Nov. 15, 1999
PDF Formatted Notes
1999 Honors Candidates
COLUMBIA, Miss. - Tigers End Season At Kansas State - The Missouri Tigers, 4-6 overall, 1-6 in the Big 12, will close the 1999 season on Saturday, playing in Manhattan, Kan., against the Kansas State Wildcats (9-1, 6-1).
The Wildcats are ranked 9th in both national polls this week.
Saturday's game at KSU Stadium/Wagner Field kicks off at 1:10 p.m. The game will not be televised.
For Mizzou, they make the trip knowing that they will not post their third consecutive winning season. Saturday's 51-14 loss at home to Texas A&M guaranteed that.
Still, a victory would do a lot to restore the Tigers' self respect and propel them into preparations for the 2000 campaign, when 18 starters will return. And a win would be Missouri's first over a Top-10 team since 1981.
The Tigers have lost five of their last six games and were shut out the last two times they have played away from home at Kansas and at Oklahoma. Missouri hadn't been blanked twice in one season since 1995.
Mizzou's last five defeats are its only losses in its last 26 regular-season games that didn't come at the hands of a team ranked among the nation's top-seven teams.
The other six losses came against two No. 1 teams - the 1997 Nebraska unit and last year's Ohio State Buckeyes - and also in 1998 to No. 2 Kansas State, No. 6 Texas A&M, and No. 7 Nebraska, in addition to this year's No. 6 Nebraska unit.
GAME AT A GLANCE
Game #11
Nov. 20, 1999
KICKOFF: 1:10 p.m. CST
SITE: Manhattan, Kan., KSU Stadium/Wagner Field (capacity 50,000 Astroturf).
RADIO: Tiger Network (Mike Kelly/John Kadlec/Vic Faust/Chris Gervino), on nearly 60 stations, and the Internet at www.mutigers.com. Also available by calling Teamline at 1-800-846-4700, ext. 5755.
TV: none.
RANKINGS: Kansas State is #9 in both the AP and USA Today/ESPN polls.
RECORDS: Missouri is 4-6, 1-6 in the Big 12, Kansas State is 9-1, 6-1 in the Big 12.
SERIES RECORD: Missouri leads it 56-24-5, including a 27-10-3 mark in Manhattan. Kansas State, though, has won six in a row over MU, and four in a row at KSU Stadium/Wagner Field.
HEAD COACHES:
Missouri Larry Smith, 30-37-1 at MU (6th season), 140-117-7 overall (23rd season). He's 0-5 vs. Kansas State.
Kansas State Bill Snyder, 86-40-1 at Kansas State and overall (11th season).
TICKET INFORMATION: Kansas State may not have tickets, but the Missouri Athletic Ticket Office does reserved seats are $31. Call 1-800-CAT-PAWS or 884-PAWS (locally).
MISSOURI GAME CAPTAINS: Entire senior class.
TRAVEL INFORMATION: Missouri will fly via TWA charter to Manhattan on Friday afternoon. Team headquarters is the Holiday Inn, 530 Richards Drive, 785/587-5561. If the Tigers choose to work out Friday, at KSU Stadium, the session will be closed to all.
BIG 12 STANDINGS
North Division League Overall Nebraska 6-1 9-1 Kansas State 6-1 9-1 Colorado 5-2 6-4 Kansas 2-5 4-7 MISSOURI 1-6 4-6 Iowa State 1-6 4-6South Division League Overall *Texas 6-1 9-2 Oklahoma 4-2 6-3 Texas A&M 4-3 7-3 Texas Tech 4-3 5-5 Oklahoma State 2-4 4-5 Baylor 0-7 1-9
MU Non-Conference Opponents Overall UAB 4-6 Western Michigan 7-3 Memphis 4-6
Saturday, Nov. 20
Oklahoma at Texas Tech, 11:30 a.m. (Big 12 Synd.)
Iowa State at Kansas, 1 p.m.
Oklahoma State at Baylor, 1 p.m.
Missouri at Kansas State, 1:10 p.m.
Western Michigan at Toledo, 12 p.m.
Memphis at Cincinnati, 3:30 p.m.
UAB at Tulane, 5 p.m.
All times listed are Central Time.
Dr Pepper Big 12 Conference Football Championship
Tickets for the 1999 Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship can be obtained by phoning the SYLVANIA Alamo Bowl at (210) 226-2695. Tickets also can be purchased through Ticket Master at (210) 224-9600 or ticketmaster.com.
Friday, Nov. 26
Texas at Texas A&M, 10 a.m.
Nebraska at Colorado, 12:30 p.m. (MST)
Saturday, Nov. 27
Oklahoma State at Oklahoma, 3 p.m. (FOX Sports)
Saturday, Dec. 4
Big 12 Championship, San Antonio, 2:30 p.m. (ABC)
The Missouri-Kansas State Series
Missouri leads the series that began in 1909, 56-24-5, including a 27-10-3 advantage in Manhattan.
But Kansas State has turned the tables on the Tigers during the 1990s. The Wildcats have won the last six games over the Tigers equaling a similar win streak from 1929-34 that is KSU's longest over Mizzou. Missouri's longest streak over Kansas State was 16 consecutive victories from 1939-54.
The Tigers haven't won in Manhattan since 1989 (21-9), and since then the games have been rather onesided. Kansas State won 32-0 in 1991, 31-21 in '93, 30-0 in 1995 and 41-11 in 1997.
Last year, Kansas State prevailed in a wild game in Columbia, 31-25.
Scouting The Wildcats
Kansas State needs a victory this week to keep its hopes alive for its second straight Big 12 North title and a berth in the league championship game opposite Texas on December 4. For that to happen, Kansas State needs to beat Missouri and hope for a Colorado win over Nebraska.
Coach Bill Snyder's Wildcats, as usual, have relied on an aggressive defense. Kansas State leads the nation in pass efficiency defense, is No. 4 in total defense (246.9 yards per game), and No. 6 in scoring defense (allowing 14.4 points per contest).
The Wildcats' pass efficiency rating is an impressive 70.0. They've allowed 132.1 passing yards per game and just five aerial touchdowns. Kansas State has intercepted 18 passes, including five by Lamar Chapman.
The defensive leader, though, is linebacker Mark Simoneau, who has 87 tackles including 17 for losses of nearly 100 yards. He has 6-and-a-half of KSU's 25 quarterback sacks.
On offense, Kansas State has overcome a series of injuries to key performers to average 36.7 points per game.
Quarterback Jonathan Beasley has completed 85-of-196 passes for 1,632 yards and 12 TDs, while throwing seven interceptions. Only two K-State receivers have double-digit receptions: Quincy Morgan, 40 receptions for 937 yards and eight TDs, and Aaron Lockett, 31 catches for 458 yards and two scores.
Injuries have caused a revolving door in the Wildcats' backfield. Joe Hall is the leading rusher with 613 yards and six touchdowns, followed by Frank Murphy (504 yards) and David Allen (316 yards).
Allen is one of the nation's most dangerous kick returners. He's averaging 14.3 yards per punt return (with two touchdowns) and 29.8 yards per kickoff return.
MU Head Coach Larry Smith
Larry Smith is in his sixth season at Missouri (23rd overall) with a record of 30-37-1. He became Mizzou's 30th head football coach on Dec. 15, 1993. With 17 years as a head coach in NCAA Division I before coming to MU, Smith was the most experienced coach ever hired by a Big Eight Conference school.
