B2YzjERsxplzY327CKyOkaXazik=/0x0:6000x4000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69916236/1235086233.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Harrison Mevis’ towering 56-yarder gives him the top spot on this week’s ballot.</p> <h1 id="cK32rq">1. Harrison Mevis</h1>
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<img alt="COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 04 Central Michigan at Missouri" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/601uUGreqz1CV9qbiLNui_v9jJU=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22879931/1235086233.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="7oTbQ6">It’s indicative of the way the game ended that the Thiccer claimed the top spot here, but there’s no way he could’ve missed the ballot after that buzzer beater. (<em>editor’s note: Josh actually wouldn’t allow a ballot without him listed</em>) Lining up from 56 yards out, Mevis booted an absolute howitzer in a hostile stadium to give Missouri one more chance for a Power Five road win. Oh, and did we mention he booted his other field goal and went 4/4 on extra points? The sophomore is almost beyond words at this point... he’s likely the best kicker Missouri has had in the 21st century, and may go on to become Missouri’s all-time scoring leader.</p>
<h1 id="37rQjk">2. Tyler Badie</h1>
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<img alt="COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 25 Missouri at Boston College" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dnDOUSLeickgxrB4Y7JfdO19K74=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22879935/1235498141.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="96WYPP">Tyler Badie had his first pedestrian game of the season, but you could make a strong argument that it wasn’t his fault. Eli Drinkwitz opted to go with the air game far more often than the ground, and Bazelak missed some easy throws that Badie could have turned into big gains. But as we’ve come to expect from him, the senior popped off with some explosive touches, including a massive third down reception that saw him pick the ball almost off the turf before racing to a third-and-long conversion. It wasn’t the type of dominant performance we’ve come to expect from Badie, but Missouri would have been lost without him.</p>
<h1 id="jwJlNn">3. Keke Chism</h1>
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<img alt="COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 25 Missouri at Boston College" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/B0vgrLxtlxz8KoKfgt2Qb81HX30=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22879937/1235498474.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<p id="A5Fjmg">He didn’t grab a touchdown and his total yards weren’t eye-popping, but Keke Chism may have turned in his best game as a Tiger. The super senior used his size and strength to bully Boston College’s secondary, making several chunk receptions and even showing some shiftiness in the open field. Most importantly — no costly drops. Missouri’s effective passing game has several options at this point, and Chism may be the most reliable.</p>
<p id="HfAd34"><em>Others receiving votes: Connor Bazelak, Shawn Robinson, Tauskie Dove </em></p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="qtfQnM">
<p id="GYXRi4">How about you? Who were <em>your </em>most valuable players against Boston College? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!</p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2021/9/27/22695167/mv3-harrison-mevis-thiccer-leads-the-way-after-mizzou-loss-to-boston-college-footballJosh Matejka2021-09-27T12:30:00-05:002021-09-27T12:30:00-05:00PODCAST: Boston College recap, defense talk, and should we see Tyler Macon more?
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<figcaption>Harrison Mevis is a God. | Mizzou Athletics</figcaption>
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<p>The BC loss gave us a glimpse at how the rest of the season will go. What could Drink do to plan for the future?</p> <p id="Kin1V3">Welcome back Tiger Fans to another episode of Before the Box Score with Nate Edwards and Brandon Kiley. In this episode we talk about the loss to Boston College in overtime, full of bad turnovers and that horrendous run defense.</p>
<p id="AhyEEF">Nate and BK also share their thoughts about wanting to see a little more of Tyler Macon.</p>
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<h1 id="LCBrlL"><strong>Episode Breakdown:</strong></h1>
<p id="53jhn7"><strong>00:00 - 04:55: </strong>Hey, we lost again and that’s okay! Boston College is a tough game, especially on the road. Nate and BK start off the episode talking about expectations prior to this game.<br><strong> 04:55 - 14:55: </strong>Mizzou lost because of two main reasons: turnovers and run defense. Oh that dreaded run defense. Nate and BK go in depth on the defense.<br><strong>14:55 - 19:40:</strong> Let’s rewind back to 2016 when Odom ran the defense. And what can we learn from then?<br><strong>19:40 - 22:45: </strong> Looking forward. How can Mizzou secure a bowl game?<br><strong>22:45 - 31:31: </strong>Talking Connor Bazelak and some offense.<br><strong>31:31 - 35:33: </strong>Harrison. Freaking. Mevis.<br><strong>35:33 - 45:01: </strong>With the deep ball threat not there, should we be seeing Tyler Macon a little bit more?<br><strong>45:01 - 48:27: </strong>Final thoughts on the BC game.<br><strong>48:27 - END: </strong>That’s it. That’s the podcast.</p>
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<cite>Levi Hutmacher</cite>
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https://www.rockmnation.com/rock-m-nation-podcasts/2021/9/27/22696260/podcast-boston-college-recap-defense-talk-and-should-we-see-tyler-macon-moreLevi HutmacherBrandon KileyNate Edwards2021-09-27T09:00:00-05:002021-09-27T09:00:00-05:00Taking the Good with The Bad: Boston College
<figure>
<img alt="COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 25 Missouri at Boston College" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AxjLyK084iGBxddn_tsuyzfCxXk=/0x0:3900x2600/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69914613/1235498127.5.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Discussing the good and bad from Missouri’s OT loss to Boston College.</p> <h1 id="s9RlaQ"></h1>
