Weekend practice report

The Missouri Tigers wrapped up bowl practice number five on Saturday morning. PowerMizzou.com has a full report.

*Gary Pinkel was back after spending Friday morning in New York City to ring the opening bell for NASDAQ with Mike Alden.

*Brad Madison was not back. After a scuffle with Bart Coslet in practice on Friday, Madison broke a finger on his right hand. He had surgery to insert a pin in the finger on Friday evening and was at practice wearing a sling to immobilize the finger. Pinkel said the injury is not a major issue and that the Tigers' sack leader will play in the Insight Bowl.

*Marcus Lucas took his turn as the young standout receiver. Lucas caught a couple of deep passes, including a 40-yard beauty down the right sideline from Blaine Gabbert. After the catch, Lucas fumbled the ball right around the goal line, but got on it himself.

*Didn't spend as much time watching line drills today, but Jacquies Smith caught my eye with a strong rip move to go around Jack Meiners.

*I saw Jimmie Hunt working as a kickoff return man just a little bit. Could be something to watch in the spring.

*Will Ebner played middle linebacker with the one defense most of the day, but a few times, Andrew Gachkar took over in the middle with Jarrell Harrison playing outside and Matt White taking over at safety.

Harrison told me after practice he anticipates mostly playing safety, but "we have a few sets" where he could be at linebacker.

*Speaking of Harrison, his family will get a chance to watch him play because Tempe is only about a four hour drive from his home town of Las Vegas. He said he had family in for Texas last year and Oklahoma this year and they got a chance to go to Reno when Mizzou played at Nevada. He said he has about 30 people in total making the trip down.

*L'Damian Washington made a long catch down the sideline and another one deep down the middle. He just keeps making plays. Not sure what it was that kept him off the field this year, but I still think he pushes for playing time next season.

*Kenji Jackson picked up two interceptions and Matt White got one in 11-on-11.

*Blaine Gabbert showed off some serious wheels, outrunning Jacquies Smith to the corner on a zone read keeper. He doesn't have elite acceleration, but Gabbert can run once he gets going.

*Quote of the Day: Dave Steckel to the scout team offense: "This is college football. This isn't flag football."

*Play of the Day: A handful of Tigers were excused early. Tim Barnes, Josh Tatum, Luke Lambert, Tony Buhr, Coslet, Kirk Lakebrink and De'Vion Moore will graduate today (Moore in just three-and-a-half years on campus). Matt Grabner walked last night.

*The Tigers return to the practice field at 10:15 on Monday morning and PowerMizzou.com will be there.

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