He has a 23-year career record of 140-117-7, and coached previously at Tulane (18-27, 1976-79), Arizona (48-28-3, 1980-86), and Southern California (44-25-3, 1987-92). He was out of coaching in 1993.
Smith is one of only two active coaches who have taken four schools to bowl games, along with Lou Holtz (S. Carolina), and one of only four who've ever done it (Earle Bruce and Bill Mallory). Smith ranks 11th among active coaches in career victories.
A native of Van Wert, Ohio, Smith is a 1962 graduate of Bowling Green State University. He served as a collegiate assistant coach at Miami (Ohio), Michigan and Arizona before beginning his head coaching career.
He's 0-5 against Kansas State.
Larry's A Grandpa Again
MU Coach Larry Smith departed his weekly "Tiger Talk" radio program at 8:01 p.m., last Monday night, headed for Boone Hospital Center.
Minutes after arriving, his daughter Alicia gave birth to her first child at 8:29 p.m. Lauren Nicole Gaston weighed 7 lbs., 8 oz., and measured 20 inches. (Alicia and husband Sean moved to Columbia in January.)
Larry's first grandchild Preston Dean was born last March to son Corby and wife Jamie.
Last Year: Kansas St. 31, MU 25
COLUMBIA, Missouri - Fourth quarter, up by two, undefeated season hanging in the balance. Michael Bishop time.
"I didn't give him the ball and say 'Win the game,'" Kansas State coach Bill Snyder said. "I said, 'Do what you do.'"
The senior quarterback took control on a key fourth-quarter drive, setting up a clinching touchdown that gave the Wildcats a 31-25 victory over Missouri.
Bishop passed for one touchdown and ran for another as Kansas State completed the first undefeated regular season in school history before a sellout crowd of 68,174 that left Faurot Field so jam-packed that some fans watched the video board with their backs to the field just to see the action.
"He carried their team and that's about what he's done all year," Missouri linebacker Barry Odom said. "Why change now, when something is going good?"
Leading 24-22, Kansas State pinned Missouri at its 3 with a punt and then took over at the Tigers' 38 with 12:05 to go. Bishop ran for 35 of the yards on four carries before handing the ball at the 1 to Frank Murphy, who fumbled into the end zone and then scrambled to make the recovery with 8:28 to play.
Bishop ran for 104 yards on 23 carries and was 13-for-26 for 157 yards. The key play in the key drive was a 12-yard scramble on third down to the 3. Kansas State had called for a pass, but Bishop noticed the Missouri defensive backfield was playing soft and, as he frequently does, took off.
Snyder has won 77 games in 10 seasons, equaling the school total for the 30 years prior to his arrival. But the Wildcats, who outscored their first 10 opponents by an average of 51-10, were far from dominating against the Tigers.
Missouri has lost 35 straight games to top 10 opponents the last 17 years and has lost six straight to Kansas State, but made this one close. Missouri was at the Kansas State 42 when Corby Jones overthrew John Dausman at the 10 with 1:19 to go.
"We were determined to shock the world," said Dausman, who caught six passes for 169 yards and a touchdown. "Almost did it."
The Tigers led at halftime against all four top 10 opponents they faced this season, including a 13-10 lead against Kansas State. They also faltered after the break against then-No. 1 Ohio State, Nebraska and Texas A&M. "Our players know we're that close," Missouri coach Larry Smith said. "But we've got to get over the hump.
Kansas State played much of the game with third-stringer Murphy, who also scored on a 9-yard run in the third quarter, at tailback. Starter Eric Hickson was out with a leg injury and backup Marlon Charles was injured early in the third quarter.
Jones was 14-for-30 for a career-best 249 yards and two touchdowns, and also ran for 54 yards. Jones scrambled for a 5-yard touchdown and hit Kareem Wise for a 20-yard score with 1:10 to go in the half as Missouri took a lead into the break for the 17th straight game.
The go-ahead score came thanks to Bishop's third interception of the year, by Harold Piersey at the Missouri 47. Jones hit Dausman for 33 yards down the left sideline and then found Wise for the score.
Kansas State scored on its opening drive when Bishop hit Gavin Peries on a 10-yard score. Martin Gramatica's 48-yard field goal made it 10-0. The Wildcats missed a chance to tie it at the half when Gramatica failed badly on a 52-yard field goal attempt.
Senior Send off
Playing their final game this Saturday will be 18 Missouri seniors.
The complete group:
DeVaughn Black TB St. Louis, MO
Matt Donnelly TE Fayette, MO
Steve Erickson DT Dallas, TX
Tim Geiger K Belleville, IL
Arty Johnson WR St. Louis, MO
Terrell Jurineack DT Orlando, FL
Kent Layman WR Kirkwood, MO
Jeff Marriott NT Chillicothe, MO
Chad Martin TE Auxvasse, MO
Barry Mazuch DE Norfolk, NE
Barry Odom LB Ada, OK
Carlos Posey CB Baton Rouge, LA
Rob Riti C Florissant, MO
Jamie Scholten WR Columbia, MO
Vince Sebo P Spring, TX
Brad Smith OT Columbia, MO
Rob West FB Hammond, LA
Kareem Wise WR Baton Rouge, LA
Youth Has Been Served
Of the Tigers' top 46 players (two deep on offense and defense, plus kickers), 29 are either freshmen, redshirt freshmen or sophomores.
And that youthful Missouri look has also been reflected throughout the season in the MU starting lineup.
Twenty-two Tigers have received their first career starts this season, and of that group, only six were juniors or seniors.
The latest two first-time starters were linebacker Sean Doyle and tailback Zain Gilmore against Texas A&M.
Homegrown Tigers
Missouri's depth chart reveals that 28 members of the two-deep roster are from the State of Missouri 17 on offense and 11 on defense.
Doyle Shows Promise In His First Start
Freshman linebacker Sean Doyle got his first career start against Texas A&M in the absence of the suspended Jamonte Robinson. Coach Larry Smith announced Robinson's suspension on Wednesday following his arrest on misdemeanor assault and peace disturbance charges.
Doyle had a career-high 15 tackles against the Aggies and forced a fumble. His first tackle as a starter was for a four-yard loss on running back Ja'Mar Toombs.
Doyle was named Mizzou's "defensive player-of-the-week" and also shared the team's weekly specialty honor with kick returner Arty Johnson.
Odom Now Ranks 4thIn Career Tackling At Missouri
Senior linebacker Barry Odom, who ranks second in the Big 12 Conference with 113 tackles in 1999, stands 4th in school history.
Odom, from Ada, Okla., has 362 career tackles, and passed Darryl Major for the fourth position when he made 14 stops against Oklahoma. He also topped the 100-tackle plateau for the second time in his career, and his 113 tackles this season represent a new career high.
Odom needs 14 tackles to move up to third place on the Missouri career chart, and he needs just two to move into the top-15 on the MU season list.
He's averaging nearly 12 tackles per game. Against Iowa State, he made 14 tackles two of them for losses. At Colorado, he was the Tigers' defensive player-of-the-week for the second time this season when he tallied 17 tackles one off his career high. To go with that total, (12 of which were unassisted), one was for a three-yard loss, two came on third downs and forced CU punts, and he broke up a pass.
