Rock M Nation - Missouri moves to 1-0 with 20-point win over South Dakota StateA Blog for Ol' Mizzouhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50319/rmn-fav.png2014-09-05T12:00:03-05:00http://www.rockmnation.com/rss/stream/58421302014-09-05T12:00:03-05:002014-09-05T12:00:03-05:00Depth charts and a bit more from SDSU
<figure>
<img alt="Sean Culkin and John Gibson" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gWO5RJbL9RMXU-vQTvnAExZ2bZ0=/0x82:4000x2749/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/37947458/20130921_ajw_ad4_111.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Sean Culkin and John Gibson | Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Let's update Missouri's depth charts and share a few more last-second observations from the South Dakota State game.</p> <p>I've also included in the gallery above the updated diagrams of Mizzou's depth chart in their various defensive and offensive formations. We saw some new out of Mizzou including the QB under center when in short yardage situations and be here eventually.</p>
<h4>On Offense</h4>
<p>Over in <a target="_blank" href="http://www.columbiatribune.com/blogs/behind_the_stripes/snap-decisions-culkin-goes-wide-and-defensive-starters-go-deep/article_9ceca55a-318c-11e4-9529-001a4bcf6878.html">David Morrison's Snap count article</a> he noted that despite the tight end seeing the field over twice as much compared to 2013, and playing out wide nearly as much in one game as Mizzou tight ends did all last year, <span>Sean Culkin</span> didn't see many targets (two!) and failed to capitalize on either of them. I went ahead and GIF'd both plays.</p>
<p><img style="-webkit-user-select: none;" src="http://giant.gfycat.com/EquatorialCarelessElephantbeetle.gif"></p>
<p>It's obvious to me that this short yardage play was designed explicitly to target Sean Culkin over the middle of the defense. Never mind that the linebacker was on him like bad drapes, or that the free safety was waiting to crush him if the pass was high. What I got from this was two things: Mauk and Culkin don't yet have the chemistry to connect on that pass, and Josh Henson has not forgotten about the tight end in the offense. You'll see that in the next play:</p>
<p><img src="http://giant.gfycat.com/CookedComplicatedBluebreastedkookaburra.gif" style="-webkit-user-select: none;"></p>
<p>On second-and-long, Mizzou comes out with the tight end in the slot. The play is designed to pick up about five yards to set up a third and short depending on how many YAC Culkin can manage if he turns outside after the catch. The pass from Mauk is to the outside in order to find the space cleared out by <span>Jimmie Hunt</span> running his short out. There appears to have been some mis-communication since Culkin turned and stopped after 5 yards - from my vantage point in the stands I could see Mauk signaling to Culkin after the play that he was supposed to cut out down the 50 yard line.</p>
<p>Essentially what I got from this is that, unlike last year where the first second and third options were all wide receivers and the Tight End was a luxury, this year, depending on how quickly Culkin can get on board with Mauk, I expect Josh Henson will see to it that Gary Pinkel's favorite position will play a larger role in the offense.</p>
<h4>Back to the secondary</h4>
<p>In <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rockmnation.com/2014/9/3/6100549/missouri-defense-dave-steckel-nickel-aarion-penton">my article Wednesday about Mizzou's secondary</a> and specifically the play of their corners I didn't get the chance to address the times where Mizzou did, in fact, play press coverage with <span>Aarion Penton</span>. I went ahead and GIF'd it below so to demonstrate what can happen when a large wide receiver matches up against a smaller corner back playing tight to the line of scrimmage.</p>
<p><img src="http://giant.gfycat.com/FearlessTanAtlanticspadefish.gif" style="-webkit-user-select: none;"></p>
<p>It takes a special combination of fast and long to be able to play the kind of press coverage many football fans wish to see out of their corners. Mizzou is gaining a reputation for defensive lineman and quarterbacks, but finding a way into the niche athlete pool it would take to transition to press coverage takes a very long time. Since coaches only have years to build recruiting pipelines and weeks to teach players about fundamental defenses they stick with the kind of athletes they can land and the kind of defenses that provide the least risk exposure.</p>
<p><a href="http://online.wsj.com/articles/how-the-seattle-seahawks-changed-the-nfl-1409757930">How the Seattle Seahawks Changed the NFL - WSJ</a></p>
<blockquote> <p><span>Rather than fielding the usual bunch of regular-sized speedsters in the defensive backfield to keep up with opposing receivers, Seattle decided to go big. By starting the tallest, largest cornerbacks possible—the 6-foot-3 Sherman or the 6-foot-1 <span>Byron Maxwell</span>, for instance—they tried to disrupt receivers at the line of scrimmage to throw off the timing that is crucial to the back-shoulder ballet.</span></p> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://online.wsj.com/articles/how-the-seattle-seahawks-changed-the-nfl-1409757930"></a>But it wasn't just the height of Seattle's cornerbacks—they also had long arms. That is a trait more appreciated in linemen than defensive backs. Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rodgers is a master of the back-shoulder throw.</p> <p>According to Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid, the numbers say long arms are crucial: Reid said that having long arms is the equivalent of having an extra tenth-of-a-second advantage on a 40-yard dash. It was the equivalent of one full step, which can mean everything at the speed of the NFL. For Seattle, it worked like a charm. If one of those pinpoint passes did get through, one of their long-armed cornerbacks would simply poke it away.</p> </blockquote>
<p>By the way, did that play look familiar? It should -- last year <span>Dorial Green-Beckham</span> had, in my opinion, one of his best games against an aggressive pressing defense when Mizzou played Florida. He made the catch below after getting through press coverage at the line. Once he was over the top of his man it was more about his athleticism and size than anything else.</p>
<p>As long as Mauk didn't put the ball behind him DGB was going to make the play.</p>
<p><img src="http://i.minus.com/ibvqmxCaLrx2Qz.gif" style="-webkit-user-select: none"></p>
<p>I included this final GIF of Aarion Penton's interception in the endzone because I wanted to mention how AMP's (yes I'm going to start calling him AMP now) athleticism helped him make the play. Sure the pass was overthrow but that's some incredible hip-swivel while running backwards.</p>
<p><img src="http://giant.gfycat.com/UnlinedSimplisticEquestrian.gif" style="-webkit-user-select: none;"></p>
<h4>Infographics!</h4>
<p>I compiled this, hover over the image below to find GIFs, videos and articles highlighting Mizzou's win over South Dakota State</p>
<p><span><img class="alwaysThinglink" src="http://i.imgur.com/0GaBeTx.png#tl-564350027409915906;1043138249'" style="max-width:100%"><script src="//cdn.thinglink.me/jse/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script></span></p>
<h4><a href="http://www.thinglink.com/scene/564350027409915906">Click thru here for a larger image</a></h4>
<p>Special thanks to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rockmnation.com/2014/9/3/6104277/sdsu-play-map-please-help-me-analyze-this" style="background-color: #ffffff;">bannedwagoner</a></p>
<h5>Well that's all from last week folks. Anyone have any observations or corrections? Leave them in the comments.</h5>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2014/9/5/6104985/missouri-football-depth-chart-sean-culkinOscar Gamble2014-09-05T05:11:49-05:002014-09-05T05:11:49-05:00Evan Boehm literally wears Mizzou on his Heart<img src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jVgEsa_vaAMp4FopPmeQ1iCDW_0=/410x410/cdn.vox-cdn.com/fan_shot_images/343098/EvanBoehm_medium.png" />
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>The Junior center for Mizzou can be seen sporting this old school tattoo logo in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0jEpjwddhg" target="new">this Happy Birthday video</a> from the Mizzou Football team after their win over South Dakota State.</p></p></div>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2014/9/5/6109555/evan-boehm-literally-wears-mizzou-on-his-heartOscar Gamble2014-09-03T09:00:07-05:002014-09-03T09:00:07-05:00Turnovers and defensive play-calling
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G4BFT_BgV9mHmyBRCDGv5EJWWBQ=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/37868528/20140830_jla_bv1_816.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>An exciting sophomore cornerback gets some teaching moments, the cushioned coverage pays off, and no matter what the depth chart says, Missouri's defense is much more 4-2-5 than not.</p> <p>After Mizzou's 38-18 win over South Dakota State, a lot of fans knew <span>Aarion Penton</span> as the guy they were concerned about in the secondary.</p>
<p>It'd be fair to say that even he was feeling the heat.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/campus-corner/article1347430.html" target="_blank">Missouri cornerback Aarion Penton shows resiliency in season opener | The Kansas City Star</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Frustration started to set in for Penton. "I really did feel like they were picking on me," said Penton, a sophomore. "I don’t blame them, though. They did a good job putting me to sleep with the run game, so they got a couple big plays on me. But a real good corner snaps back into it and takes advantage of them going to their side."</p>
<p>Jake Wieneke caught passes of 45 and 8 yards to start South Dakota State’s next drive, but, when Lujan tried to zip a touchdown past Penton, his good fortune (and the game) turned permanently. Penton stepped inside the receiver and picked off his first pass of the season in the end zone.</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="paragraph25" class="pgh-paragraph" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 1em; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;"><img style="-webkit-user-select: none" src="http://giant.gfycat.com/CreativeUnimportantCanine.gif"></p>