<h1 id="IBpjrE">Good</h1>
<ul>
<li id="s09mRd">Tyler Badie was still his usual effective self. He finished with 106 all-purpose yards and two scores, including the go ahead TD in the fourth quarter. This was a tame performance in comparison to some of his previous games, and he still managed to rack up plenty of yards and find the end zone. Badie has been nothing short of excellent in 2021. </li>
<li id="eea5Wr">Missouri’s wide receiving corps had a pretty good day. 6 different receivers caught multiple passes, and they found a way to move the chains consistently throughout the day. In particular, Keke Chism had a really solid day. You’ll look at his line from the game (7 catches, 67 yards) and not think too much of it, but Chism was a consistent target for Bazelak and was a chain-mover. </li>
<li id="PfsRCT">Missouri’s offensive line wasn’t great, but they earned a spot in the “good” category based off their ability to keep their quarterback clean. The run game was just okay on Saturday, but they seemed to get the yardage they needed when necessary. I’ll take their performance in this game almost any day. </li>
<li id="OXB0M6">There will be some who disagree, but with the exception of two throws (I’ll get to those later), Connor Bazelak was pretty good on Saturday. Yes, the downfield accuracy leaves something to be desired at times, but there is so much more good in his game than bad. He was again uber-efficient, and led Missouri up and down the field pretty much all game. I understand the fans clamoring for him to complete more passes downfield, but what I think most don’t understand is that consistently being able to complete 7 yard hitch routes is hard. Consistently taking what the defense gives you is a difficult thing to accomplish. So while it’s okay to want to see more in a certain area, it’s also important to note that Bazelak has been leading an offense all season which has had really no issue moving the ball all year on opponents.</li>
<li id="EhWdUN">Grant McKinniss was excellent in his brief time on the field. He helped Missouri flip the field early, and also got the hold down on a few kicks that were important. He impacted the game in a positive manner by being steady and doing his job. </li>
<li id="nh8vs8">Missouri has a DUDE kicking for them in Harrison Mevis. He nailed a 56 yard FG to send the game to overtime to go along with an earlier FG as well. He also was perfect on extra points. There aren’t enough superlatives to describe Mevis, and how well he’s performed since he arrived to Missouri. He’s been consistent, has made some huge kicks, and has developed into a weapon for the Tigers. He changes how you look at the field, because as soon as you cross over the 50, you’re getting close to his range. Mizzou lost the game, but Mevis provided a moment that I think most fans won’t ever forget. </li>
</ul>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 04 Central Michigan at Missouri" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/601uUGreqz1CV9qbiLNui_v9jJU=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22879931/1235086233.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<p id="qoOCq9"></p>
<h1 id="yxNdcO">The Bad</h1>
<ul>
<li id="g226OZ">Bazelak was for the most part good against BC, but as I mentioned above... There were two throws that weren’t good at all. The opening possession for Missouri in the second half was a turnover by Bazelak after he hesitated on a throw to Barrett Banister. The second throw was just not a very good throw, and I’m sure Bazelak would like to have it back. The final throw sealed the game, and was a throw that Bazelak has to make to the back shoulder or nowhere at all. This isn’t <em>that</em> big of a deal to me because usually he takes care of the ball and avoids bad decisions like he made on Saturday. Unfortunately, he just made one mistake too many. </li>
<li id="EwYR5i">The elephant in the room needs to be discussed. This run defense is absolutely awful. I’ve said it before, but the defensive line and linebackers should take this kind of performance to heart, because they didn’t show up ready to play. They couldn’t tackle, couldn’t control gaps, and couldn’t fight back against that BC offensive line. The Eagles had a physicality that Missouri’s defense just couldn’t match and the only reason this game didn’t get out of hand is because the offense matched BC score for score, and for some reason BC’s offensive coordinator decided to put the ball in the air 29 times. There’s some who will want to blame the scheme or coaching, but there’s nothing that you can do about guys being literally pushed around. </li>
</ul>
<div id="s8u7aS">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">There is no real analysis for Missouri football at this moment aside from, the defensive line and linebackers are playing at an unacceptable level for them to win games against good teams.</p>— Aaron D. (@iAirDry) <a href="https://twitter.com/iAirDry/status/1441851116904452098?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2021</a>
</blockquote>
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<p id="uXkhRy">It is this simple. Until the defensive line, and linebackers decide to start playing at an even <em>average</em> level, this Missouri team will struggle. In each of their losses, it’s been one score games where the Tigers get absolutely gashed against the run. </p>
<p id="DQrgAg">If they’re even <em>slightly</em> below average instead of awful, this is a 4-0 football team. We are one-third of the way through the season, and it’s going to be a tough watch the rest of the way through if they can’t find a way to improve their play in the last eight games. </p>
<p id="OnGYur"></p>
<p id="7ecA6j"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/iAirDry">Follow me on Twitter @iAirDry!</a></p>
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https://www.rockmnation.com/missouri-tigers-football/2021/9/27/22695606/taking-the-good-with-the-bad-boston-college-missouri-secAaron Dryden2021-09-27T07:30:00-05:002021-09-27T07:30:00-05:00The Revue: Why did this need to happen?