Odom also caught a blocked punt against the Buffs (by Julian Jones) and returned it five yards to set up a Missouri touchdown.
And he's been playing with a cast on his left hand to protect the ligaments he tore in his thumb at Memphis.
Fox Sports' Drew Goodman likes to call Odom "a throw-back." Some have said he's Missouri's defensive version of former Tiger tailback Brock Olivo.
Coach Larry Smith concurs. "He's just a football player. The kind of guy who every coach would want on his team. He won't be an All-American, but for him the team always comes first. He's been a tremendous leader for us."
Odom recently announced his engagement to Tritia Lynn Trump of Kahoka, Mo. The wedding is planned for July 1, 2000.
Tigers Tie Record For Blocked Kicks
Missouri blocked two kicks at Oklahoma, giving the Tigers six this season and tying the school record set in Larry Smith's first year as Mizzou's head coach 1994.
Against the Sooners, freshman Cedric Harden blocked a field goal (one of four missed by OU) and senior Jeff Marriott blocked an extra point the third kick block of his career.
Missouri has now blocked 29 kicks since Smith came to Ol' Mizzou 14 PATs, nine punts and six field goals.
Julian Jones Closes In On Missouri Interception Record
Junior free safety Julian Jones, in his first year as a starter for the Tigers, intercepted his sixth pass of the season against Texas Tech, and is just one away from the Missouri season record of seven, set in 1968 by All-American Roger Wehrli.
The Midwest City, Okla., native leads the Big 12 Conference in pass interceptions and is tied for seventh in the nation.
He's third on the MU team in tackles (86), has broken up three passes, forced a fumble and blocked a punt. He's had career-high tackling days each of the last two weeks with 14 stops at Oklahoma and 13 against Texas A&M
Smith Ties Sack Record
Sophomore defensive end Justin Smith tied the Missouri season record for quarterback sacks on Saturday. He now has eight this season, tying the record co-held by five players.
In just 22 games as a Tiger, Smith has 11-and-a-half sacks which ranks 7th at MU. The career record is 18 by Rick Lyle, now a starting defensive end for the New York Jets.
He had three quarterback sacks against Kansas one off the school record of four by Bobby Bell in the 1983 Holiday Bowl against BYU (and Steve Young).
Now tied for second in sacks for the Tigers this season is freshman Cedric Harden, who had one at Oklahoma and now has four for the season. He was Missouri's defensive player-of-the-week for his play against the Sooners.
"Cedric the Great" had a career-best eight tackles, three tackles for losses (including the sack), forced a fumble, broke up a pass, and blocked a field goal.
Senior nose tackle Jeff Marriott had the first two-sack game of his career against Texas Tech and also has four sacks in 1999.
Marriott Wins Big 12 Weekly Honor
Senior nose tackle Jeff Marriott was the Big 12 Conference "defensive player of the week" for his efforts against Texas Tech, Oct. 30.
He had five tackles against the Red Raiders, including three for 14 yards in losses and two quarterback sacks.
Marriott is the only Missouri player to win Big 12 weekly honors this season, and the first defensive player to be so honored since cornerback Wade Perkins won the award last year against both Oklahoma and Colorado.
No More Goose Eggs
Missouri has been held scoreless in its last two road games. The Tigers had not been shut out twice in the same campaign since 1995, when they were blanked back-to-back by Kansas State and Nebraska and later in the season against Colorado.
If It Goes to Overtime
Missouri has a 3-2 record in overtime but has lost its last two games that required extra innings. The latest was at Colorado, this season, when the Tigers went down, 46-39. In 1997, MU suffered an overtime defeat to Nebraska, 45-38, in the now infamous "Flea-Kicker" game.
Mizzou's overtime victories came in 1996 over Oklahoma State in Columbia, 35-28, and, over Baylor, in Waco, 49-42 (three overtimes), and at Oklahoma State 51-50 (2 OT) in 1997.
Young Tigers Score The Points
With the exception of two touchdown runs by DeVaughn Black against Western Michigan, and a TD reception by Kent Layman against Memphis, 206 of MU's 224 points this season have been scored by freshmen and sophomores.
Sophomores Zain Gilmore and Dwayne Blakley have each scored six touchdowns. Sophomore kicker Brad Hammerich has kicked nine field goals and 25 PATs. Mizzou's other TDs have come from sophomores Jim Dougherty and Eric Spencer, and freshmen Kirk Farmer, John McPherson, Joe Chirumbolo, and Travis Garvin.
Running Back Tandem
Some schools can put all of their rushing fortunes in one basket (see Ron Dayne or Darren Davis, J.R. Redmond, et.al.). And Missouri was able to last season with Devin West, who set school records for carries (283) and yards gained (1578) last season.
But this year Mizzou has had to rely on the tailback tandem of DeVaughn Black and Zain Gilmore. The duo have combined for 1,448 yards which ranks them fifth among those schools with twin tailbacks.
They rank fourth and fifth, respectively, in rushing in the Big 12 Conference. Nebraska is the only other school with two running backs in the league's top 10.
Missouri, though, needs to regain its running prowess. The Tigers ranked in the nation's top-nine in rushing offense in '96-97-98, and averaged 216 yards per game in the first five games of 1999. But in the last five weeks, the Tigers have averaged just 121.8 yards per outing.
Gilmore Has A 'Happy' Birthday
MU sophomore tailback Zain Gilmore, known by his teammates as "Happy," celebrated his 20th birthday in style on Oct. 30, vs. Texas Tech.
In helping Missouri break a three-game losing streak, he rushed a school-record 45 times for career-highs of 165 yards and three touchdowns.
The old record for carries was 42 by Darrell Wallace against Kansas State in 1985.
Gilmore entered the game on Mizzou's second possession after senior starter DeVaughn Black coughed up a fumble at the Tech 14-yard line that was returned 86 yards for a touchdown by Kevin Curtis.
He went the rest of the way, and got 17 of his carries on MU's final possession of the game, when the Tigers monopolized the ball on a 19-play drive that ate up 10:23. It culminated with Gilmore's final TD of the game. He gained 58 yards on that drive.
Gilmore's 165 yards represented the ninth best rushing performance during Larry Smith's six years as the MU head coach, and was his second 100-yard day of the season. He gained 139 yards against Western Michigan.
Garvin Streaking In Season's Second Half
Freshman wide receiver Travis Garvin has caught 26 passes for 429 yards the last five weeks and has established himself as one of the best true freshmen in the Big 12 Conference.
He is Missouri's leading receiver on the season with 35 receptions for 597 yards (17.1 yards per reception) and two touchdowns.
Garvin's 166 receiving yards against Iowa State were the second most by a Tiger wideout under Larry Smith, trailing the 169 yards John Dausman had against Kansas State last season.
Black Has Had 3 100-Yd. Games
Senior tailback DeVaughn Black had his third 100-yard day of the season against Memphis, a team that ranked 21st nationally in total defense. Under Larry Smith, the Tigers are 22-8 when they have a 100-yard rusher, including a 15-2 mark the last three seasons.
But the last five games have been tough ones for the St. Louisan. In that span he's gained just 160 yards on 50 carries.
Black rushed for a career-high 205 yards and two touchdowns against Western Michigan. It was the sixth-best rushing day in Missouri history.