<p>Penton <a target="_blank" href="http://www.columbiatribune.com/sports/mu_football/tigers-defense-gets-takeaways-stops-at-important-points-of-/article_16120647-8d74-5714-b4ec-1c609122d567.html">continued:</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Most of the damage came against Penton, who was repeatedly left on an island against 6-foot-5 Jason Schneider and 6-4 Jake Wieneke. Lujan finished 21 of 28 for 239 yards, with six passes for 107 yards going to Wieneke.</p>
<p>Penton said the defense had not seen any film on Lujan, who put more loft on his passes than Sumner.</p>
<p>"They kind of put me to sleep that first quarter with just the run game. They were pounding and pounding it," Penton said. "I didn’t really feel like they were going to put it in the air at all. I guess they knew we were asleep."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Watching from my seat it was evident that Penton was giving up several inches to SDSU's 6'5" WR and perhaps even fudging about the 5'10" listed on the depth chart. Right before Penton's interception I even remarked aloud that maybe Steckel needed to switch up the personnel due to the height disparity. Then he made that play and all was forgotten.</p>
<p>Of course, Penton's interception was almost as much the fault of SDSU's backup QB floating the ball too deep into the endzone as it was a credit to Penton's athleticism and vision to find the ball. The cushion Penton gave Wieneke is precisely what gave him the opportunity to make that play.</p>
<p>For as long as I can recall, Mizzou fans have been asking why our corners give so much cushion to opposing receivers. Had Mizzou lined up in the sort of press coverage demanded and SDSU had broken the press this play would have been a guaranteed touchdown. Free safety <span>Ian Simon</span> was in help coverage over the top, with two receivers running deep routes on the opposite side of the field. That cushion allows the secondary to play with the ball in front of them, which is often confused for conceding "cheap yards" to the offense on slants and underneath routes. Ian Boyd addressed this very subject last year in a post perfectly titled <a style="font-family: Arial, 'Open Sans', helvetica," href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2013/6/27/4468750/college-football-defense-soft-coverage-mike-stoops" target="_blank">"Why aren't we covering those guys?!"</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3608425/mustreads.css">
</p>
<blockquote>
<p>In reality, a quick hitch pass against a corner playing in a deep alignment will just as often result in a big hit on your receiver, possibly even a pass break-up. What people should be disparaging is usually not deep alignments by the corners but deep alignments played poorly. Also ignored in this fallacious argument is the idea of what constitutes "cheap yards." A throw to the outside receiver on the other end of the far hash is a long throw fraught with peril. There is great need for both accuracy and velocity on the throw to be effective. If the throw doesn't meet those requirements, you are looking at a minor gain of yards unless the defense misses tackles. That's a high risk, low reward throw for the offense and a sensible one for the defense to allow. You can't defend the entire field, so it makes sense to encourage throws to parts of the field that are easier to defend and won't break your back</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Given <a href="http://www.rockmnation.com/2014/8/26/6059193/missouri-safeties-college-football-nickelbacks-duron-singleton">that we already know Dave Steckel likes putting his safeties in space and letting them make plays</a>, it's no stretch to think that he's going to do the same with his corners. Deep lying corners who can tackle take away big plays over the top of the defense and also allow them to make breaks on the ball when it's in front of them. You see that as interceptions, big hits or pass break ups. Looking at the stats from the game you begin to see that.</p>
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" width="100%" class="sortable">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th align="left">Position</th> <th align="center">Name</th> <th align="center">Height</th> <th align="center">Weight</th> <th align="center">Year</th> <th align="center">Snaps</th> <th align="center">Stats</th>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">LCB</td>
<td align="center"><span>John Gibson</span></td>
<td align="center">6'0</td>
<td align="center">190</td>
<td align="center">So.</td>
<td align="center">18</td>
<td align="center">2 tks</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">LCB</td>
<td align="center"><span>David Johnson</span></td>
<td align="center">5'11</td>
<td align="center">195</td>
<td align="center">Jr.</td>
<td align="center">17</td>
<td align="center">1tk</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">RCB</td>
<td align="center">Aarion Penton</td>
<td align="center">5'10</td>
<td align="center">185</td>
<td align="center">So.</td>
<td align="center">51</td>
<td align="center">2 tks 5 a/tk 1 INT</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">RCB</td>
<td align="center"><span>Kenya Dennis</span></td>
<td align="center">6'0</td>
<td align="center">190</td>
<td align="center">Jr.</td>
<td align="center">38</td>
<td align="center">1 tk 1 a/tk</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">RCB</td>
<td align="center"><span>Logan Cheadle</span></td>
<td align="center">5'10</td>
<td align="center">170</td>
<td align="center">Fr.</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
<td align="center">N/A</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">SS</td>
<td align="center"><span>Braylon Webb</span></td>
<td align="center">6'0</td>
<td align="center">200</td>
<td align="center">Sr.</td>
<td align="center">53</td>
<td align="center">1 tk 2 a/tk 1 fumble recovery</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">SS</td>
<td align="center">Duron Singleton</td>
<td align="center">6'1</td>
<td align="center">210</td>
<td align="center">Sr.</td>
<td align="center">42</td>
<td align="center">1 tk 1 a/tk 1 INT - 19 yards</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">SS</td>
<td align="center"><span>Anthony Sherrils</span></td>
<td align="center">6'0</td>
<td align="center">190</td>
<td align="center">RSFr.</td>
<td align="center">3</td>
<td align="center">N/A</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">FS</td>
<td align="center">Ian Simon</td>
<td align="center">6'0</td>
<td align="center">195</td>
<td align="center">Jr.</td>
<td align="center">48</td>
<td align="center">4 tks 1 a/tk 1 forced fumble</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">FS</td>
<td align="center"><span>Cortland Browning</span></td>
<td align="center">6'1</td>
<td align="center">205</td>
<td align="center">Jr.</td>
<td align="center">23</td>
<td align="center">N/A</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">FS</td>
<td align="center"><span>Thomas Wilson</span></td>
<td align="center">5'10</td>
<td align="center">190</td>
<td align="center">Fr.</td>
<td align="center">4</td>
<td align="center">N/A</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" width="100%" class="sortable">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th align="left">Defensive Set Success</th>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left"><b>Package</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Production</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Average</b></td>
<td align="center"><b>Results</b></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left"><b>Nickel</b></td>
<td align="center"></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">Run</td>
<td align="center">16 for 119 yards</td>
<td align="center">(7.44)</td>
<td align="center">TD</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">Pass</td>
<td align="center">19-of-26 222 yards</td>
<td align="center">(8.54)</td>
<td align="center">INT fumble recovery</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">Sack</td>
<td align="center">3 for -12 yards</td>
<td align="center">(-4.00)</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left"><i>Total</i></td>
<td align="center"><i>45 plays 329 yards</i></td>
<td align="center"><i>(7.31)</i></td>
<td align="center"><i>INT fumble recovery</i></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left"><b>4-3</b></td>
<td align="center"></td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">Run</td>
<td align="center">12 for 9 yards</td>
<td align="center">(0.75)</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left">Pass</td>
<td align="center">4-of-6 24 yards</td>
<td align="center">(4.00)</td>
<td align="center">INT</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left"><i>Total</i></td>
<td align="center"><i>18 plays 33 yards</i></td>
<td align="center"><i>(1.83)</i></td>
<td align="center"><i>INT</i></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p align="center">(Snap-counts via <a target="_blank" href="http://www.columbiatribune.com/blogs/behind_the_stripes/snap-decisions-culkin-goes-wide-and-defensive-starters-go-deep/article_9ceca55a-318c-11e4-9529-001a4bcf6878.html">David Morrison</a>, stats via of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mutigers.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2014-2015/game1.html#GAME.DEF">MUTigers.com</a>)</p>
<p>What you see is a lot of Mizzou in the 4-2-5 Nickel with safeties playing their responsibilities deep to shallow. As soon as they know the play is in front of them they attack the ball carrier looking for a big hit, forced fumble, interception or pass break up. Such a play was evident on <span>Duron Singleton's</span> interception where, even though the pass was tipped by the SDSU receiver, the interception was due to Singleton playing up, putting him in the position to make a play on the deflection.</p>
