Grading the Tigers
We hand out Missouri's grades after a 51-45 Homecoming loss to Middle Tennessee.
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QUARTERBACK: Drew Lock wasn't great. But other than a really bad fumble in the first quarter, he wasn't bad. He threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns, had one score called back and could have had better numbers. He still needs to complete more than half his passes. But 45 points and that offensive day should win you almost every game. Plus he ran for 63 yards, including the team's longest carry. FINAL GRADE: B
RUNNING BACK: Damarea Crockett and Ish Witter ran for 277 yards on 48 carries. If you can't win with those numbers, well, something's really, really wrong. FINAL GRADE: A
WIDE RECEIVERS: The Tigers still don't have anything approaching a go-to guy and they rarely make contested plays to help out the quarterback. There were too many drops and a penalty that negated a touchdown for offensive pass interference on the other side of the field. And J'Mon Moore's fumble was a killer. FINAL GRADE: C-
TIGHT ENDS: Kendall Blanton made the catch of the year and Sean Culkin was a reliable target (though Mizzou may have leaned too much on him on the final desperate series). That duo combined for 71 yards and a TD on five catches with Jason Reese missing most of the day with a rib injury. Plus, they helped pave the way for 348 rushing yards. FINAL GRADE: A
OFFENSIVE LINE: There were way too many penalties. You should never have five false starts at home (four on Kevin Pendleton). But again, the Tigers moved the ball well and Lock wasn't under all that much pressure. FINAL GRADE: B
DEFENSIVE LINE: Missouri gave up 584 yards (seven per play) and 51 points. The Tigers kept multiple drives alive with penalties. FINAL GRADE: F
LINEBACKER: Missouri gave up 584 yards (seven per play) and 51 points. The Tigers kept multiple drives alive with penalties. FINAL GRADE: F
SECONDARY: Missouri gave up 584 yards (seven per play) and 51 points. The Tigers kept multiple drives alive with penalties. FINAL GRADE: F
SPECIAL TEAMS: Corey Fatony was fine. The return games continue to be a non-factor. A bad snap on a punt really came at a bad time and hurt the Tigers. FINAL GRADE: D+
COACHING: They lost to Middle Tennessee. At home. They gave up 51 points. The defense was terrible. The offense was good until it needed to be good. Way too many penalties and mental mistakes. That has to come back on the guys in charge. FINAL GRADE: F