Five of the seven 200-yard rushing efforts by Missouri Tigers have come since Larry Smith became MU's head coach in 1994 (two by Devin West, two by Brock Olivo, one by Black).
Sophomore Zain Gilmore gained 139 yards against Western Michigan, the sixth time under Smith that Mizzou has had two backs gain 100-or-more yards in the same game. The Tigers are 5-1 in those contests.
Missouri's Defense Has Had Its Moments
In the five games prior to the last two weeks when the Tigers were outscored by a cumulative margin of 88-14, Missouri's defense limited its opponents to an average of 284 total yards per game, and just 106.2 on the ground. The Tigers held Texas Tech to just nine yards rushing the best mark of the Smith era at MU. And the 169 total yards amassed by the Red Raiders was the second lowest of the last six seasons.
They've still given up too many big plays, though. For the season, MU has allowed 43 scrimmage plays of 20-or-more yards. Last year, the opposition managed only 24 long plays all season, including just 10 in the final seven games.
At Kansas, Missouri failed to force a turnover for only the seventh time since Larry Smith became the Tigers' head coach in 1994. Last season, Missouri turned six turnovers into defensive touchdowns. The Tigers are still looking for their first defensive score of 1999, although they did block a punt for a TD in the season opener vs. UAB.
Gage Joins Dougherty In Tiger Quarterback Two-Step
Freshman quarterback Justin "12" Gage took off his redshirt in the second half of last week's debacle at Oklahoma and played two series.
He saw even more time against Texas A&M, rotating with sophomore Jimmie Dougherty.
Gage completed 11-of-24 passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns against the Aggies, although he also threw an interception that was returned 70 yards for a TD.
Against Oklahoma, Gage rushed three times for 16 yards and went 0-for-3 passing against the Sooners. He became the first true freshman QB to play for the Tigers since Corby Jones came off the bench for his debut at Nebraska in 1995.
In that game, Jones ran eight times for seven yards and was 0-for-2 passing with one interception.
Missouri's quarterback situation took a big hit a month ago when redshirt freshman Kirk Farmer broke his right leg in the second quarter of the Iowa State game. Farmer and Dougherty had effectively split time before Farmer's injury.
Since the injury, the Tigers have scored just 55 points, and 34 of those came against Texas Tech.
No Happy Returns
When Colorado's Ben Kelly raced 100 yards with the opening kickoff against the Tigers, it was the first kickoff return for a touchdown against Missouri since 1983 (Oklahoma State's Harry Roberts, 90 yards, also on the game's opening play).
It was also the longest return ever against Missouri. The previous long was 95 yards by Nebraska's Herman Rohrig in 1938.
The Tigers yielded a 70-yard punt return for a touchdown to Oklahoma's Jarrail Jackson, a 70-yard interception return for a TD to A&M's Michael Jameson, and a 86-yard fumble return for a TD to Texas Tech's Kevin Curtis.
MU's Turnover Production Has Slipped
Missouri has scored 54 points following turnovers by its opponents this season, while the opposition has tallied 72 following MU mistakes, including 20 by Texas A&M on Saturday.
During Missouri's bowl seasons of 1997 and '98, though, the Tigers scored a cumulative 201 points off of 46 turnovers, while Mizzou opponents tallied just 43 points as a result of Tiger miscues.
In 1996, when the Tigers were 5-6, MU gave up 136 points following its own turnovers.
Since Larry Smith came to Missouri, the Tigers have forced 126 turnovers and committed 116. They've forced at least one turnover in 60 of 67 games since Smith became the head coach. And the Tigers have scored 13 defensive touchdowns during the Smith era, including six last season.
Missouri is 9-2-1 since 1994 when its defense finds the end zone:
1994 @ Iowa State (MU wins, 34-20)
Damon Simon pass interception for a TD
1994 @ Hawaii (MU ties, 32-32)
Damon Simon fumble recovery for a TD
Marc Pedrotti pass interception for a TD
1995 vs. Iowa State at home (MU wins, 45-31)
Caldrinoff Easter pass interception for a TD
1996 @ Baylor (MU wins, 49-42)
Harold Piersey pass interception for a TD
1997 vs. Baylor at home (MU wins, 42-24)
Justin Wyatt pass interception for a TD
1998 @ Ohio State (MU loses, 35-14)
Carlos Posey fumble return for a TD
1998 @ Texas Tech (MU wins, 28-26)
Terrell Jurineack fumble recovery for a TD
1998 vs. Oklahoma at home (MU wins, 20-6)
Wade Perkins pass interception for a TD
1998 vs. Colorado at home (MU wins, 38-14)
Carlos Posey pass interception for a TD
1998 @ Nebraska at home (MU losses, 20-13)
Steve Erickson fumble recovery for a TD
1998 vs. West Virginia (MU wins, 34-31)
Carlos Posey blocked field goal return for a TD
1999 vs. UAB (MU wins, 31-28)
John McPherson blocked punt return for a TD
Mizzou Hit High-Water Marks In Win Over Western Michigan
Missouri rolled up 560 yards of total offense against Western Michigan (a team that is now 7-2 and poised for a MAC showdown with Marshall this Saturday) its best figure of the Larry Smith era. That equated to 48 points the most Mizzou has scored under Smith in regulation.
Quarterbacks Kirk Farmer (3) and Jim Dougherty (1) combined to throw four touchdown passes, tying the school record of four accomplished four other times, most recently vs. Oklahoma State in 1991.
Sophomore Dwayne Blakley caught three TD passes, tying the school record for touchdown receptions previously set by Victor Bailey against Kansas in 1991.
Blakley has now caught 23 passes in his career at Mizzou and six have gone for touchdowns. Tiger All-American Kellen Winslow (1976-78) had 10 TD receptions during his collegiate career.
Tiger Tales
Missouri has passed for 1,305 yards in its last six games.
MU quarterbacks have thrown 15 touchdown passes in 1999, six more than the Tigers managed all of last season.
Jim Dougherty threw 95 consecutive passes without an interception before he was picked off on his third attempt at Oklahoma.
CNNSI picked a mid-season All-America team. One of the three defensive linemen selected to the 11-man squad was Missouri sophomore DE Justin Smith.
Missouri's 3-0 record against non-conference opponents this season was its best since MU went 4-0 in 1981.
Since Larry Smith came to MU as its head coach in 1994, the Tigers are 12-8-1 outside the conference, including a 9-3 mark since the Big 12 began operations in 1996.
Next year's non-league slate finds the Tigers hosting Western Illinois and Michigan State and playing at Clemson.
Sophomore Brad Hammerich has not kicked a field goal since he booted two against Texas Tech, leaving his field goal accuracy mark for the season at 9-of-13. He's a perfect 25-for-25 on PATs. In fact, he's never missed an extra point. Going back through his high school days, he's a lifetime 88-of-88.
He is 5-of-8 from 40-49 yards. The 48-yard FG he kicked against Western Michigan was the longest by a Tiger since Kyle Pooler hit from 49 yards against Kansas State in 1994.
Sophomore tight end Brandon Ford missed several days of practice prior to the Memphis game while attending his mother's funeral in Texas, but played in that week's game. Debra Ford passed away Sept. 22 after a long battle with cancer.
In the first two games, Missouri started a freshman at fullback, and both debuted in similar fashion. Redshirt freshman T.J. Leon started against UAB and true freshman Joe Chirumbolo got the nod against Western Michigan. The first carry for each of them was a seven-yard gain.