<p><img style="-webkit-user-select: none" src="http://giant.gfycat.com/PastelExaltedDorking.gif"></p>
<p>Singleton said of the interception:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"That was one of the craziest interceptions I've ever had in my career. I was in Cover 3, tried to bang the slot receiver and as soon as I turned around, it was there. I almost fell, actually. But it just happened to fall right in my hands. Just in the right spot at the right time."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Mizzou's <a href="http://www.garypinkel.com/mizzou-football-wins-south-dakota-state/" target="_blank">46-game streak of forcing a turnover</a> is absolutely a result of a concerted effort by Steckel's defense to force opposing quarterbacks to make high-risk low-reward throws and capitalizing on mistakes. Much was made about Mizzou giving up long third downs but ultimately they had very little effect on this game.</p>
<p>Morrison pointed out something else I found interesting,</p>
<blockquote style="margin: 0 0 0 40px; border: none; padding: 0px;"></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>"...Missouri just didn't go 4-3 often..."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>followed by,</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"Speaking of the 4-3, Missouri was killer in it, giving up only 33 yards in 18 plays and producing Penton's interception."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The 4-3 defense wasn't directly responsible for producing Penton's interception, but it highlights that Steckel turned to it when he needed a stop.</p>
<p>There was a lot of talk last week about how Mizzou would be playing primarily a vanilla offense and defense. Fans saw that on offense with the heavy emphasis on the run game. I think the common thinking was we'd mostly see Mizzou in a 4-3 -- I even made comments to that effect. In reality, Mizzou's vanilla defense was the same <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rockmnation.com/2014/8/1/5950861/mizzou-defense-cotton-bowl-shane-ray-markus-golden-braylon-webb-duron-singleton">4-2-5 Nickel Defense we saw Mizzou field in its Cotton Bowl victory over Oklahoma State</a>.</p>
<p>This leaves me to ponder what exactly Steckel has up his sleeve with his 4-3 defense where he used <span>Donavin Newsom</span> to great effect.</p>
<p>And since I've spent so much time talking about corners in this point I'll leave you with a quote from Monday that stood out to me:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>"When I got here (to Mizzou), we had one scholarship cornerback, and he was getting surgery the next morning." - Coach Pinkel.</p>
— Patrick Crawford (@p_crawf) <a href="https://twitter.com/p_crawf/status/506542121705566208">September 1, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
</blockquote>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2014/9/3/6100549/missouri-defense-dave-steckel-nickel-aarion-pentonOscar Gamble2014-09-02T14:38:37-05:002014-09-02T14:38:37-05:00BTBS: Mizzou-SDSU
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<figcaption>Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p><a href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/five-factors" target="_blank">This offseason at Football Study Hall, I tinkered with an idea called the Five Factors</a>, in which I talked about football games being basically decided by, yes, five interrelated factors: efficiency, explosiveness, field position, finishing drives, and turnovers. I thought it would be interesting to use the first BTBS post of the season, then, with the Five Factors idea in mind.</p>
<h3>Efficiency</h3>
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<p>Every play is deemed either successful or not, and over the course of a game or season, you can use this as an efficiency measure, as you would on-base percentage in baseball. It helps to describe a team's ability to stay on schedule and avoid drive-crippling passing downs. (How crippling are passing downs? The national success rate on standard downs was 48 percent. On passing downs: 32 percent.) Efficiency might matter more to teams without a ton of explosiveness, but on some level it matters to everybody.</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">-- <a href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2014/1/24/5337968/college-football-five-factors" target="_blank">Five Factors</a></p>
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<p><b>Success Rate (close): Missouri 48.1%, SDSU 30.2%<br>Rushing Success Rate (close): Missouri 50.0%, SDSU 23.1%<br>Passing Success Rate (close): Missouri 45.0%, SDSU 37.0%<br>Standard Downs Success Rate (all plays): Missouri 52.1%, SDSU 29.7%<br>Passing Downs Success Rate (all plays): Missouri 41.7%, SDSU 29.6%</b></p>
<p>On SDSU's two touchdown drives, the Jackrabbits gained 150 yards in 11 plays (13.6). The rest of the game, they gained 215 yards in 53 plays (4.1). They went three-and-out four times and narrowly missed out on a fifth when they threw and interception on third down instead. It was an unusual game in this regard -- big plays keeping an FCS team in the ballgame instead of efficiency or good breaks.</p>
<p>Missouri's success rates were good, thanks mostly to the run and early-game passing. The Tigers were four percent over last year's national average when it came to standard downs success rate (which means it was a below-average performance overall once you take opponent into consideration), while SDSU 18 percent below. On passing downs, Missouri was about 10 percent over last year's national average while SDSU was two percent below.</p>
<p>Adjusting for opponent, then, Missouri was quite good in passing downs offense and standard downs defense, iffy in passing downs defense, and poor in standard downs offense.</p>
<p><b>Missouri Targets & Catches</b><br><span>Jimmie Hunt</span>: 5 targets, 3 catches, 31 yards (6.2 per target)<br><span>Marcus Murphy</span>: 4 targets, 3 catches, 20 yards (5.0 per target)<br><span>Darius White</span>: 3 targets, 2 catches, 83 yards (27.7 per target)<br><span>Wesley Leftwich</span>: 3 targets, 2 catches, 10 yards (3.3 per target)<br><span>Bud Sasser</span>: 2 targets, 2 catches, 37 yards (18.5 per target)<br><span>Sean Culkin</span>: 2 targets, 0 catches<br><span>Russell Hansbrough</span>: 1 target, 1 catch, -3 yards</p>
<p>So slot receivers (Hunt and Murphy) caught six of nine passes but averaged only 5.7 yards per target, while outside receivers (White, Leftwich, Sasser) caught six of eight passes and averaged 16.3 yards per target. Throw more to the outside guys!</p>
<p>(Of course, Mauk only threw to them when they were open, so...)</p>
<h3>Explosiveness</h3>
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<p>My first stab at this (and the point of this post) is <a target="_blank" href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/varsity-numbers/2013/vn-isolating-explosiveness">to build off of an idea in the comments of one of my Varsity Numbers pieces at Football Outsiders</a>.</p>
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<p>One way of measuring this that might be useful is PPP per successful play. That might more directly get at the key question - when you have successful plays, are the REALLY successful, or just a little successful.</p>
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<p style="text-align: right;">-- <a href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2014/1/27/5349762/five-factors-college-football-efficiency-explosiveness-isoppp" target="_blank">Isolating explosiveness with IsoPPP</a></p>
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<p>I've used PPP for years in these BTBS write-ups; IsoPPP basically Equivalent Points divided by Successful Plays instead of Equivalent Points divided by Total Plays. It's a pretty easy concept to understand, and it completely strips apart my efficiency measure of choice (success rate) from my explosiveness measure.</p>
<p><b>Yards Per Play: Missouri 6.6, SDSU 5.7<br>IsoPPP: SDSU 1.03, Missouri 0.88<br>Rushing IsoPPP: SDSU 1.56, Missouri 0.55<br>Passing IsoPPP: Missouri 1.54, SDSU 0.78<br>Standard Downs IsoPPP: SDSU 1.19, Missouri 0.67<br>Passing Downs IsoPPP: Missouri 1.02, SDSU 0.77</b></p>
<p>While the game was considered "close," SDSU had only six successful rushes in 26 attempts, a dreadfully low 23.1 percent success rate. But one of those six carries went for a 75-yard touchdown on the strange, "bobble it, then pause and let all the defenders run by you, then run for a touchdown" play by Zach Zenner. To say the least, that skewed the rushing averages. Missouri was much more dangerous passing downfield, as evidenced by Maty Mauk's three touchdown passes 112 yards, mostly in the air (as opposed to a short pass and a long run). SDSU did have four passes of at least 20 yards, which produced big-play averages higher than you'd like to see. But overall, Missouri was efficient enough to hold a healthy lead in overall yards per play.</p>
<h3>Field Position</h3>
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<p>Field Position might have more influences than any of the Five Factors. To win the field position battle is to move, kick, punt, and return the ball better than your opponent. Or at least three of the four. And you probably want to win the turnover battle, too. Field Position is a mix of a ton of other factors. How much of each? [...]</p>
<p>* <u>Field Position</u>: Turnover Margin (21%), Success Rate (37%), Kick Margin (22%), Punt Margin (22%)</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">-- <a href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2014/1/30/5361594/college-football-five-factors-field-position" target="_blank">What derives field position?</a></p>
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<p><b>Average Starting Field Position: Missouri 35.5, SDSU 23.3<br></b><b>Success Rate (close): Missouri 48.1%, SDSU 30.2%</b><b><br>Net Kicking: Missouri 40.6 (in seven kicks), SDSU 12.7 (in three)<br>Net Punting: Missouri 43.0 (in four punts), SDSU 35.5 (in six)</b></p>