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ErcaZvfsxP9JKL7jE-KGJuYZRRk=/0x0:1440x960/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69914182/trumanted.0.jpg" />
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<p>The Revue asks, “Why Boston,” before considering field-storming and celebrating our beloved thiccer.</p> <p id="q7DALM">Before we get into the goofy part of this post, a few spare notes from Mizzou’s ill-fated trip to the land of Dunk’n and chowder.</p>
<p id="RQzb4a">1. There are far too many movies set in Boston. This presents a problem for me as the author of this Revue and also a general movie fan, because I can only handle so many movies about corrupt <em>cawps</em> and the <em>impawtance</em> of family... but I’ve got so much material to pull from here.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wF9eDGyu5ENQJXf9KcUDCtoGd2k=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22881054/trumanted.jpg">
<cite>Josh Matejka</cite>
<figcaption>Come on, this is a layup, right?</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="zmuLrN">But seriously, even though <em>Bawston</em> is a potential treasure trove of Revue <em>cawntent</em>, let’s not do this again. Even if Eli Drinkwitz’s comments about the game this week seemed a little odd, he was speaking only the God’s honest truth. There should be no reason for any Mizzou Football team to make the trek up northeast again. Never. Ever. Ever. What good did this game do for Mizzou other than rile up fans with little to no understanding of how good Boston College is (and they’re pretty good!) who expected a Mizzou blowout despite all the evidence to the contrary.</p>
<p id="sbVnHv">Next time BC calls you up on the phone, Mizzou, thank them for giving us Madeline Kahn, Matt Damon and W.E.B. Du Bois. Then you can hang up.</p>
<p id="ISFFUS">2. I’m split on the whole, “Boston College fans storming the field after beating Mizzou.” First, it shouldn’t be anyone’s first instinct to shame college kids for wanting to have fun. I never once got to charge the field while at Mizzou (though I did sneak on in the middle of the night once), and it feels like a special badge of honor for any school worth its salt. If the BC students are really that revved up about this year’s team and felt like a win over Mizzou merited storming the field, hey, more power to you. I’m not paying the fine.</p>
<p id="6tiJru">Second though, and don’t forget it because this is important, lmao. My friends, you are storming the field after beating <strong>Missouri</strong>. I’m not going to sit over here and pretend that Missouri is UConn bad, but BC has to have a higher standard for itself, higher at the very least than, “reigning Music City Bowl selection, Missouri Tigers.” </p>
<p id="wvGqSE">So in summation, you should 100% rush the field if you feel like it (as long as there are other people doing it and the game is over). But also maybe consider the state of the opposing program before trampling your buddy’s drunk girlfriend to celebrate the defeat of a program that somewhat recently employed Derek Dooley as one of the three most important members of its coaching staff.</p>
<p id="y4Efzk">3. Absolutely, I genuinely cannot explain for the life of me why there are appear to be people wanting to fire Steve Wilks after 4 games. Why, I ask? Why? Did you watch Mizzou at the end of last season? Did you ever see Nick Bolton play? Have you watched this defensive line the past two-ish years? Do you think Mizzou is a school that turns tail on a major coaching decision after four games?</p>
<p id="L3ASS2">Explain it to me like I’m five. I genuinely do not understand.</p>
<h1 id="eym2XW">The (Actual) Revue</h1>
<h3 id="81ROnW">Black Mass</h3>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Qoj_mPuXKN0eIWUksEQ1xieGqHs=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22881162/drinkblackmass.jpg">
<cite>Josh Matejka</cite>
</figure>
<p id="8rXHRJ">★★☆☆☆</p>
<p id="DlyPGg">As I’ve said before, far too many movies are set in Boston.</p>
<p id="msTNND">There’s just not much about the specific geography of the location that intrigues me. Monotonous, working class cityscapes? Not necessary specific to the northeast. Harbor town? Just shoot in the Bayou, where the accents are more fun. Corrupt policing? Just throw a dart at a map and go where it says.</p>
<p id="4cwM8K">Still, Mizzou Studios apparently thought it necessary to base the next feature in Beantown, and the results go just about as well as you’d expect. But aside from the obvious question of, “why is this movie being made,” it’s hard to make a case that Eli Drinkwitz’s fourth feature in his second contract year stands on its own merits. A potentially compelling central performance by Connor Bazelak is derailed by errant passes and poor decisions that displayed a strange lack of chemistry with his co-stars. Bazelak has always been a reliable guy, but <em>Black Mass</em> doesn’t suit his tastes at all, a truly bizarre misfire from every angle.</p>
<p id="iZd6b6">Not to mention, the writing and staging of Drinkwitz’s fourtheenth total feature with Mizzou Studios is done with truly poor execution. The design of the thing is generally ugly, lacking both the creativity <em>and</em> the ability to play to its strengths that a Drinkwitz feature usually has. The pace is stodgy and drab, vacillating quickly between stretches of run time that work seamlessly to others where no one on screen seems to know what the plan is or how they’re moving the story forward. </p>
<p id="yfxo5Q">This is especially true of the unit helmed by Assistant Director Steve Wilks, who continues to struggle after his Week 1 M-y win. Cast debutant Blaze Alldredge was serviceable in his role on Saturday, but looks a far cry from the leading man the studio needed to replacement former A-lister Nick Bolton. That’s not to pile on Alldredge too much, however, as his supporting cast doesn’t give him much room to work. It feels like he’s getting blown off the screen before he can assert himself, leading to performances that feel hurried and inconsistent.</p>
<p id="Ur8Vis">Much more could be said about the meandering, disappointing final product but the question that keeps coming back to this reviewers mind is: Why did this need to happen? Drinkwitz and his crew have done an excellent job thus far at churning out features that have some sort of exuberant flair, even when they turn out to be subpar. <em>Black Mass</em> has its moments, but largely lacks the quality and sustained energy that would fit it along even the second-or-third tier works in the Eli Drinkwitz filmography.</p>