Returning starter, senior Rob West, returned the last five games. He missed the opener with a broken foot suffered during two-a-days. He got his first carry of the season at Colorado, and doubled up his young mates, gaining 14 yards right up the gut.
At the conclusion of two-a-day workouts, Coach Larry Smith rewarded four players who came to Mizzou as walkons. Now on full scholarship are seniors Brad Smith (OT), DeVaughn Black (TB) and Arty Johnson (WR), and sophomore Ben Davidson (deep snapper).
The St. Petersburg Times this summer picked an alltime list of the top-100 high school football players in Hillsborough County. Checking in at No. 6 was Missouri sophomore tailback Zain Gilmore.
Senior WR Kent Layman failed to catch a pass at Kansas, ending his school-record streak of 28 consecutive games with at least one pass reception. Against Colorado, he caught three passes for a career-high 127 yards, which upped his career total against the Buffaloes to 11 receptions for 333 yards and boosted him into MU's career top-ten for receiving yardage.
Layman has had five 100-yard receiving games in his career two shy of the school record held by Victor Bailey.
Six true freshmen have played this season QB Justin Gage, LB Sean Doyle (who has started once), FS Gary Anthony, CB Terrence Curry (two starts), WR Travis Garvin (one start), and FB Joe Chirumbolo.
Curry was the first true freshman to start in the defensive backfield in a season-opening game for Missouri since Adrian Jones did so in 1986. The only other Missouri freshman to start an opener since 1986 was DE Justin Smith last season.
On October 15, Missouri unveiled and dedicated a statue to honor legendary football coach and athletic director Don Faurot.
The 9-foot statue stands atop a pedestal outside Gate #1 at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field's north end.
The statue was crafted by noted sculptor Harry Weber. Among his other works are the bronze statues that honor a number of St. Louis Cardinals' legends outside Busch Stadium.
In the 1999 NCAA Football Records Book, former MU quarterback Corby Jones was mistakenly omitted on page 28 from the list of alltime quarterbacks with the most career yards gained rushing. Jones' total of 2,533 yards ranks 11th in NCAA history.
Tigers Score Against Hunger
Again this year, MU Head Coach Larry Smith and the Tigers have teamed up with the Central Missouri Food Bank to stop hunger in its tracks. Interested persons can pledge money for every point the Tigers score in 1999. The proceeds help the food bank and more than 120 charities in its 29-county region provide free food to soup kitchens, shelters and food pantries.
For more information, call 1-800-764-3663, or 573-474-1020.
Since the program began five years ago, more than $750,000 has been raised and more than 11 million meals have been provided to Missourians in need.
MU Athletics Hall Of Fame Dinner Moved To January 28, 2000
To avoid conflicts with other University of Missouri activities the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has moved its annual Hall of Fame induction banquet to Fri., Jan. 28, 2000.
The dinner will be held at the Holiday Inn Select Executive Center in Columbia. A reception will begin at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner and induction ceremonies at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $35.00 per person and may be purchased by contacting Brenda Baker in the Tiger Development Office, at 573/884-0742. The class will be further honored during halftime ceremonies at the next day's basketball game, Jan. 29, against Texas A&M. Tipoff is scheduled for 12:45 p.m.
The Hall of Fame began in 1990, and this year's 10-person group represents its 10th class of inductees.
Those being inducted are:
PIONEER ERA
Woody Hatfield, football, basketball, track & field, 1931-33
Conrad Hitchler, football, 1960-62
Clair "Butch" Houston, football, baseball, track & field, 1931-35
MODERN ERA
Kim Anderson, basketball, 1974-77
Melvin Booker, basketball, 1991-94
Rosalyn Dunlap, track and field, 1980-84
Ricky Frazier, basketball, 1980-82
Shaon Fry, wrestling, 1991-94
Gene McArtor, baseball, 1961-63, asst. baseball coach, 1969-73, head baseball coach, 1974-94
Kris Schmidt, softball, 1985-88
MU Sets Another Attendance Mark
Missouri sold a record 35,000 season tickets in '99, and its attendance average of 58,374 was the highest since 1981.
The Nebraska game was MU's second sellout in a span of four home games.
The crowd of 60,206 that witnessed the Western Michigan game was the biggest for a non-league game in Larry Smith's tenure.
Fifteen of the top 21 home crowds Mizzou has had since 1984 have come with Smith at the helm.
BIG CROWDS SINCE 19849/29/84 70,915 Notre Dame 16, Missouri 14 10/19/85 62,733 Nebraska 28, Missouri 20 11/9/85 50,321 Oklahoma 51, Missouri 6 10/31/87 55,594 Nebraska 42, Missouri 7 10/14/89 55,620 Nebraska 50, Missouri 7 10/24/92 53,337 Nebraska 34, Missouri 24
ARRIVAL OF LARRY SMITH
9/3/94 55,263 Tulsa 20, Missouri 17 10/22/94 50,537 Nebraska 42, Missouri 7 9/6/97 52,514 MISSOURI 44, E. Michigan 24 9/27/97 58,882 Ohio State 31, Missouri 10 11/8/97 66,846 Nebraska 45, Missouri 38 (ot) 9/12/98 59,720 MISSOURI 41, Kansas 23 10/17/98 61,586 MISSOURI 20, Oklahoma 6 11/8/98 57,261 MISSOURI 38, Colorado 14 11/21/98 68,174 Kansas State 31, Missouri 25 9/4/99 50,356 MISSOURI 31, UAB 28 9/18/99 60,206 MISSOURI 48, W. Michigan 34 9/25/99 68,174 Nebraska 40, Missouri 10 10/16/99 61,052 Iowa State 24, Missouri 21 10/30/99 52,982 MISSOURI 34, TEXAS TECH