<p>Missouri dominated the little things in this game. Big plays gave SDSU a fighting chance, but not only was Missouri far more efficient than SDSU (which impacts field position quite a bit), the Tigers were also far more effective in kicks and returns. Only twice all game did the Jackrabbits start a possession beyond their 30-yard line: they started at their 31 once and their 37 once. Meanwhile, Missouri started drives at the SDSU 10 and 32 and only started inside its 25 twice. That adds up.</p>
<h3>Finishing Drives</h3>
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<p>Using these four measures -- Success Rate, IsoPPP, Red Zone Success Rate, and FG Efficiency -- I started tinkering. I'm just knowledgable enough to be dangerous when it comes to polynomials in Excel, and using 2013 data only, I was able to craft pretty strong projections for Points Per Trip by crafting an individual projection for each measure (projecting Points Per Trip by using only Success Rate, only IsoPPP, etc.) and using these weights:</p>
<p><b>* Offense: </b>28% Red Zone Success Rate, 25% IsoPPP, 20% Success Rate, 27% FG Efficiency. This wasn't the weighting I expected, but it produced a correlation of 0.906 between projected and actual points per trip.</p>
<p><b>* Defense:</b> 34% IsoPPP, 26% Red Zone Success Rate, 23% Opponents' FG Efficiency, 17% Success Rate. Correlation between projected and actual: 0.858.</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">-- <a href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2014/4/1/5564396/college-football-five-factors-finishing-drives" target="_blank">What matters when it comes to finishing drives?</a></p>
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<p><b>Points Per Scoring Opportunity*: Missouri 4.43, SDSU 3.40<br>Red Zone Success Rate: <br></b><b>Success Rate (close): Missouri 48.1%, SDSU 30.2%</b><b><br></b><b>IsoPPP: SDSU 1.03, Missouri 0.88</b><b><br>Field Goals under 40: SDSU 1-1, Missouri 0-1<br>Field Goals over 40: Missouri 1-2, SDSU 0-0</b></p>
<p><i>* Scoring Opportunities are defined as drives in which you either score from more than 40 yards out or have a first down inside the opponent's 40.</i></p>
<p>Missouri twice missed field goals, which meant that its overall averages were only average. But the Tigers held SDSU far below average in this regard, thanks mostly to turnovers. The Jackrabbits threw an interception from the MU 22 and lost a fumble at the MU 14. This is a bit lucky on Missouri's part, but it's also been a steady reason for the Tigers' success through the years.</p>
<h3>Turnovers</h3>
<p><b>Interceptions: Missouri 2, SDSU 0<br>Pass Break-ups: Missouri 3, SDSU 0<br>Fumbles: SDSU 2, Missouri 1<br>Fumble Recoveries: Missouri 2, SDSU 1</b></p>
<p>On average, you'll pick off 23 percent of your passes defensed (interceptions plus break-ups), which means that Missouri probably should have expected to have only one interception instead of two. Meanwhile, they recovered two of the game's three fumbles. That means the Tigers benefited from a bit of turnovers luck, albeit in a small sample size.</p>
<p>***</p>
<p>When you dominate in field position, outdo your opponent finishing drives, benefit from turnovers luck, and drastically outpace your opponent in success rates, you would probably expect to win by more than 20 points. But standard downs inefficiency, a couple of missed field goals, and that first-play, 75-yarder allowed SDSU to keep things close.</p>
<p>Again, a lot of our suspicions were confirmed in this game. Missouri has a lot of big-play potential on offense but could suffer from efficiency problems when the run isn't enough. Meanwhile, the Tigers should be very efficient against the run but could suffer from time to time on pass defense.</p>
<p>On to Toledo.</p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2014/9/2/6098081/missouri-south-dakota-state-stats-analysisBill Connelly2014-09-02T05:00:02-05:002014-09-02T05:00:02-05:00Watercooler: Snap counts, highlights, Don Cheadle
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<figcaption>Bud Sasser and Gavin Otte celebrate a late touchdown | Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Good morning Mizzou fans, today we're recovering from intense Labor Day festivities by watching highlights from SDSU, examining player snap counts, and looking forward to a road test against Gary Pinkel's old school.</p> <h3>
<a href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo.jpg" target="_blank" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.25em; background-color: #ffffff;"><img alt="Newlogo_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo_medium.jpg"></a> What's On</h3>
<p>This is the first day without football since we kicked off the season last week. What gives?</p>
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<a href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo.jpg" target="_blank" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.25em; background-color: #ffffff;"><img alt="Newlogo_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo_medium.jpg"></a> Professional Tigers - huh...</h3>
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<p>2013 <a href="https://twitter.com/SEC">@SEC</a> Defensive Player of Year & <a href="https://twitter.com/nfl">@NFL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/STLouisRams">@STLouisRams</a> draft pick <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelSamNFL">@MichaelSamNFL</a> invited to <a href="https://twitter.com/WWE">@WWE</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RAW?src=hash">#RAW</a> next week! <a href="http://t.co/mbaJy4WuR4">pic.twitter.com/mbaJy4WuR4</a></p>
— WWE (@WWE) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWE/statuses/506610952201310208">September 2, 2014</a>
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<a href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo.jpg" target="_blank" style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.25em; background-color: #ffffff;"><img alt="Newlogo_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo_medium.jpg"></a> Media Quotes</h3>
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<h2><a href="http://www.rockmnation.com/2014/9/1/6092203/missouri-football-russell-hansbrough-maty-mauk" target="_blank">SDSU, Mansbrough, Maty Mauk</a></h2>
<img style="-webkit-user-select: none;" src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/37766454/20140830_jla_bv1_599.jpg.0_standard_400.0.jpg">A ton more news in yesterday's links if you're interested in Mizzou coverage</div>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.mutigers.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090114aac.html">MUTIGERS.COM Mizzou Football Media Day Quotes - Sept. 1</a></p>
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<p>Head coach Gary Pinkel</p>
<p>Opening statement...</p>
<p>"Good afternoon everybody. I appreciate you being here. First an injury report. We came out of the game (Aug. 30 vs. South Dakota State) in fairly good condition, minus a few bumps and bruises. The depth chart really hasn't changed. <span>Morgan Steward</span> is still out for this game (at Toledo). We're not sure when he'll return. Hopefully in a few weeks, but it will be a week-by-week evaluation. The University of Toledo and head coach Matt Campbell have done a good job there. They have an outstanding team and are very well coached. They are a disciplined team and I'm very impressed with them. They have a lot of players back from a year ago, and Mizzou fans know how good they were a year ago. They're back this year with 16 or 17 starters. It will be a great challenge for us, and it's a great environment to play at (The Glass Bowl). We have to prepare hard and give it our best effort."</p>
<p>On returning to Toledo as the Mizzou head coach...</p>
<p>"All three of my kids graduated from high school in Toledo, Ohio. I was there 10 years and have a lot of friends there. They have great people and a great community. It's a big part of my life and career. I'll always be a Toledo Rocket, but obviously not this weekend. Once game times comes, trust me, you focus and you go. I'll be able to do that."</p>
<p>On Toledo's quarterback (Alabama transfer), <span>Phillip Ely</span>, performance in Week One against New Hampshire...</p>
<p>"He played really really well. He threw for over 300 yards, and I was very impressed. We saw the film of him today. He has a lot of poise. He knows what he's doing. He doesn't sit in the pocket too long and he gets rid of the ball. He's got a very experienced offensive line in front of him, and a lot of other players around him that can play. It was very impressive to see him play the way he played. They got a good one there."</p>
<p>On the difficulty of preparing for an opposing transfer quarterback like Ely...</p>
<p>"It doesn't matter. You can complain that you don't have more film on a player, but you have what you have. What we do is study him, and see what they do on offense with this guy as compared to past years. You kind of get a general philosophy there. Everybody does some things a little differently, but we know he's very talented and has very good accuracy. He's a very good player."</p>
<p>On Maty Mauk returning to his home state where he played high school football...</p>
<p>"I'd like to think that he (Mauk) would just go and play football. That's really ultimately what you have to do. Like when he played against Florida or South Carolina last year, you got to just play football. Obviously, he'll have a lot of people there from his hometown (Kenton, Ohio), but I think he'll be fine. I'll be disappointed if he's not focused and ready to go Saturday. He will be."</p>
<p>On <span>Maty Mauk's</span> play against South Dakota State...</p>
<p>"He threw 62-percent completion. Threw long balls, completions and big plays. He did a lot of good things. I think what we all have to remember, myself included, is that this was only his fifth career game started. He didn't come off a full year of playing football. The timing of our passing game still isn't that consistent as it needs to be, but we're working on it to make it better. Overall, I think he did a really good job."</p>
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<p>And here's the running word cloud for Gary Pinkel's first two media days of 2014: <a href="http://t.co/j6sqAPhUKE">pic.twitter.com/j6sqAPhUKE</a></p>