<h1 id="zA827R">And the M-y goes to...</h1>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JQF_qOd-XeiIWAKX7_UkoPBGI4U=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22880781/goldenglobe.png">
</figure>
<h2 id="TYKntu">Best Actor in a Leading Role: Harrison Mevis in his recurring role, “Thiccer”</h2>
<div id="IA29Lq">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Less dwelling on the loss to BC. <br><br>More love and support for our thicc kicker, Harrison Mevis. <a href="https://t.co/vlwi2B41FN">pic.twitter.com/vlwi2B41FN</a></p>— Mark Kim (@MarkJKim_) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkJKim_/status/1441853521150681092?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2021</a>
</blockquote>
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<p id="GrmQfZ">Major props to Mark Kim for getting on this, can’t believe I didn’t think of it myself.</p>
<h2 id="tS5x1V">Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Keke Chism as “Chunk Yardage Chism”</h2>
<p id="TUFxwN">You’ll want to reference the forthcoming MV3 for more thoughts on this award, but Chism was far and away Mizzou’s best receiver this week. Anytime the Tigers needed some chunk yards, Chism stepped up and made them happen, bullying any Boston College secondary member on his way.</p>
<h2 id="vbub8R">Best Adapted Play-Calling: Eli Drinkwitz for “Oh look, another flea-flicker”</h2>
<p id="lp9S9J">It is absolutely bananas to me how many times this play has worked with Eli Drinkwitz at the helm, but it almost always does. Credit to Drink for playing the hits and playing them with gusto.</p>
<p id="CMhC0p"></p>
<p id="fI2GoO"></p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/missouri-tigers-football/2021/9/27/22695689/the-revue-why-did-this-need-to-happen-mizzou-boston-college-college-footballJosh Matejka2021-09-26T05:00:00-05:002021-09-26T05:00:00-05:00Pourover: Mizzou’s run defense is helping us adjust season expectations
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<img alt="COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 25 Missouri at Boston College" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Cs_GYMGxiXomJ9GrWo5luG_-Wq0=/0x10:3900x2610/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69910032/1235498170.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Or, “Why we should all listen to Nate Edwards more often”. </p> <p id="rN5Y6S">There was a moment after Missouri scored to go ahead in the 4th quarter when you sensed it. With almost 6 minutes left to play, and a 4 point lead, Missouri’s much maligned defense needed to do something they’d largely failed to do all day. They needed to stop Boston College’s offense from scoring a touchdown. </p>
<p id="kbnCuP">It went just about as you thought it would. Starting with a penalty for unnecessary roughness, BC started on their own 40 yard line. Here are the plays in succession:</p>
<ul>
<li id="zKPVsp">1st & 10 — rush up the middle for 4 yards</li>
<li id="NkEaJC">2nd & 6 — Offsides on Missouri</li>
<li id="LMl2Q5">2nd & 1 — rush up the middle for no gain</li>
<li id="0YTr1T">3rd & 1 — rush up the middle for 2 yards</li>
<li id="MCVOWN">1st & 10 — rush up the middle for 2 yards</li>
<li id="Gnotm4">2nd & 8 — rush to the right for 4 yards</li>
<li id="foHcge">3rd & 4 — pass middle for 6 yards</li>
<li id="hHZbvd">1st & 10 — pass right for 8 yards</li>
<li id="d0Chri">2nd & 2 — rush up the middle for 6 yards</li>
<li id="Z9RAr7">1st & 10 — rush to the left for 14 yards, penalty on the offense for facemask</li>
<li id="dj3qMS">1st & 12 — pass middle for 7 yards</li>
<li id="QTNIqn">2nd & 5 — rush up the middle for 3 yards</li>
<li id="31eApd">2rd & 2 — rush up the middle for 3 yards</li>
<li id="vwsBWQ">1st & 10 — rush right for 7 yards</li>
<li id="yks3DL">2nd & 3 — pass incomplete</li>
<li id="Ksg68D">3rd & 3 — rush up the middle for 5 yards, Touchdown. </li>
</ul>
<p id="Shwq4L">15 plays, 60 yards. 11 rushes, 36 yards. Missouri gave them 20 yards on penalties, they gave 15 of it back, with another 21 yards through the air. The only bonus you could takeaway from it was when they scored on 3rd and 3 from the 5 yard line with 25 seconds left on the clock, instead of getting stopped one more time and taking even more time off the clock, because it never felt like the Missouri defense was capable of executing well enough to get the stop they needed. The additional time only gave us another reason to further elevate the mythology of the Thiccer, Harrison Mevis, when he banged in a 56 yard field goal to tie the game. </p>
<p id="wgcreF">As much as I expected Mizzou’s defense to come up short on that last drive, I also expected to see Mevis bang that field goal through the uprights as long as they were within 60 or so yards. </p>
<p id="D0Nzk9">Four games into the 2021 season and Missouri is a disappointing 2-2. Clearly this isn’t the start everyone hoped for. The offense isn’t perfect, but far from the problem. The special teams look pretty good, but the defense... well it’s ugly. For all the excitement in the offseason surrounding Eli Drinkwitz fixing some open holes in the secondary (and he did, Akayleb Evans and Allie Green IV have been solid at least), the holes in the defensive line and in the linebacking corps worsened via offseason movement.</p>
<p id="NZc6bk">Mizzou’s defense wasn’t great last year, but it had Nick Bolton. And Bolton cleaned up a lot of mistakes last year. They also had Tre Williams, who never quite looked like the budding All-American candidate he looked like against <a href="https://www.goodbullhunting.com">Texas A&M</a> yesterday, but could always be counted on to be a solid and consistent player. The point is— absent a few key pieces, and without importing any ready made playmakers, the defense is just what it is at this point. </p>
<p id="Gd0CxI">BK mentioned <a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/2021/9/25/22693641/five-takeaways-from-mizzou-tigers-41-34-loss-at-boston-college">Drink’s one-score magic</a> in his 5-takeaways last night, and I talked about the close game record in <a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/22646144/state-of-the-program-missouri-football-year-2-under-eli-drinkwitz">the State of the Program</a>, but it’s really prescient because it helps us set expectations. If a couple key close games flip their results last year it’s a lot more likely we aren’t surprised by this apparent slow start. As I said, Missouri was much closer to being a 3-7 team last year than even a 6-4 team. </p>