MISSOURI HIGHS & LOWS UNDER LARRY SMITH, 1994-present MU TEAM RUSHING YARDAGE HIGHS 1. 473 vs. Iowa State 1995 2. 412 vs. Kansas 1996 3. 401 vs. Kansas 1998 4. 382 at Baylor (3 ot) 1996 382 vs. Eastern Michigan 1997 6. 377 vs. Oklahoma St. (ot) 1996 7. 375 vs. Western Michigan 1999 8. 357 at Tulsa 1997 9. 353 at Colorado 1997 10. 348 vs. North Texas 1995 11. 341 vs. Baylor 1997 12. 340 vs. Bowling Green 1998 13. 314 vs. Colo. St. (Holiday Bowl) 1997 14. 292 vs. Clemson 1996 15. 290 at Iowa State 1998
MU TEAM RUSHING YARDAGE LOWS 1. 22 at Illinois 1994 2. 25 vs. Nebraska 1999 3. 39 at Nebraska 1995 4. 40 vs. West Virginia 1994 5. 44 at Kansas 1999 6. 47 at Nebraska 1996 7. 48 vs. Nebraska 1994 8. 51 vs. Colorado 1994 9. 61 at Kansas State 1995 10. 71 at Texas Tech 1995 11. 77 at Nebraska 1998 12. 84 at Hawaii 1994 13. 98 vs. Tulsa 1994 14. 99 at Oklahoma 1994
MU TEAM PASSING YARDAGE HIGHS
1. 320 at Iowa State 1994 2. 311 at Colorado 1999 3. 303 vs. Iowa State 1999 4. 299 vs. Colorado 1994 5. 273 at Hawaii 1994 6. 266 vs. Texas 1997 7. 256 vs. Tulsa 1994 8. 249 vs. Kansas State 1998 9. 248 at Texas Tech 1995 10. 243 vs. West Virginia 1994 11. 233 vs. Nebraska (ot) 1997 12. 231 at Oklahoma State (2 ot) 1997 13. 216 vs. Texas Tech 1999 14. 213 vs. Iowa State 1997 15. 204 vs. Bowling Green 1998
MU TEAM PASSING YARDAGE LOWS
1. 18 vs. Iowa State 1995 2. 20 at Ohio State 1998 3. 24 at Illinois 1994 4. 38 at Colorado 1995 5. 48 vs. Oklahoma 1995 6. 52 at Baylor1996 7. 54 at Texas Tech 1998 8. 57 at Kansas State 1995 9. 58 vs. Eastern Michigan 1997 10. 68 vs. Colo. St. (Holiday Bowl) 1997 11. 65 vs. Baylor1997 12. 65 vs. Kansas1998
MU TEAM TOTAL OFFENSE HIGHS
1. 560 vs. Western Michigan 1999 2. 544 vs. Bowling Green 1998 3. 542 vs. Kansas 1996 4. 527 at Colorado 1999 5. 518 vs. Texas 1997 6. 517 at Colorado 1997 7. 501 vs. Iowa State 1997 8. 498 at Iowa State 1994 9. 497 at Tulsa 1997 10. 491 vs. Iowa State 1995 11. 466 vs. Kansas 1998 466 at Iowa State 1998 13. 461 vs. Oklahoma State (ot) 1996 461 vs. Iowa State 1999 15. 459 at Iowa State 1996
MU TEAM TOTAL OFFENSE LOWS
1. 46 at Illinois 1994 2. 118 at Kansas St 1995 3. 122 at Nebraska 1995 4. 153 vs. Oklahoma 1995 5. 166 at Nebraska 1998 6. 170 at Nebraska 1996 7. 174 vs. Nebraska 1999 8. 198 vs. Nebraska 1994 9. 211 at Ohio State 1998 10. 210 vs. Oklahoma 1998 11. 217 at Kansas 1999 12. 225 vs. Memphis 1996
MU TEAM SCORING HIGHS
1. 51 at Oklahoma State (2 ot) 1997 2. 49 at Baylor (3 ot) 1996 3. 48 vs. Western Michigan 1999 4. 45 vs. Iowa State 1995 45 vs. Iowa State 1997 6. 44 vs. Eastern Michigan 1997 7. 42 vs. Kansas 1996 42 at Tulsa1997 42 vs. Baylor 1997 10. 41 at Colorado 1997 41 vs. Kansas 1998 12. 39 at Colorado (ot) 1999 13. 38 vs. Colorado 1998 38 vs. Nebraska (ot) 1997 38 vs. Clemson 1996 16. 37 vs. Bowling Green 1998 37 vs. Texas1997 18. 35 vs. Northwestern State 1998 35 at Iowa State 1998 35 vs. Oklahoma State (ot) 1996 21. 34 at Iowa State 1994 34 W. VirginiaInsight.comBowl 1998 34 vs. Texas Tech 1999 23. 32 at Hawaii 1994 24. 31 vs. NE Louisiana 1995 31 at Iowa State 1996 31 vs. Alabama-Birmingham 1999
MU TEAM SCORING LOWS
1. 0 at Illinois 1994 0 at Kansas St 1995 0 at Nebraska 1995 0 at Colorado 1995 0 at Kansas 1999 0 at Oklahoma 1999 7. 7 vs. Nebraska 1994 7 at Nebraska 1996 9. 7 at Kansas 1997 10.9 vs. Oklahoma 1995
MU INDIVIDUAL RUSHING HIGHS
1. 319 Devin West vs. Kansas, 1998 2. 252 Devin Wset at Iowa State, 1998 3. 222 Brock Olivo vs. NE Louisiana,1995 4. 205 DeVaughn Black vs. W. Mich., 1999 5. 201 Brock Olivo vs. Iowa St., 1995 6. 193 Corby Jones vs. Oklahoma St, 1996 7. 176 Devin West vs. N.westernSt, 1998 8. 166 Brock Olivo vs. Kansas, 1996 9. 165 Zain Gilmore vs. Texas Tech, 1999 10. 159 Corby Jones vs. Kansas, 1996 11. 151 Brock Olivo vs. Kansas St., 1994 12. 146 Devin West vs. Colorado, 1998 13. 140 DeVaughn Black vs. UAB, 1999 14. 139 Zain Gilmore vs. W. Michigan, 1999 15. 136 Corby Jones vs. Iowa St., 1995 16. 135 Corby Jones at Iowa St., 1996 17. 133 Devin West at Texas Tech, 1998 18. 132 Corby Jones vs. Colo. St., 1997 19. 131 Joe Freeman at Houston, 1994 20. 129 Brock Olivo vs. North Texas, 1995 21. 126 Corby Jones at Tulsa, 1997 126 Corby Jones vs. Baylor, 1997 23. 125 Devin West vs. B. Green, 1998 125 Devin West vs. W. Virginia, 1998 25. 118 Devin West at Baylor, 1996 26. 116 Ernest Blackwell vs. EMU, 1997 27. 114 Devin West vs. Iowa State, 1997 28. 113 Devin West at Texas A&M, 1998 29. 111 DeVaughn Black at Memphis, 1999 30. 110 Joe Freeman vs. Tulsa, 1994
MU INDIVIDUAL PASSING HIGHS
1. 320 Jeff Handy at Iowa St., 1994 2. 303 Jim Dougherty vs. Iowa State, 1999 3. 273 Jeff Handy at Hawaii, 1994 4. 256 Jeff Handy vs. Tulsa, 1994 5. 249 Corby Jones vs. Kansas State, 1998 6. 233 Corby Jones vs. Nebraska, 1997 7. 231 Corby Jones at Okla. State, 1997 8. 221 Jeff Handy vs. Colorado, 1994 9. 220 Corby Jones vs. Texas, 1997 10. 216 Jim Dougherty vs. Texas Tech, 1999 11. 213 Corby Jones vs. Iowa State, 1997 12. 189 Jeff Handy at Oklahoma St., 1994 13. 187 Corby Jones vs. B. Green, 1998 14. 184 Jeff Handy at Houston, 1994 15. 182 Kirk Farmer at Colorado, 1999
MU IND. RECEIVING YARDAGE HIGHS
1. 169 John Dausman vs. Kansas State, 1998 2. 166 Travis Garvin vs. Iowa State, 1999 3. 136 Rahsetnu Jenkins at Iowa St., 1994 4. 127 Kent Layman at Colorado, 1999 5. 121 Kent Layman vs. B. Green, 1998 6. 119 Kent Layman at Colorado, 1997 7. 115 Kent Layman vs. Iowa St., 1997 8. 103 Kent Layman vs. Texas, 1997 9. 90 R. Jenkins vs. Nebraska, 1994 90 Rahsetnu Jenkins at SMU, 1996
OPPONENT TEAM RUSHING HIGHS
1. 407 at Iowa State 1996 2. 365 vs. Kansas 1994 3. 359 at Illinois 1994 4. 353 vs. Nebraska(ot) 1997 5. 342 at Nebraska 1995 6. 339 at Kansas State 1997 7. 333 vs. Nebraska 1999 8. 330 vs. Nebraska 1994 9. 320 at Ohio State 1998 10. 305 at Texas Tech 1995 11. 300 at Hawaii 1994
OPPONENT TEAM RUSHING LOWS