— Pete Scantlebury (@PeteScantlebury) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteScantlebury/statuses/506633882410971136">September 2, 2014</a>
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<a href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Newlogo_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo_medium.jpg"></a> South Dakota State</h3>
<p>Mizzou 38 - South Dakota State 18 Highlights</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/FeiwHvNG8qE" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mizzou?src=hash">#Mizzou</a>/Toledo notes: <a href="http://t.co/6jJ31SyxS1">http://t.co/6jJ31SyxS1</a>. These 2 tied for most combined kicks returned for TD in school history. <a href="http://t.co/NsSLrS8Lbs">pic.twitter.com/NsSLrS8Lbs</a></p>
— Patrick Crawford (@p_crawf) <a href="https://twitter.com/p_crawf/statuses/506579463014862848">September 1, 2014</a>
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<p><img src="http://giant.gfycat.com/OrdinaryHighCheetah.gif" style="-webkit-user-select: none;"></p>
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<a href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Newlogo_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo_medium.jpg"></a> SNAP COUNTS!</h3>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.columbiatribune.com/blogs/behind_the_stripes/snap-decisions-culkin-goes-wide-and-defensive-starters-go-deep/article_9ceca55a-318c-11e4-9529-001a4bcf6878.html">Dave Morrison | SNAP DECISIONS: Culkin goes wide and defensive starters go deep - Columbia Daily Tribune | Columbia Missouri: Behind The Stripes</a></p>
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<p>So you've probably figured out by now that I'm kind of obsessed with how Missouri is going to use its tight ends this year. But I think I have good reason. Josh Henson did some pretty new stuff Saturday, at least compared to what he did last year.</p>
<p>First off, Culkin lined up wide 26 times in one game. He and <span>Eric Waters</span> combined to line up wide 27 times all of last year, in 14 games.</p>
<p>Culkin saw 53.1 percent of his snaps out wide Saturday. Contrast that with last year, when only 6.1 percent of the tight ends' snaps came with them lined up unattached to the line.</p>
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<a href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Newlogo_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo_medium.jpg"></a> CHEADLE!</h3>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.columbiatribune.com/blogs/behind_the_stripes/missouri-notes-the-fresh-faces-in-the-secondary-edition/article_2ca8210a-3229-11e4-af5e-001a4bcf6878.html">Missouri Notes: The "Fresh Faces in the Secondary" edition - Columbia Daily Tribune | Columbia Missouri: Behind The Stripes</a></p>
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<p>Cheadle said his cousin, actor Don Cheadle, was texting with his father throughout the game: "He showed me a text after the game that said, 'When are they going to put him in?!' Because we had a reasonable lead. I know he was watching." (Cheadle played the final three snaps of the game, on South Dakota State's last series.)</p>
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<a href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Newlogo_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo_medium.jpg"></a> Toledo</h3>
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<p>"When I got here (to Mizzou), we had one scholarship cornerback, and he was getting surgery the next morning." - Coach Pinkel.</p>
— Patrick Crawford (@p_crawf) <a href="https://twitter.com/p_crawf/statuses/506542121705566208">September 1, 2014</a>
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<h2><a href="http://www.rockmnation.com/2014/9/1/6094701/2014-missouri-depth-chart-toledo-marcus-murphy" target="_blank">2014 Missouri depth chart: Minimal changes heading into Toledo week</a></h2>
<img style="-webkit-user-select: none;" src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/37797182/454396082.0_standard_400.0.jpg"><span>Rickey Hatley</span> is now listed at No. 2 end instead of No. 3 DT.</div>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.mutigers.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090114aaa.html">MUTIGERS.COM Tigers Turn Toward Toledo - Official Athletic Site Official Athletic Site - Football</a></p>
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<p>LAST TIME VS. THE ROCKETS</p>
<p>Mizzou and Toledo will be meeting for just the second time ever, with last year's 38-23 Tiger win in Columbia serving as the fi rst contest between the two schools. The game was tight throughout, as Mizzou held a slim 24-23 lead late in the third quarter. But the Tigers buckled down and put together a crucial 75-yard touchdown drive to end the third quarter for a 31-23 lead and a little breathing room, then they capitalized on a Toledo special teams miscue to account for the final score. A Toledo punt went just nine yards after it hit off a personal protector's back, and the Tigers took over at the UT 44-yardline. Ten plays later, Mizzou TB Marcus Murphy ran for an 8-yard touchdown, and Mizzou had a 38-23 lead with 10:29 left in the game. Toledo outgained Mizzou in total offense by a 387-384 margin, but Mizzou won the turnover margin 3-to-1, with all turnovers being interceptions. The Tigers had a key takeaway right before halftime, as safety <span>Matt White</span> intercepted a tipped ball in the MU endzone to stop a Rocket scoring opportunity</p>
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<p>In case you think Depth Charts are cool, <a style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Gotham Narrow SSm A', 'Gotham Narrow SSm B', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14.880000114440918px; color: #010101 !important; background-color: #e5c100;" target="_blank" class="poster" href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/bannedwagoner">bannedwagoner</a> made some really cool infographics for you</p>
<p><img src="http://www.sagerion.com/2014DepthCardToledo.png" style="-webkit-user-select: none;"> <img style="-webkit-user-select: none;" src="http://www.sagerion.com/2014RosterToledo.png"></p>
<p><a href="http://www.sagerion.com/2014DepthCardToledo.pdf" target="_blank">Printable Wallet-Sized Depth Card</a></p>
<p><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" target="_blank" href="http://www.columbiatribune.com/sports/mu_football/brady-ross-cleared-to-join-mu-s-football-team/article_6b6411ed-a735-5c62-aad3-6f6d6176c1c8.html">Brady, Ross cleared to join MU's football team - Columbia Daily Tribune | Columbia Missouri: MU Football</a></p>
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<a style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.25em; background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Newlogo_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo_medium.jpg"></a> SEC and College Football</h3>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.rollbamaroll.com/2014/9/2/6096169/who-needs-a-blogpoll-week-two">Who Needs a Blogpoll: Week Two - Roll 'Bama Roll</a></p>
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<p><b>Last Out </b></p>
<p><a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Missouri Tigers</a>: Inconsistent against a decent FCS team won't win the SEC-East.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.teamspeedkills.com/2014/9/1/6094633/college-football-rankings-sec-power-poll-ballot" target="_blank">SEC Power Poll Ballot After Week 1 - Team Speed Kills</a></p>
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<p>9. Missouri Or you can just beat up on an FCS team.</p>
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<a style="font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.25em; background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Newlogo_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo_medium.jpg"></a> VolleyZou</h3>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.rockmnation.com/2014/9/1/6090903/net-results-9-1-14-volleyzou-opens-the-season-and-mizzou-soccer">Net Results 9-1-14: VolleyZou opens the season and Mizzou Soccer messes with Texas - Chris L Turner and MIZ...TCU</a></p>
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<p>I could talk about the game, but you would probably want to hear about it from someone who actually had the opportunity to be there, so I pass it off to Kevin Able (MIZ...TCU) for his own thoughts on the game.</p>
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https://www.rockmnation.com/2014/9/2/6095877/missouri-football-depth-chart-snap-counts-toledo-don-cheadleOscar Gamble2014-09-01T05:00:03-05:002014-09-01T05:00:03-05:00Watercooler: SDSU, Mansbrough, Mauk
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<figcaption>Jimmie Hunt high points a Maty Mauk pass over the middle | Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Good morning Mizzou fans! Your Labor Day Links include quotes, stats, reactions and all the rest of Mizzou news fit to print.</p> <h3>
<a target="_blank" href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo.jpg"><img src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo_medium.jpg" class="photo" alt="Newlogo_medium"></a> What's On</h3>
<p>This is the part where I'd embed highlights from ESPN... if only they figured out how to TURN OFF AUTOPLAY</p>
<p><span>Instead I'll post this Markus Golden post-game interview with the Mizzou Network where he sounds very passionate about fixing the intensity level.</span></p>
<p><span><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/I8rFko2cbMQ" frameborder="0"></iframe></span></p>
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<a target="_blank" href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo.jpg"><img src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo_medium.jpg" class="photo" alt="Newlogo_medium"></a> Pro-Tigers</h3>
<p><a href="http://mopeymondays.com/2014/08/31/kendial-lawrence-easing-eskimos-pain/" target="_blank">Kendial Lawrence Easing Eskimos Pain | Mopey Mondays In Edmonton</a></p>