<p id="Qy8OAW">Eli Drinkwitz has been an exciting hire and made a lot of headway for Mizzou in its recruiting. Landing elite playmakers like Mookie Cooper, Sam Horn, and hopefully Luther Burden is all very exciting, but the most important recruits coming in are Marquis Gracial and Deshawn Woods and Xavier Simmons. And not just those guys but the same guys who’ll hopefully be in the 2023 class, and 2024. Drink has to be able to keep the recruiting momentum up and moving forward even as the season wanders away from our early hopes or expectations. As the fair weather fans’ attention wanes, the attention of high level recruits needs to be laser focused on what Drink’s vision of the program can be. </p>
<p id="S0FJx1">As all we’ve seen so far is there’s a ways to go. But Tennessee is still a winnable game, go get back above .500. I think the goals shift a bit, but still plenty to play for. </p>
<p id="SbSEOR">Stats from StatBroadcast:</p>
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<img alt="stat broadcast boston college 9252021" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/x_GRo5284ISE6nppC9YXEmRHd4c=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22877919/bc_1.png">
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<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="stat broadcast boston college 9252021" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wxUKF-6f6LWwY3qHS3LmcuxD8HY=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22877920/bc2.png">
</figure>
<h3 id="XA9uad">Here are your other SEC scores:</h3>
<ul>
<li id="ByOO3n">1. Alabama 63, Southern Miss 14</li>
<li id="X3tBc9">2. Georgia 62, Vanderbilt 0</li>
<li id="4ohCmm">16. Arkansas 20, 7. Texas A&M 10 </li>
<li id="ffMGre">11. Florida 38, Tennessee 14</li>
<li id="3xLi7B">23. Auburn 34, Georgia State 24</li>
<li id="K8PMZe">
<a href="https://www.andthevalleyshook.com">LSU</a> 28, <a href="https://www.forwhomthecowbelltolls.com">Mississippi State</a> 25</li>
<li id="nUv1sv">Kentucky 16, South Carolina 10</li>
</ul>
<h1 id="QvdtMQ">Yesterday at Rock M</h1>
<ul>
<li id="0hoeFf"><a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/2021/9/25/22691739/missouri-vs-boston-college-football-gameday-info-where-to-watch-predictions">Missouri vs Boston College football GameDay: info, where to watch, predictions</a></li>
<li id="Hq0BKj"><a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/2021/9/25/22690839/bottoms-up-missouri-tigers-fans-its-the-leaf-peeping-edition">Bottoms Up! The Leaf Peeping Edition</a></li>
<li id="AORYNM"><a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/2021/9/25/22693106/tigers-fall-in-overtime-to-boston-college-despite-4th-quarter-comeback">Tigers fall in overtime to Boston College despite 4th quarter comeback</a></li>
<li id="Q94CJZ"><a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/2021/9/25/22693641/five-takeaways-from-mizzou-tigers-41-34-loss-at-boston-college">Five Takeaways from Mizzou’s 41-34 loss at Boston College</a></li>
</ul>
<h1 id="NgSBg8">GameDay Links:</h1>
<ul>
<li id="RR89RJ"><a href="https://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/misery-for-mizzou-in-ot-at-boston-college/article_a60cc600-9df6-5f12-879c-b0fa1e371983.html">Dave Matter’s game story</a></li>
<li id="FdMAsm"><a href="https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article254520847.html">Lila Bromberg’s game story</a></li>
<li id="xF1GGI"><a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/sports/mizzou_football/mu-battles-but-still-broken-on-d-in-ot-loss-at-bc/article_501071b0-1e30-11ec-afc0-07741900ab39.html">Columbia Missourian Wilson Moore’s game story</a></li>
<li id="hyHEcW">Trib’s Eric Blum <a href="https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/sports/college/tiger-extra/2021/09/25/live-scores-and-updates-missouri-tigers-football-takes-boston-college-eagles-ncaa-sec-acc/5864417001/">wraps up the day</a>
</li>
<li id="Ps3snJ">If you’re looking to sign up for ESPN+, Rock M Nation now has an affiliate link: <a href="https://espn.zlbu.net/c/482924/535101/9070?sharedid=RockMNation">click Here for ESPN+ Now!</a>
</li>
</ul>
<p id="QDR51h"></p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2021/9/26/22693606/pourover-mizzou-boston-college-football-reaction-stats-analysis-recapSam Snelling2021-09-25T18:01:42-05:002021-09-25T18:01:42-05:00Five Takeaways from Mizzou’s 41-34 loss at Boston College
<figure>
<img alt="COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 25 Missouri at Boston College" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vQFlIGXKI1KqoQAwOtKU98n3YvI=/0x0:3900x2600/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69909099/1235498454.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Eli Drinkwitz’s one-score magic ran out, and the Tigers lost a heartbreaker in Boston. </p> <p id="0DcrTB">It had the makings of an instant classic. It was reminiscent of Eli Drinkwitz’s signature victory against <a href="https://www.andthevalleyshook.com">LSU</a>.</p>
<p id="U28Hml">And then everything fell apart.</p>
<p id="EtA0Xm">The Tigers lost a heartbreaker in overtime at Boston College by a final score of 41-34. That’s the headline. The meat and potatoes of the game was somehow more demoralizing than the score itself.</p>
<p id="1jCpKa">The offense was hot-and-cold. The defense (still) couldn’t figure out how to stop the run. And the legend of Harrison Mevis, aka the Thiccer Kicker, continued to grow.</p>
<p id="mlGqxC">Let’s break it all down in our five takeaways from the second one-score loss of the season.</p>
<h2 id="M20YvW"><strong>1) The Tigers defense had no answers for the Boston College rushing attack</strong></h2>
<p id="kZPfrG">Boston College finished with 275 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. That’s bad. This is worse: Missouri’s defense has allowed at least 275 rushing yards in three separate games this year. The only other season in the last two decades in which the Tigers allowed at least 275 yards in three individual games was 2016. Missouri finished that season with a record of 4-8. </p>
<p id="aMyH1r">A complete inability to stop the run makes football a whole heck of a lot easier for the opposition. And it looked <em>way</em> too easy for Boston College in that game. The Eagles rushed for 122 yards in the first quarter, 101 yards in the third quarter and the only thing that kept the Tigers’ defense alive was when Boston College puzzlingly decided to pass.</p>
