Notes and Quotes: Middle Tennessee

Barry Odom's first homecoming went drifted far from expectations as Missouri fell to Middle Tennessee 51-48 on Saturday. Missouri's offense gave it plenty of chances to win the game but penalties on both sides of the ball set the Tigers back almost every time the momentum was in their favor.

Missouri finished with 13 penalties for 125 yards, many of which came on false starts on the offensive line. Kevin Pendleton had four false starts while Tyler Howell had a few for himself.

Drew Lock said after the game one of those false start penalties came after an official slapped Pendleton on the back, which made the other lineman jump because they thought a play was called. Missouri uses a clap as a way to let the center know to snap the ball sometimes.

And on defense, Missouri struggled to get a third down stop due to multiple flags for holding and pass interference.

In his postgame press conference, Odom acknowledged that false starts have been a recurring problem on the offensive line this season and said he planned to take a closer week at the problem going into next week to see where it's origin is.

"Is it a habit that we're allowing or practice or in the competitive environment are we not technique sound," Odom said. "What's the reason for those."

Defensive end Marcell Frazier, who finished with a pair of quarterback hurry's and had a strong overall game, was ejected on a targeting penalty and will be ineligible for the first half against Kentucky next week.

Missouri had a rough case on the injury bug hit it on Saturday as multiple starters went down over the course of the game.

A pair of seniors in linebacker Michael Scherer and cornerback John Gibson both went down early in the first quarter with a pair of knee strains and for Scherer the injury could cause him to miss the rest of the season. Odom had no update on either player after the game but added that Scherer "was pretty down."

Scherer is one of the defense's most experienced players and most vocal leaders, which makes losing him even tougher for the team. The St. Louis native was dressed in street clothes and using a pair of crutches the rest of the game but was still encouraging teammates and trying to help where he could. Odom said he'll know more about Scherer's injury tomorrow.

Additionally, sophomore defensive tackle Terry Beckner junior left the game in the second half due to a knee strain and offensive lineman Alec Abeln was unable to play Saturday after reinjuring his foot in practice on Thursday.

Tight end Jason Reese suffered a rib injury early in the game and had to leave the game early as well. And safety Thomas Wilson also left early from injury.

One of the lone bright spots on Saturday was the play of freshman running back Damarea Crockett, who rushed for 156 yards on 29 carries with four touchdowns.

Crockett became the first Missouri player to have four rushing touchdowns in a game since Tony Temple in the 2008 Cotton Bowl and the first true freshman in program history to have three 100-yard games.

"I feel like I'm starting to get more comfortable," he said after the game. "Get in my comfortable zone and just playing like myself on the field."

Ish Witter had a milestone of his own, rushing for a career-high 122 yards on 19 carries. It was the first 100-yard game of Witter's career.

Lock's lone passing touchdown had an impressive ending to it as tight end Kendall Blanton made a diving one-handed catch on a slightly overthrown ball.

The touchdown was Blanton's second of the year and could very well end up on Sportscenter's Top Plays by the end of Saturday night.

"Truly I expect that out of him," Lock said after the game. "That was a great catch though. It was outstanding. He kind of helped me out a little bit."