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<p>Kendial Lawrence. The name meant nothing to the average Edmonton Eskimos fan the day the team signed the 23-year-old free agent, three days after veteran running back <span>Hugh Charles</span> was let go. It wasn’t until Lawrence filled in for the injured Fred Stamps at slotback and hauled in a 35-yard touchdown pass for his first CFL touchdown against the Montreal Alouettes that we began to pay attention.</p>
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<p>Three former <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mizzou?src=hash">#Mizzou</a> players signed with NFL practice squads: <span>Marcus Lucas</span> (Panthers), <span>Michael Egnew</span> (Lions) and <span>Henry Josey</span> (Jaguars).</p>
— Tod Palmer (@todpalmer) <a href="https://twitter.com/todpalmer/statuses/506294104419237888">September 1, 2014</a>
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<p><a href="http://www.mutigers.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/083014aab.html" target="_blank">MUTIGERS.COM Game Notes: Mizzou vs. South Dakota State - Official Athletic Site Official Athletic Site - Football</a></p>
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<p><span>Marcus Murphy</span> returned a kickoff 100 yards for touchdown in the third quarter. Murphy's scamper was the longest kick return by a Tiger since Joe Stewart ran one back for 100 yards against Oklahoma State in 1976. Murphy now has five return touchdowns in his career, including three punt return TDs and two kick return TDs.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.mutigers.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/083014aai.html" target="_blank">MUTIGERS.COM Post-Game Quotes: Mizzou vs. South Dakota State - Official Athletic Site Official Athletic Site - Football</a></p>
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<p>Gary Pinkel:</p>
<p>On the play of <span>Maty Mauk</span>: "I think he was right on the line out there with some protection issues that he had. Like I said, there’s a lot of things to look at as a quarterback when he’s throwing and we’ll go back and analyze that. If anything, I told the quarterback and the entire team first of all great win, secondly we have to feel the urgency if we want to do the things that we want to do, we have to feel the urgency to get better. That’s what we’ve got to do."</p>
<p>Maty Mauk:</p>
<p>On being on the road for the first time this season next week: "I’m really excited. I’m ready to get back to Ohio and play a game. I know we’re ready. We’re going to have a great week of practice and we will not be taking anybody lightly and we’ll be ready to play. I’m pretty sure my whole hometown has bought tickets. I’m excited to get back and play for them, but at the same time, I know what I have to do and I will come out ready to go."</p>
<p><span>Lucas Vincent</span>:</p>
<p>On South Dakota State’s first touchdown: "I think that caught us off guard, we thought he dropped it. We were going after the ball and we didn’t execute our assignments that play."</p>
<p><span>Darius White</span>:</p>
<p>On his first touchdown of the year, a 44-yard score: "I saw them go Cover 2 and open wide up straight down the middle, it was money."</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/eye-on-the-tigers/emptying-the-notebook-bigger-tests-come-next/article_206f21a7-ff87-5ea3-bc50-742ed82ef468.html" target="_blank">Dave Matter | Emptying the Notebook: Bigger tests come next : Sports</a></p>
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<p>* The Jackrabbits neutralized MU’s pass rush with a heavy dose of three-step drops for backup quarterback Zach Lugan. The best counterpunch for that strategy, MU cornerback <span>Aarion Penton</span> said, is physical press coverage on the outside. The Tigers mixed up their coverages at times, but Lugan had success on the outside against Penton and later <span>David Johnson</span>.</p>
<p>Did SDSU expose a weakness in the secondary? Can more pressure from the line and linebackers conceal those problems on the outside?</p>
<p>After a sideline chat with cornerbacks coach Cornell Ford, Penton said he knew to look for Lugan to try more back-shoulder fades along the sideline. He responded with an interception in the end zone on an overthrown pass. Problem solved? The Tigers will know over the next few weeks. Toledo’s offense features former Alabama quarterback Phillip Ely, who threw for 337 yards and four touchdowns in Saturday’s win over New Hampshire.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-missouri/article1333688.html" target="_blank">Tod Palmer | Game report: No. 24 Missouri 38, South Dakota State 18 | The Kansas City Star</a></p>
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<p>Key stat: Midway through the first half, senior strong safety <span>Duron Singleton</span> picked off a tipped Austin Sumner pass and returned it 19 yards to set up Missouri’s third touchdown. The interception also extended the Tigers’ streak of consecutive games with a turnover to 45, the longest in the nation.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.columbiatribune.com/blogs/behind_the_stripes/game-rewind-missouri-south-dakota-state/article_04974322-3124-11e4-b5fe-0017a43b2370.html" target="_blank">David Morrison | GAME REWIND: Missouri 38, South Dakota State 18 - Columbia Daily Tribune | Columbia Missouri: Behind The Stripes</a></p>
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<p>Rates not Indicative: The Tigers averaged 6.55 yards per play, which is just about what they averaged last year (6.59). But the offense didn't look nearly as crisp as it did last year for large portions of the game. The run game, yes. Missouri routinely ripped off large chunks on the ground and nearly matched its rate from last year (5.51 per carry versus 5.66).</p>
<p>Through the air, the 8.5 yards per attempt were better than last season (7.8), but they came in spurts. Remove Mauk's three touchdown passes and he finishes 10 of 18 for 66 yards, or 3.67 per attempt. Now, I know you can't just remove touchdown passes -- doesn't work that way -- but this is just to illustrate that the Mauk pass offense looks much like it did last year. Intermittent spurts of brilliance, troubling stretches of inaction.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.columbiatribune.com/blogs/behind_the_stripes/first-quarter-missouri/article_cd1f0ca6-306d-11e4-98f7-001a4bcf6878.html" target="_blank">David Morrison | Missouri holds off South Dakota State, 38-18 - Columbia Daily Tribune | Columbia Missouri: Behind The Stripes</a></p>
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<p>The visiting FCS Jackrabbits made a game of it, pulling within a score at the beginning of the third quarter, but No. 24 Missouri scored the final 17 points of a 38-18 win in the season opener at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.columbiatribune.com/sports/mu_football/tigers-defense-gets-takeaways-stops-at-important-points-of-/article_16120647-8d74-5714-b4ec-1c609122d567.html" target="_blank">David Morrison | Tigers' defense gets takeaways, stops at important points of 38-18 win - Columbia Daily Tribune | Columbia Missouri: MU Football</a></p>
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<p>Lujan started slow, completing 4 of 6 passes for 21 yards before the half. He came out firing after the break, connecting on 5 of 6 passes for 71 yards as the Jackrabbits gouged the Tigers down the field to cut the lead to 21-18 with 10:28 left in the third quarter. Most of the damage came against Penton, who was repeatedly left on an island against 6-foot-5 Jason Schneider and 6-4 Jake Wieneke. Lujan finished 21 of 28 for 239 yards, with six passes for 107 yards going to Wieneke.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.columbiatribune.com/sports/mu_football/tight-ends-could-be-in-for-a-receiving-renaissance-in/article_0be22958-bb73-5ee2-a65e-89ed7e330ba9.html" target="_blank">David Morrison | Tight ends could be in for a receiving renaissance in MU's offense - Columbia Daily Tribune | Columbia Missouri: MU Football</a></p>
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<p>As Culkin enters his redshirt sophomore season, his team has shown some signs of reverting to form. Culkin received the fifth-most targets among all receivers working with the first-team offense over three fall scrimmages. He and backups <span>Clayton Echard</span> and <span>Jason Reese</span> lined up in the slot more frequently than Missouri’s tight ends did last year and served more as fourth receivers than sixth blockers.</p>
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<p><span>Sean Culkin</span> played 49 of 60 snaps, 26 lined out wide, 23 attached to the line. That's one off no. of times TEs lined out wide all of 2013.</p>
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidCMorrison/statuses/506214863262068737">August 31, 2014</a>
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<p>And Eric Waters' game high for snaps last year was 40 in a 76-play game, or 52.6%. Culkin played 81.7% yesterday. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AllTightEndsAllTheTime?src=hash">#AllTightEndsAllTheTime</a></p>
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidCMorrison/statuses/506215170452881408">August 31, 2014</a>
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<p>True freshman snap counts: <span>Lawrence Lee</span> 10; <span>Ish Witter</span> and <span>Thomas Wilson</span> 4; <span>Nate Brown</span> and <span>Logan Cheadle</span> 3. <span>Kenya Dennis</span> also played 38.</p>
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidCMorrison/statuses/506215810310742016">August 31, 2014</a>
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<p><a href="https://missouri.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=489&tid=203725063&mid=203725063&sid=898&style=2" target="_blank">Pete Scantlebury | PowerMizzou.com </a></p>
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<p>5. Missouri's offense really struggled on third downs for much of the game.</p>
<p>They went 2-for-7 in the first half and 1-for-4 in the final two quarters.</p>
<p>Here's the breakdown of the 11 third-downs, in order.</p>
<p>-- 3rd-and-7: Pass to Hunt; incomplete</p>
<p>-- 3rd-and-1: Hansbrough run, gain of 6</p>
<p>-- 3rd-and-3: Pass to Murphy, incomplete</p>