<p id="zikQ1O">I’m only half kidding.</p>
<p id="a9mWrq">Boston College only had three drives <em>not</em> result in points. Their first drive lasted one play and resulted in an interception. Their first drive of the second quarter lasted three plays and resulted in a punt. The Eagles passed on second and third down, both of which resulted in incompletions. And on their first possesion of the fourth quarter, Boston College once again passed on second and third down resulting in two incomplete passes and once again punting the ball to Missouri.</p>
<p id="xraXPF">Boston College scored five touchdowns and two field goals on its other seven possessions.</p>
<p id="2HCYbS">Every time Boston College threw the ball, Missouri’s coaching staff should have sent BC a thank you letter. BC’s 29 pass attempts went for an average of six yards per attempt. That’s the same yards per attempt average as when they simply turned around and handed the ball to a running back.</p>
<p id="VCMqER">There are no easy fixes for this issue. The defensive line is getting pushed back. The linebackers aren’t filling their correct gaps. There are missed tackles. There are bad angles from defensive backs. It happened against Central Michigan and Kentucky. It happened to Missouri’s backups in the fourth quarter against SEMO.</p>
<p id="nj6HVK">And it happened again on Saturday against Boston College.</p>
<p id="vVrEyt">Missouri’s next three opponents (Tennessee, North Texas and <a href="https://www.goodbullhunting.com">Texas A&M</a>) each rank among the top 50 nationally in rushing yards per game. This could get worse before it gets better.</p>
<h2 id="WuCvqw"><strong>2) Missouri needs more from Connor Bazelak</strong></h2>
<p id="ghTV63">That stat line is impressive; Bazelak finished the day 30-for-41 for 303 yards and a touchdown. He added three carries for 15 yards on the ground. He wasn’t sacked and the official stats show he was only hit twice.</p>
<p id="IbuTWA">But there were two throws he made that he simply can’t make. Both resulted in interceptions. One clinched the game for Boston College. </p>
<p id="8WVakV">The first interception was midway through the third quarter. It appeared to be a shot play on play action designed to go to Barrett Banister on a crossing route. But it was under-thrown, late, and went straight to a dropping defender.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">PICKED OFF<br><br>Josh DeBerry picks off Connor Bazelak!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BostonCollege?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BostonCollege</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Missouri?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Missouri</a><br><br> <a href="https://t.co/VDJ9kZt0Se">pic.twitter.com/VDJ9kZt0Se</a></p>— Sideline CFB (@SidelineCFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/SidelineCFB/status/1441829088289771522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2021</a>
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<p id="oVqVLw">And then there was the overtime interception to end the game. Bazelak attempted to throw a corner route to Keke Chism. It was double-covered, at best. He trusted his guy to go up and win at the catch point. But there was <em>zero </em>need to make that throw in that spot. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">THAT'S BALLGAME<br><br>Sebastian seals the win for the Eagles in OT! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForBoston?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForBoston</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/BCFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BCFootball</a> <a href="https://t.co/bvw8Doe5RW">pic.twitter.com/bvw8Doe5RW</a></p>— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ACCFootball/status/1441849737225904132?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2021</a>
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<p id="IIRTLT">It’s overtime. Your coach has already told you that if you score, you’re going for two. This drive is the game. And Bazelak threw it up for grabs on a 50/50 ball on first and 10 when your offense has had success driving down the field for the vast majority of the game? It just didn’t make any sense.</p>
<p id="uZYF4q">A big part of playing quarterback is understanding time and situation. That was one of Bazelak’s strengths last season. He rarely tried to do too much. Unfortunately, on Saturday, he tried to do too much and it came back to bite him twice.</p>
<p id="5a3ka0">It wasn’t just the interceptions, though. Bazelak was off on some of his “easy” throws, too. There were multiple times when Bazelak had a receiver open in the flat and he just... threw it at their feet? It was strange. I can’t explain it. I believe the first was a slip route behind the line of scrimmage to Bannister, and the other that immediately comes to mind was a third down conversion in the fourth quarter to Tyler Badie. Badie caught the ball and converted it for a first down, but the pass was at his shoestrings and if it were just about any other player, it likely would’ve hit the ground and resulted in an incompletion.</p>
<p id="RA0O70">Bazelak is a perfectly fine starting college quarterback. He wasn’t the biggest reason the Tigers lost that game against Boston College. But this run defense isn’t getting any better. The offense has very little margin for error. If Missouri is going to win six or seven games, it needs more from Bazelak.</p>
<h2 id="Tskngl"><strong>3) That might have been Keke Chism’s best game in a Missouri uniform</strong></h2>
<p id="WKi5t6">The box score might not scream “great game” for Chism, but his impact was felt in that game from start to finish. His final line was seven receptions for 67 yards. That’s the most receptions he’s had in any individual game in a Missouri uniform, and it’s tied for the second most yardage he’s had in any game with the Tigers.</p>
<p id="dLjgq2">The numbers are one thing. The impact is even more significant. Five of his seven receptions resulted in a first down. Two were critical conversions on a third and a fourth down to extend drives. He had a gain of five on fourth and two and a gain of 17 on third and two. </p>
