Missouri (2-2) throttled Delaware State 79-0 on Saturday to bring the Tigers back to .500 for the season. But when the Tigers go back into the film room to evaluate the game, what can you take away from a game in which everything went your way? Progress is something that everyone defines differently and the Tigers’ coaching staff is no different.
In his postgame press conference, Barry Odom acknowledged the challenge but said that he thought there were plenty of takeaways he got from the game, especially on kickoffs.
“On special teams I thought we were sloppy in a couple areas,” Odom said. “That’s lack of focus. The opening kickoff, against a really good team you’re putting your offense in a bad, bad spot. And that’s not acceptable.”
Other players had different takeaways. Drew Lock said the game showed him the offense is capable of putting up big numbers regardless of who is on the field. Kevin Pendleton cited experience and maturity for some of the players that don’t usually get to play.
Freshman wide receiver Dimetrios Mason, who had his first career 100-yard receiving game finishing with 120 admitted the difference in competition made it easier for him to have the career day he did.
“It was pretty easy,” he said. “I’m not going to lie to you.”
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Game of Firsts
An innumerable amount of players got their first game action of the season on Saturday, as Odom tried to play as many players as he could.
“We cleared the roster today and played everybody that is not a redshirt candidate at this time,” he said. “So I was excited for those guys.”
Quarterback Marvin Zanders threw for his first career touchdown to former walk-on Eric Laurent, who also got in the endzone for the first time in his career. Zanders also rushed for another two.
Another former walk-on, defensive end Jordan Harold got his first career sack in the first half.
“Finally,” he said.
True freshman Damarea Crockett also had his first career 100-yard rushing game, finishing with 115 yards with a pair of touchdowns.
Defensive lineman Markell Utsey became the eighth true freshman to see the field this season and the 13th first-year player to get playing time after he entered the game in the second half. Odom had hinted for a few weeks that the possibility existed for more freshmen to play if they continued to improve. Utsey is down on the depth chart this season but will likely be in the rotation in 2017 with the graduation of Josh Augusta and Rickey Hatley.
Attendance Woes
The announced attendance was 53,472 but it looked and felt like a lot less. The stands were far from full 20 minutes before kickoff and by halftime the cleaning crews could have started on a few section if they wanted to.
Missouri drew well over 50,000 fans for the majority of its home games against FCS teams since 2000, with most games drawing between 57,000 to 65,000 fans. The 90-degree temperature around kickoff didn’t help but with it being Parents Weekend on campus, it was surprising to see so many empty seats for a game, regardless of the opponent.
Player of the Game
The SEC Network nailed its selection for player of the game. Props to whoever wore the Truman outfit on Saturday. Nearly 500 push-ups in 90-degree weather in that gear is one heck of a workout. Truman should ask for a raise.
Collins Suspended
Odom announced in his press conference that junior wide receiver Dominic Collins was suspended on Friday for academic reasons. He did not play on Saturday and Odom said he will be reinstated on Sunday.
Up Next
Mizzou faces LSU at 6:30 next Saturday night in Baton Rouge, LA. The game will be televised on the SEC Network.