1. 9 vs. Texas Tech 1999 2. 17 vs. Bowling Green 1998 3. 36 vs. North Texas 1995 4. 39 W VirginiaInsight.comBowl 1998 5. 50 at Tulsa 1997 6. 54 at Memphis 1999 7. 58 at Houston 1994 8. 77 vs. Northwestern State 1998 9. 85 vs. Colorado 1998 10. 93 vs. Oklahoma 1995 11. 96 vs. Kansas 1996 12. 97 vs. Eastern Michigan 1997 13. 98 vs. Ohio State 1997
OPPONENT TEAM PASSING HIGHS
1. 457 vs. Colorado 1996 2. 452 W VirginiaInsight.comBowl 1998 3. 320 Western Michigan 1999 4. 319 at Oklahoma State (2 ot) 1997 5. 314 at Baylor (3 ot) 1996 6. 311 at Oklahoma 1999 7. 306 at Colorado 1999 8. 297 vs. West Virginia 1994 9. 295 at Tulsa 1997 10. 288 vs. NE Louisiana 1995 11. 269 vs. Ohio State 1997 12. 267 vs. Eastern Michigan 1997 13. 255 vs. Tulsa 1994 14. 243 vs. Oklahoma State (ot) 1996 15. 232 vs. Colorado 1998
OPPONENT TEAM PASSING LOWS
1. 39 vs. Bowling Green 1998 2. 59 at Iowa State 1996 3. 72 at Nebraska 1998 4. 82 at Kansas State 1997 5. 87 at Texas A&M 1998 6. 91 vs. Oklahoma State 1995 7. 111 vs. Iowa State 1997 8. 112 vs. Kansas 1994 9. 113 at Houston 1994 10. 114 at Nebraska 1996 11. 124 vs. Alabama-Birmingham 1999 12. 123 at SMU 1996 13. 128 vs. Oklahoma 1998
OPPONENT TEAM TOTAL OFFENSE HIGHS
1. 562 vs. Colorado 1996 2. 543 vs. West Virginia 1994 3. 540 at Illinois 1994 4. 531 at Oklahoma State (2 ot) 1997 5. 531 at Ohio State 1998 6. 528 vs. Nebraska (ot) 1997 7. 502 vs. Colorado 1994 8. 491 W Virginia (Insight.com Bowl) 1998 9. 484 at Baylor (3 ot) 1996 10. 482 vs. Nebraska 1994 11. 477 vs. Kansas 1994 12. 476 vs. Nebraska 1999 13. 475 at Nebraska 1995 14. 473 at Kansas 1995 15. 466 at Iowa State 1996
OPPONENT TEAM TOTAL OFFENSE LOWS
1. 56 vs. Bowling Green 1998 2. 169 vs. Texas Tech 1999 3. 171 at Houston 1994 4. 200 vs. North Texas 1995 5. 205 at Memphis 1999 6. 215 at Texas A&M 1998 7. 246 vs. Oklahoma 1995 8. 247 vs. Oklahoma 1998 9. 278 vs. Kansas State 1994 10. 279 vs. Bowling Green 1995
OPPONENT SCORING HIGHS
1. 57 at Nebraska 1995 2. 51 at Nebraska 1996 3. 50 at Oklahoma State(2 ot)1997 4. 46 at Colorado (ot) 1999 5. 45 vs. Nebraska (ot) 1997 45 at Iowa State 1996 7. 42 at Illinois 1994 42 vs. Nebraska 1994 42 at Kansas 1995 42 at Baylor (3 ot) 1996 11. 41 at Texas Tech 1995 41 vs. Colorado 1996 41 at Kansas State 1997 14. 40 at Texas 1996 15. 40 vs. Nebraska 1999
OPPONENT SCORING LOWS
1. 0 at Houston 1994 0 vs. Bowling Green 1998 3. 6 vs. Oklahoma 1998 4. 7 vs. North Texas 1995 7 vs. Texas Tech 1999 5. 13 vs. Oklahoma 1995 6. 14 vs. Colorado 1998 14 vs. Northwestern St 1998 8. 15 at Oklahoma State 1994 15 at Kansas 1997
Last Game For the Press Box
Saturday's game was the final one for the Memorial Stadium press box, which opened in 1968 and underwent significant renovations in 1984.
Demolition work begins on Monday as the construction process gets underway on a new $13.5 million facility that will run goal line-to-goal line and debut in time for the 2000 season.
The new press box will include 35 private boxes, a club seating level, and greatly expanded facilities for the media.
Walsh Construction is the general contractor. The press box was designed by the firm of Ellerbe Becket.
Big Crowds Necessitate New Traffic Patterns
As soon as the 1998 season was completed, Missouri officials began revising the parking and traffic patterns at Memorial Stadium to accommodate the big crowds that have become commonplace the last two seasons.
Patrons are reminded that most parking lots in the immediate vicinity of the stadium are reserved for donors to the Tiger Scholarship Fund. General public parking may be found on the east side of Hearnes Center and at the Maryland Ave. Parking Garage.
In 1999, Mick Deaver Drive (which runs between Hearnes Center and Memorial Stadium) and South Hearnes Drive (south of the stadium) will be accessible pre-game only to those persons who have permits to park in Tiger Scholarship Fund lots.
Post-game, traffic exiting most lots will be required to turn right for the first 30-45 minutes to clear the stadium area as quickly as possible.
New Media Parking Lot
A new parking lot has been constructed for the media and game officials. It is located at the southwest corner of Providence Road and Carrie Francke Drive, just south and west of its previous location in Lot C.
Two media shuttle vans will run continuously from the new lot to the Memorial Stadium press box. Shuttle service will begin three hours prior to kickoff, and will run until four hours after the game's conclusion.
A MIZZOU WIN ...
- would give Missouri a 5-6 record for the first time since 1996,
- would give Missouri a Big 12 Conference record of 2-6,
- would be Missouri's 16th win in its last 27 regular-season games,
- would be MU's first win over a team ranked team in the Top 10 since 1981,
- would be Missouri's first win in Manhattan since 1989,
- would snap a six-game winning streak by K-State over Missouri,
- would give MU a 57-24-5 series record vs. KSU (28-10-3 in Manhattan),
- would be Larry Smith's 31st career win at MU, and 141st overall,
- would be Larry Smith's 13th career win over a Top-10 opponent,
- would give Missouri an all-time record of 540-460-52.
A MIZZOU LOSS ...
- would give Missouri a 4-7 overall, 1-7 in Big 12 Conference play,
- would give Missouri a 1-4 road record in 1999,
- would be MU's 37th straight loss to a team ranked in the nation's Top 10,
- would be Missouri's third straight loss and sixth in its last seven games,
- would be MU's seventh straight loss to KSU and 5th straight in Manhattan,
- would give MU a series record against Kansas State of 56-25-5,
- would be Larry Smith's 38th career loss at MU, and 118th overall,
- would give Missouri an all-time record of 539-461-52.