<p id="QsQn0Y">Missouri’s been looking for a true possession receiver in Drinkwitz’s offense, and it appears to have found one in Chism. He’s played that role at times, but Saturday felt different. He looked confident, and he was catching everything thrown his way. He’s a big, physical receiver on a team that lacks them. Getting him involved early and often should be a significant part of the game plan moving forward. </p>
<h2 id="8Oj9kH"><strong>4) Harrison Mevis is one of the best Missouri kickers... ever</strong></h2>
<p id="MoRWwg">Mevis is coming off one of the <a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/2021/8/27/22640527/thiccer-kicker-is-ready-for-his-encore">best seasons by a freshman kicker </a>in the last 20 years of college football. He’s adding to his legend in 2021.</p>
<p id="JDov5x">Mevis started the season 16-for-16 on extra points and 3-for-3 on field goals coming into the Boston College game. Mevis came into the week as <a href="https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/play-index/pgl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=single&year_min=2021&c1stat=xp_pct&c1comp=gt&c1val=100&c2stat=fg_pct&c2comp=gt&c2val=100&c3stat=xpa&c3comp=gt&c3val=10&c4stat=fga&c4comp=gt&c4val=3&order_by=date_game">one of 10 power five kickers</a> to make 100 percent of his extra points and field goals (min. 10 XP, 3 FG).</p>
<p id="f6BQQ2">He was already putting together one heck of an encore performance. And then came his finest moment, the kick to tie the game against Boston College.</p>
<p id="3bDbXV">The Tigers were down by three with 25 seconds to play. They drove 36 yards on just six plays to get into field goal position. Well, that’s not fair. They were in Mevis position. Most college kickers don’t have a prayer kicking a 56-yard field goal. Mevis is #BuiltDifferent.</p>
<p id="XK8IjB">He was already 1-for-1 on field goals and 4-for-4 on extra points in the game. And then he absolutely DRILLED the game-tying field goal as time expired. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">56-YARD FIELD GOAL TO SEND TO OVERTIME<br><br>MIZZOU KICKER FOR HEISMAN<br><br> <a href="https://t.co/9uuLZJQq3M">pic.twitter.com/9uuLZJQq3M</a></p>— PFF College (@PFF_College) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1441846594429603842?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2021</a>
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<p id="c5WWVY">It’s a kick that won’t be remembered as much as his game-winner last year against Arkansas, but this was even more impressive. That kick was from 32 yards away. This kick tied the longest made field goal by any kicker this season. It happened on the road in a sold out environment and it sent the game into overtime. </p>
<p id="oa53wn">Harrison Mevis very well might go down as Missouri’s all-time leading scorer. He simply added to his legend on Saturday.</p>
<h2 id="KKfxDB"><strong>5) This loss wasn’t shocking, but that doesn’t make it feel any better</strong></h2>
<p id="d2TWTL">Missouri was <em>technically</em> favored in this game, but it was about as close as any game can get to being a pick ‘em. The numbers nerds (I say that affectionately) predicted a Boston College win. The only real question was how the Eagles’ backup quarterback, Dennis Grosel, would play. </p>
<p id="jJfMMf">He was fine. And fine was enough.</p>
<p id="k1hxip">Boston College is a really solid team with a quality coaching staff. They have an imposing offensive line and a heck of a running back. If you grade talent by recruiting rankings, <a href="https://bostoncollege.rivals.com/news/how-bc-and-mizzou-starters-rated-as-high-school-recruits">this was a game of two similarly rated teams</a>.</p>
<p id="gJ52WL">Nate Edwards spent his offseason trying to <a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/2021/6/21/22540656/resetting-the-table-part-ii-lets-talk-about-the-quality-of-the-missouri-football-team">tamp down expectations for this Missouri team</a>. This isn’t the end product. Eli Drinkwitz is very much still in the early portions of the rebuild. The Tigers probably outperformed the “quality” of their roster because of late-game magic and winning all three of its one-score games. We’re seeing the inverse of that in 2021 with Missouri losing both of its one-score games. It doesn’t feel nearly as good.</p>
<p id="1qMSBK">Nate also tried to warn about the difficulty of playing against this particular Boston College team. Let’s take a look back to<a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/2021/6/1/22461414/2021-football-opponent-previews-boston-college-eagles"> his game preview</a>, from <em>June</em>.</p>
<blockquote><p id="s7d1kR"><em>I hate this game. I hate that the Tigers are playing an offense that is uniquely equipped to take advantage of an obvious Missouri weakness. I hate that Missouri has to travel to Boston to play it. I hate that the next week Mizzou will be going up against division foe Tennessee. I have no idea who scheduled this or for what reason, but there is no reasonable football argument that could be made for playing this game. The SEC schedule is hard enough as it is; why complicate it by playing another P5 team on the road on the east coast?</em></p></blockquote>
<p id="pERf5s">That looks pretty prophetic right about now. Winning this game would have been a bigger statement for Drinkwitz than beating LSU last year. I know it wouldn’t have registered as such for the vast majority of the fanbase. But it should’ve.</p>
<p id="vCcHfK">This was an incredibly difficult test for a Missouri team that <em>still</em> has not won a true road game on the opposing team’s campus since 2018 (Missouri beat Arkansas in Little Rock in 2019).</p>
<p id="6hh6Ps">Boston College is probably better than you thought. Missouri is probably a little worse than we hoped. That’s the reality of where things stand today. The Tigers still have every opportunity to win six games this season, but Tennessee, North Texas, Vanderbilt and South Carolina are now all legitimate must-win games. The margin for error is non-existent.</p>
<p id="6gmlvA">Missouri lost its first two swing games of the season. It doesn’t feel good. And I’m not here to tell you it should. </p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2021/9/25/22693641/five-takeaways-from-mizzou-tigers-41-34-loss-at-boston-collegeBrandon Kiley2021-09-25T15:19:58-05:002021-09-25T15:19:58-05:00Tigers fall in overtime to Boston College despite 4th quarter comeback