<p>-- 3rd-and-4: Murphy run for 3; Murphy run for 8 on 4th down</p>
<p>-- 3rd-and-16: Screen pass to Hansbrough for a loss of 3</p>
<p>-- 3rd-and-2: Incomplete pass</p>
<p>-- 3rd-and-1: Murphy rush for 5</p>
<p>-- 3rd-and-3: Incomplete pass to <span>Darius White</span></p>
<p>-- 3rd-and-3: Hansbrough rush for 2; Hansbrough rush for 3 on 4th down</p>
<p>-- 3rd-and-9: Completed pass to Murphy, but he was ineligibile (pass does not count toward stats)</p>
<p>-- 3rd-and-7: 29-yard TD pass to <span>Bud Sasser</span> 6.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.columbiatribune.com/sports/mu_football/hansbrough-carries-on-and-on/article_5cab47cc-5eb4-5cff-a184-d42722f57896.html" target="_blank">Blake Toppmeyer | Hansbrough carries on and on - Columbia Daily Tribune | Columbia Missouri: MU Football</a></p>
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<p>Hansbrough took a handoff in the shotgun formation for a play that was designed to go up the middle. As soon as Hansbrough got the ball, SDSU defensive end J.R. Plote was waiting for him. Hansbrough juked left past Plote before spinning out of the arms of linebacker Dallas Brown. Now at the 17-yard line, Hansbrough bounced the run to the left sideline and outran a would-be tackler to the end zone.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.columbiatribune.com/sports/murphy-return-sparks-tigers/article_14e287ae-10c0-5bf7-8648-a749ab3b8c52.html" target="_blank">Steve Walentik | Touchdown return sparks Tigers to season-opening victory - Columbia Daily Tribune | Columbia Missouri: Sports</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p>"We needed the lift," Pinkel said. "Our offense was on the field five plays, I believe, in the third quarter. I don’t know that that ever happened." Murphy was aiming to turn the momentum as he trotted back toward the goal line with 10:28 remaining in the third quarter and even predicted his dash to the end zone. "If you watch film, you can see us. We’re talking," wide receiver <span>Darius White</span> said. "He told me, ‘Hey Money, man, I’m finna return this.’ "</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.themaneater.com/stories/2014/8/30/tigers-stifle-zenner-jackrabbits/" target="_blank">Tigers stifle Zenner, Jackrabbits – The Maneater</a></p>
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<p>"I really did not even know I had 20 carries today, I thought I only had about 15," Hansbrough said. "I never even got 20 carries in high school, the last time I had 20 carries in a game was probably back in pee wee ball."</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/joe-strauss/strauss-mizzou-escapes-in-the-slow-lane/article_1a2ae974-298d-5f45-85a8-abcc160894a0.html" target="_blank">Joe Strauss | Mizzou escapes in the slow lane : Sports</a></p>
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<p>Barring a catastrophic loss, a season’s early games rarely define a team, good or bad. The Tigers rolled tomato can Murray State by 44 last August then were booed off Faurot Field at halftime of their 15-point slog over Toledo. A team that fell one win shy of playing for the national championship was so impressive early it was considered a coin flip at Indiana in its third game.</p>
<p>Saturday wasn’t about art. Pinkel noted last week a team often learns more about itself from its opener than all its scrimmages combined. Having witnessed his team get stymied on six consecutive series before reclaiming breathing room, Pinkel offered generalities over specific critiques, reminding an audience that included university chancellor R. Bowen Loftin, "You don’t sit around and mope about winning. You don’t do that."</p>
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<p style="text-align: center; "><b>Recruiting</b></p>
<p><a href="http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/campus-corner/article1328704.html" target="_blank">Tod Palmer | Future Tigers Fridays: Q&A with Blue Valley’s A.J. Harris | The Kansas City Star</a></p>
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<p>Q: What made Missouri appealing for you?</p>
<p>Harris: "The biggest factor for me in choosing Missouri was that every single time I went down there, I really felt at home and I really felt welcome. It was a real family-oriented environment. Every single time I walked up there, coach (Gary) Pinkel walks up and gives me a hug. It’s stuff like that that really makes you feel at home and welcome. Then, I really loved the coaching staff. I was sad to see (former Tigers offensive line) coach (Bruce) Walker leave, but I’m really excited about (new offensive line) coach (A.J.) Ricker, because I’ve met him before. He recruited me at Illinois, so I know him pretty well now. It was all of that, but definitely the biggest factor was the family-oriented kind of style they have going on there. All the coaching staff and all the players really seem like they enjoy it there. They’re all really happy, so that was my biggest deciding factor."</p>
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<h3>
<a target="_blank" href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo.jpg"><img src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo_medium.jpg" class="photo" alt="Newlogo_medium"></a> Basketball</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.columbiatribune.com/sports/mu_basketball/shamburger-isabell-cleared-to-play-for-tigers/article_796fb670-c201-541f-91e3-9a367643d307.html" target="_blank">Steve Walentik | Shamburger, Isabell cleared to play for Tigers - Columbia Daily Tribune | Columbia Missouri: MU Basketball</a></p>
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<p>The NCAA has cleared guards Keith Shamburger and Tramaine Isabell to play this season with the Missouri basketball team, a source confirmed yesterday.</p>
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<p><a href="http://zagsblog.com/articles/jayson-tatum-planning-to-cut-list-take-visits/" target="_blank">Jayson Tatum Planning to Cut List, Take Visits | ZagsBlog.com</a></p>
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<p>"I think I have 18 scholarship offers, I’m going to cut it down to eight or nine." Tatum, out of St. Louis Chaminade, listed Duke, St. Louis, Kentucky, Kansas, Missouri, Florida, Michigan State, Ohio State, UConn, North Carolina and Wake Forest among those recruiting him. Tatum said he’s hoping to take some visits this fall. "I’m looking to get to some Midnight Madnesses," he said.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.columbiatribune.com/blogs/tiger_tidings/mu-women-s-basketball-schedule-released/article_274a7a9c-2f99-11e4-b923-0017a43b2370.html" target="_blank">MU women's basketball schedule released - Columbia Daily Tribune | Columbia Missouri: Tiger Tidings</a></p>
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<p>The Missouri women's basketball team will play 16 home games during the 2014-15 season and two in Hawaii. The Tigers released their schedule Friday, and on it was a pair of games at the Wahine Classic in Honolulu. There, Missouri will face UNLV on Nov. 21 and California on Nov. 23, which is the Sunday before Thanksgiving.</p>
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<a target="_blank" href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo.jpg"><img src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo_medium.jpg" class="photo" alt="Newlogo_medium"></a> College Football</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.barkingcarnival.com/2014/8/29/6083555/the-sec-is-still-in-schematic-denial-praying-that-the-hurry-up-no" target="_blank">The SEC Is Still in Schematic Denial, Praying That The Hurry-Up, No-Huddle Spread Will Go Away - Barking Carnival</a></p>
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<p>The SEC is the best conference in college football. But the best coached? That's amusing.</p>
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<p><a href="http://regressing.deadspin.com/how-heisman-finalist-quarterbacks-have-changed-over-the-1624644042" target="_blank">How Heisman-Finalist Quarterbacks Have Changed Over The Years</a></p>
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<p>It's the season for wildly premature Heisman speculation, and considering quarterbacks have won all but two Heismans since 2000 (<span>Mark Ingram</span> and Reggie Bush being the exceptions), a few quarterbacks and their gaudy stat lines will be in the running this year. But just how far have the goal posts moved on Heisman hopefuls in the last few decades?</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2014/8/28/6078629/the-simplest-way-to-make-football-better" target="_blank">THE SIMPLEST WAY TO MAKE FOOTBALL BETTER - Every Day Should Be Saturday</a></p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>College football teams should be granted 30 punts per year and ration them accordingly.</p>
— Ryan Nanni (@celebrityhottub) <a href="https://twitter.com/celebrityhottub/statuses/504818968465801216">August 28, 2014</a>
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<a target="_blank" href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo.jpg"><img src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/4382157/newlogo_medium.jpg" class="photo" alt="Newlogo_medium"></a> Olympic Mizzou</h3>
<p><a href="http://kbiasports.org/2014/08/29/saturday-sports-mizzous-meister-ready-to-see-what-a-young-team-can-do/" target="_blank">Saturday Sports: Mizzou’s Meister ready to see what a young team can do |</a></p>
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<p>Darren visits with senior and long-time starting libero Sarah Meister about the upcoming season and this weekend’s North Texas Invitational tournament, and another run at an NCAA championship. Tigers will take on Mississippi Valley State, Northwestern State and North Texas. They will be at home next weekend, hosting the Tiger Invitational. Length: 7:20</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.columbiatribune.com/blogs/tiger_tidings/an-inside-look-at-the-mu-volleyball-team-s-schedule/article_2b71e0bc-27d6-11e4-874e-001a4bcf6878.html" target="_blank">An inside look at the MU volleyball team's 2014 schedule - Columbia Daily Tribune | Columbia Missouri: Tiger Tidings</a></p>