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<p>Mizzou found themselves down 27-17 in the third but miraculously forced overtime before a Bazelak INT sealed the game.</p> <p id="U8oLwU">Following an early season loss to Kentucky, it was clear that for Mizzou to keep the positive momentum under Drinkwitz going, this was a pivotal game.</p>
<p id="nUzEEy">The Tigers came out playing like it at the start. The opening drive saw Mizzou go for it on fourth and one and convert off a tipped pass. That fortunate deflection was followed by a touchdown pass from Connor Bazelak to Barrett Banister two plays later.</p>
<p id="NcbuHA">The defense then responded in suit, with Shawn Robinson securing his second career interception on the first offensive play from Boston College.</p>
<p id="xq8puO">Then, the special teams joined in on the fun, pinning Boston College at the 2-yard line thanks to another great punt from Grant McKinnis, who has started out the season showing why he was placed on the Ray Guy Award Watchlist.</p>
<p id="SbmDvE">However, some poor tackling resulted in a 67-yard touchdown run for Boston College on the next drive to tie things up at 7 apiece.</p>
<p id="A6YBHV">An efficient drive from Bazelak highlighted by a flea flicker to Tauskie Dove set up Missouri inside the ten, and Badie proceeded to push his way into the end zone to regain the lead.</p>
<p id="P9xUWD">That impressive Boston College offensive line, featuring a couple future high NFL draft picks, continued to do whatever they wanted against the Mizzou front seven. Run after run after run came at the Tigers, and it resulted in a tie game to start the second quarter.</p>
<p id="fotiLA">After a couple of rare defensive stops, Bazelak led a lengthy drive, peppering the ball to different targets all over the field. The drive stalled inside the ten, though, as Badie was forced backwards on multiple runs. Harrison Mevis stayed perfect on the year to make the score 17-14 midway through the second quarter.</p>
<p id="s5JfMz">The Eagles would mount a drive thanks to an explosive pass play to convert a 3rd and long, but a sack from Blaze Alldredge and a host of Mizzou defenders would force BC to settle for a field goal to tie the game up at the half.</p>
<p id="fuF5bN">Through the first half, the themes of the season for Missouri continued. Bazelak and Badie were leading an efficient and balanced attack, but the run defense was again being diced up. The Eagles have one of the best offensive lines Mizzou will see, but the Tigers will not win many games if they keep getting pushed around like this. BC had 123 rushing yards on 8.2 yards per carry in the first half.</p>
<p id="fswRe6">Out of the halftime break, nothing changed. The Eagles came out and set the tone with a drive that lasted over six minutes to go up 24-17.</p>
<p id="65DGH6">Missouri’s response was not encouraging. Bazelak underthrew Barrett Banister for his second interception of the year, and all the momentum shifted in Boston College’s favor.</p>
<p id="edFHPe">Boston College quarterback Dennis Grosel began to really hurt Missouri with his legs in the second half, as he scrambled for multiple first downs including a key 4th down conversion to keep their next drive alive. That was another long drive that lasted until nearly the end of the third quarter. Bazelak and the offense were on the field for one drive that lasted 38 seconds during the third, and were down 27-17 at the end of the quarter.</p>
<p id="jJhi04">Things began to shift at the start of the fourth quarter, as Bazelak linked up with Tauskie Dove to convert a 3rd and long. Potentially was the biggest play of the game for the Tigers up to that point, as it really stopped the bleeding of from the previous quarter.</p>
<p id="slnp04">Michael Cox punched in a score from one yard out to cut the lead for the Eagles down to three.</p>
<p id="5P5b4P">The Tiger defense stepped up in response, as they got pressure on Grosel on two straight plays to force a 3-and-out.</p>
<p id="d86cty">The next drive was all Tyler Badie. He made a great catch on a third and nine that kept the drive alive, and then got two cracks at the end zone inside the ten and converted the second one. The scoreline now read 31-27, in favor of Missouri.</p>
<p id="ERAume">Boston College did not back down, however. The Eagles drove down the field yet again, scoring an emphatic touchdown (shocker: on the ground) to go up 34-31 with under 30 seconds left.</p>
<p id="TBT2n7">Badie opted for a fair catch with plenty of room to run on the kickoff, starting the offense out from the 25 on their final drive. Bazelak slightly overthrew Banister on a potentially game-changing throw, but completed the next one to get the Tigers out to midfield with 11 seconds left. Chism ripped a throw away from a defender to get another first down, and Banister set Mevis up for a 56-yard attempt that would tie the game as time expired.</p>
<p id="VEhTxC">“I’m usually the first one to know if it is good or not,” Mevis said. “Based on contact, I kinda knew.”</p>
<p id="fMN17b">To overtime we went, as Mevis yet again solidified himself as one of the premier kickers in the nation.</p>
<p id="sEGJch">Grossel then linked up with his favorite target, Zay Flowers, for a touchdown to start off the overtime period, and Bazelak threw a risky ball into triple coverage that got picked off on the first play of Mizzou’s series, sealing the loss for the Tigers.</p>
<p id="aImgTZ">It was another game in which Mizzou fought back from a double-digit lead in the second half, but another game in which they came up just short. The offense was solid yet again, but lacked a consistent presence from Tyler Badie like we become accustomed to in recent games. With the defense, it was more of the same issues that have been present in every game this year— no gap integrity, poor tackling, and just overall being pushed around too much. If Bazelak never has the ball (like what happened in the third quarter) because the other team controls the time of possession, then this offense will not find a rhythm. The Eagles had 275 yards on the ground, and held the ball for over 34 minutes of game time, dominating the second half in that aspect.</p>
<p id="8it8Ql">“It’s about us,” Drinkwitz said in the postgame. “It isn’t about anyone else right now.”</p>
<p id="2hMteD">Missouri will take on Tennessee next Saturday at Faurot Field at 11:00am on the SEC Network.</p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2021/9/25/22693106/tigers-fall-in-overtime-to-boston-college-despite-4th-quarter-comebackParker Gillam