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<p>The Missouri volleyball team opened its season Friday with a 25-7, 25-11, 25-17 win over Mississippi Valley State at the North Texas Tournament in Denton, Texas.</p>
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https://www.rockmnation.com/2014/9/1/6092203/missouri-football-russell-hansbrough-maty-maukOscar Gamble2014-08-31T07:39:17-05:002014-08-31T07:39:17-05:005 thoughts on the morning after
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<figcaption>Ed Zurga</figcaption>
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<h3>Offense</h3>
<h4>1. <span>Russell Hansbrough</span> and <span>Marcus Murphy</span>: Good</h4>
<p>Hansbrough and Murphy combined for 34 intended touches (carries plus targets), 197 yards (mostly from Hansbrough) and a touchdown, and Murphy pitched in two kick returns for 129 yards and a touchdown and almost broke off a big punt return. (Well, technically he <i>did</i> break it off, but with help from a block in the back.) Oh, and Hansbrough did this:</p>
<p><img src="http://media.giphy.com/media/5xtDarzyHazqLyBy9xu/giphy.gif" width="100%"></p>
<p>There's plenty to be concerned about regarding the Missouri offense -- the receiving corps was inconsistent, the line didn't hold up against the blitz as well as you'd like to see, <span>Maty Mauk</span> wasn't very impressive outside of the pocket, etc. -- but these two were as good as advertised, and they'll be difference-makers in 2014.</p>
<p><img width="100%" src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/37726806/20140830_jla_bv1_821.jpg.0.jpg"></p>
<center><i>Jasen Vinlove / USA Today Sports<br><br></i></center>
<h4>2. All Darius White does is catch touchdowns</h4>
<p>Remember how "He only catches touchdowns" was intended to be used as a slight toward Cris Carter in the NFL? Watching Darius White, you get an impression of the meaning behind the slight. He has four touchdowns (all on intermediate to long routes) in 15 career catches ... but he has 15 career catches in 3+ years. White was undoubtedly a key in Missouri's win yesterday, he ran two beautiful routes and caught two lovely, long touchdowns (one for 44 yards, one for 39) in the first quarter, which allowed Mizzou to build some space for itself and create some margin for error (which it used). He was all but invisible the rest of the game. Mauk targeted him once in the third quarter, and that was it.</p>
<p>White runs the longer routes with speed, power, and confidence. Anything with "seam" or "go" in it is meant for the former blue-chipper. But this team needs steady options in the receiving corps as much as it needs an all-or-nothing guy. <span>Jimmie Hunt</span> and Murphy caught six passes in nine targets for 51 yards out of the slot yesterday (not awful, but certainly not great), and <span>Bud Sasser</span> was a complete non-factor until a lovely late touchdown that salted the game away. And players not named White, Hunt, Murphy, or Sasser caught three passes for seven yards.</p>
<p>Yesterday brought confirmation of a lot of our suspicions. On offense, that means that Hansbrough and Murphy are excellent, and the receiving corps could be a weakness.</p>
<h3>Defense</h3>
<h4>3. I was really impressed with <span>Shane Ray</span> on run defense</h4>
<p>On a couple of different occasions, Shane Ray shook off his blocker and lunged into the interior of the line to make a run stop. That was exciting to see. We all know the potential Ray and <span>Markus Golden</span> have as pass rushers, and they showed it yesterday with 2.5 sacks and a break-up. But there was reason to worry about their potential in run support; <span>Michael Sam</span> and <span>Kony Ealy</span> were far more proven quantities in that regard last year.</p>
<p>But Ray was able to fight off blockers pretty well, and Golden was all over the field; he led the team with 7.5 tackles (five solo, five assists). The two combined for 2.0 non-sack tackles for loss, which was a very good sign. And after Zach Zenner's strange "Broken play? PSYCH!" 75-yard touchdown on his first carry of the game, he gained only 28 yards in 16 carries. SDSU found some success in the passing game for a little while, which we'll get to in a second, but Mizzou shut down the Jackrabbits' run game ... and the Jackrabbits' run game isn't bad.</p>
<p><img width="100%" src="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/37726792/20140830_sng_bv1_090.JPG.0.jpg"></p>
<center><i>Jasen Vinlove / USA Today Sports<br><br></i></center>
<h4>4. The corners will be hit-and-miss</h4>
<p>Yesterday brought confirmation of a lot of our defensive assumptions, too. There's reason to believe Mizzou's run defense will be quite good, and there's reason to believe Mizzou's pass defense will have its shaky moments. Mizzou held starting quarterback Austin Sumner to seven yards and a pick in four pass attempts, but when Sumner got hurt, backup Zach Lujan came in, and with a bigger arm and different tendencies (which Mizzou couldn't prepare for, since Sumner is a 3+ year starter at this point), he was able to do some damage.</p>
<p>The struggles probably weren't as bad as they felt at the time. Outside of the first two drives of the second half, Lujan completed 14 of 19 passes for just 115 yards with three sacks and an average of just 4.7 yards per pass attempt. Twenty-four passes not intended for Jake Wieneke gained just 139 yards (5.8 per target). For most of the game, Mizzou was able to generate pressure, force Lujan to throw short, etc. Plus, after the third-quarter blip, Mizzou shut things down again.</p>
<p>But in his first eight passes of the second half, Lujan completed seven for 124 yards. Jason Schneider caught two passes for 37 yards to set up a Zenner touchdown, then Wieneke caught two for 53 to put SDSU in scoring position again before <span>Aarion Penton</span> picked off an iffy pass in the end zone.</p>
<p>Again, Mizzou shut things down from there. In the Jackrabbits' last four drives, they gained 87 yards in 23 plays. But the blip was what we would optimistically call a teaching opportunity and what we would pessimistically call a warning sign.</p>
<h3>5. Special Teams</h3>
<h4>It was nice of <span>Andrew Baggett</span> to get a couple of misses out of the way early</h4>
<p>Thanks to Murphy's kick return, special teams were a wash in this game. And against a good SDSU special teams unit, that's just fine. <span>Christian Brinser</span> had one shaky punt and three bombs, SDSU's decent return game was non-existent, Murphy scored a touchdown, etc. Plus, hey, Baggett did make a 44-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter, after almost everybody on the east side of the stadium (the sunny, miserable side) had left. But the 34-yarder he missed late in the first quarter certainly brought back the wrong kind of flashbacks.</p>
<p>Baggett still had five touchbacks in six kickoffs, and his 55-yard miss was certainly not a black mark. But when you're worried a bit about somebody heading into the season, and he goes 1-for-3 in his first game, that at the very least doesn't allay your fears.</p>
<p>***</p>
<p>Again, the Tigers won by exactly the amount the F/+ projections said they would, and considering the F/+ projections say Mizzou's a top-25 team, there's really no reason to adjust expectations just yet. As Gary Pinkel always says after wins, winning is hard and should always be celebrated. But as with basically every other first-game-of-the-season in Pinkel's Mizzou career, the Tigers proved that they are a work in progress. The strengths were obvious, but so were the weaknesses. How well they adjusted for and diminish these weaknesses in the coming weeks will tell us whether the Tigers are an East contender or whether they'll have to scrap to make a bowl game.</p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2014/8/31/6089423/missouri-south-dakota-state-recap-russell-hansbroughBill Connelly2014-08-30T19:20:31-05:002014-08-30T19:20:31-05:00Mizzou moves to 1-0
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OZ8_CoOcosgvmTkDkxXg3ozuXIU=/0x320:2583x2042/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/37712772/454396074.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ed Zurga</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In front of 60,589, half of whom were baking in the sun, Missouri moved to 1-0 with a 38-18 win over South Dakota State. It was almost exactly what was projected (<a href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2014/8/28/6077745/college-football-projections-predictions" target="_blank">36-16 was the F/+ prediction</a>), but it was certainly frustrating at times. After gaining 217 yards in 23 plays in the first quarter and taking a 21-7 lead, Mizzou's offense went off track. The Tigers gained just 50 yards in 19 plays over the next two quarters. A couple of quick possessions, combined with a couple of solid SDSU drives, allowed the Jackrabbits to cut the Tigers' lead to 21-18 early in the third quarter. But Marcus Murphy returned a kickoff for a touchdown, Maty Mauk found <span>Bud Sasser</span> for a 29-yard score, and the Tigers cruised from there.</p>
<p>This game more or less reaffirmed what we assumed were Missouri's strengths and weaknesses. <span>Russell Hansbrough</span> rushed 20 times for 126 yards, and the running game as a whole looked fine. Meanwhile, after rushing for a 75-yard score on his first carry, SDSU's Zach Zenner, a two-time 2,000-yard rusher for SDSU, gained just 28 yards on 16 more carries. On the flipside, the passing game was quite hit-or-miss -- three gorgeous touchdown passes gained 112 yards while <span>Maty Mauk's</span> other 18 pass attempts gained just 66 -- and the pass defense had some shaky moments, mostly in the third quarter.</p>
<p>SDSU's offense, however, was successful on basically one long touchdown run and one sustained drive; Missouri's defense wobbled briefly but, despite sketchy time of possession, made quite a few plays in the second half.</p>
<p>Mizzou heads to Toledo next week. We'll break down SDSU in the coming days, then turn our attention to the Rockets. (Good to see some of you at today's tailgate.)</p>
https://www.rockmnation.com/2014/8/30/6088293/missouri-south-dakota-state-score-recapBill Connelly