Last Week's Games Texas A&M 51, Missouri 14
COLUMBIA, Mo. Texas A&M looked more like the defending Big 12 champion than the sad sacks who'd been embarrassed lately.
Ja'Mar Toombs scored three touchdowns as the Aggies, who lost by a combined 88-6 at Oklahoma and Nebraska in its previous two road games, beat Missouri 51-14 on Saturday to end a three-game Big 12 road losing streak.
Texas A&M (7-3, 4-3) produced a rout after a slow start and nearly handed Missouri (4-6, 1-6) its third shutout in four games.
Coach R.C. Slocum said the game showed the character of the team.
"Our demise has been much overrated," Slocum said. "You don't quit, you don't give in, you don't curl up and throw in the towel."
Missouri, which lost 37-0 at Oklahoma last week, was trailing by the same score when Dwayne Blakley caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from Justin Gage with 8:01 to play. Texas A&M answered with two touchdowns in the next 3:13, including a 70-yard interception return by Michael Jameson.
"Offensively, we did nothing until the game was over," Missouri coach Larry Smith said. "It's very obvious the confidence, particularly on offense, is shattered."
Toombs, who entered the game with four touchdowns on the season, had 71 yards on 22 carries and scored on runs of 2, 9 and 7 yards. He also had a 33-yard reception to lead Texas A&M, which lost 37-0 at Nebraska last week.
Joe Weber gave Texas A&M its first 100-yard rusher of the season in mop-up duty, getting 121 yards on eight carries, including a 77-yard pickup all in the fourth quarter.
The Aggies' next-best weapon, especially in a 7-0 first half, was punter Shane Lechler, who is closing in on the NCAA career record for average. He averaged 53.4 yards on seven punts, surpassing his career mark of 44.5 yards. He added a 32-yard field goal in the third quarter.
Aside from a 34-7 victory over Texas Tech two weeks ago, MU's offense has collapsed since QB Kirk Farmer broke his leg in the first half of a 24-21 loss to Iowa State on Oct. 16. Missouri has lost five of six overall.
Jim Dougherty, who had been sharing the job with Farmer, alternated with Gage, a freshman, on Saturday. Neither had any success as Missouri clinched a losing season after back-to-back bowl trips. Dougherty was 3-for-15 for 22 yards and an interception and Gage was 11-for-24 for 111 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, with most of the yardage against backups.
"It was pretty rough out there," Dougherty said. "Nothing seemed to go right for us."
Texas A&M week, opened the game with a 17-play, 70-yard drive capped by Toombs' 2-yard run. The Aggies needed only three plays on their first possession of the second half as Randy McCown hit Bethel Johnson on a 39-yard pass.
A fumble by Zain Gilmore at the Missouri 29 set up Toombs' 9-yard run to make it 21-0 with 9:53 to go in the third quarter. He added a 7-yarder later in the quarter.
Smith said, "We just kind of went into the tank."
"There might have been some lack of emotion, but we're still out there fighting," defensive tackle Steve Erickson said. "It can get frustrating, but we're still looking to win a game any way we can."
#7 Nebraska 41, #5 Kansas St. 15
LINCOLN, Neb. Nebraska is happily back on top in the Big 12 North Division.
The Cornhuskers (No. 6 ESPN/USA Today, No. 7 AP) avenged last year's loss to Kansas State by blowing out the No. 5 Wildcats 41-15 Saturday. Nebraska (9-1 overall, 6-1 Big 12) can clinch the North title by beating Colorado on Nov. 26.
Eric Crouch led Nebraska with 158 yards rushing and two touchdowns as the Huskers quickly forgot about last year's 40-30 loss.
Kansas State's win last year snapped a 29-game losing streak against the Huskers. The Wildcats' chances at two straight didn't look good at halftime Saturday, when they trailed 24-9, and vanished in the fourth quarter when Nebraska scored 17 points. The loss likely drops the Wildcats (9-1, 6-1) out of contention for the national championship.
The Huskers, who kept alive a slim shot at the national title thanks to Tennessee's loss to Arkansas, dominated the battle between two of the top four defenses in the country. Nebraska gained 253 yards by halftime on a defense that ranked No. 2 nationally at 232.3 per game. Nebraska, No. 4 nationally at 234.6 yards, limited K-State to 234, 170 below its average.
Nebraska finished with 378 yards offense, 227 coming from Crouch. He was 8-for-17 passing for 69 yards and set a Nebraska quarterback record with 27 carries.
"I'm willing to carry the ball 30 or 40 times if that's what they need from me," Crouch said. "I don't think they're going to put me in that situation, though."
They didn't need to Saturday. Reserve running back Dahrran Diedrick, who came in during the second quarter in place of Dan Alexander and Correll Buckhalter as they continued to struggle with fumbles, rushed for 93 yards. He scored on a 46-yard run that put Nebraska up 34-9 early in the fourth quarter.
Senior linebacker Eric Johnson added a late touchdown on a 15-yard fumble recovery and Josh Brown kicked a 30-yard field goal.
"We weren't very good. Not very good in all phases of the game. And they played awfully good," Kansas State coach Bill Snyder said. "Any time you play a team that is as good at playing the option as Crouch and they are and couple that with excellent execution, you're in for a long day."
Jonathan Beasley was 3-for-19 passing for 100 yards for the Wildcats. Frank Murphy was K-State's leading rusher with 51 yards on 10 carries.
Beasley ran for a score and his backup, Adam Helm, added a late TD run for K-State.
Crouch put Nebraska up 7-0 in the first quarter on a 30-yard run, set up by Bobby Newcombe's 28-yard punt return that set up the Huskers at the K-State 44.
Nebraska got the ball back at the K-State 2 when Terence Newman fumbled the ensuing kickoff, only to give it up again right away on Buckhalter's fumble, his third at the goal line in the last four games.
The Huskers managed a safety out of it when Randy Stella blocked Mike Ronsick's punt out of the end zone. Nebraska then took the free kick and drove 73 yards on 11 plays, the last Crouch's 18-yard run. That put Nebraska up 16-0.
WINNINEST ACTIVE COACHES
[by victories entering 1999]
COACH, SCHOOL WON 1. Joe Paterno, Penn State 307 2. Bobby Bowden, Florida State 292 3. LaVell Edwards, BYU 243 4. Lou Holtz, South Carolina 216 5. Don Nehlen, West Virginia 191 6. John Cooper, Ohio State 178 7. George Welsh, Virginia 176 8. Jackie Sherrill,Mississippi St 154 9. Dick Tomey, Arizona 147 10. Ken Hatfield, Rice 139 11. LARRY SMITH, MISSOURI 136
OUTLAND TROPHY CANDIDATE
Rob Riti .. center .. 6-3 .. 289 .. senior
- One of 15 players on the pre-season Outland Trophy "watch" list by the Football Writers Association of America.
- Pre-season All-American by many publications, including Playboy, the Sporting News, Student Advantage, Football News, Athlon, and others.
- Holder of the Missouri squat lift record 1,000 pounds.
- Will start this week for the 44th consecutive game, setting a new school overall record. It will be his 42nd straight start during the regular season, tying the MU mark.
- In 1998, graded out at 86 percent for the season with 59 knockdown blocks, and was a first-team all-Big 12 selection.
Says Rob of his goals for 1999:
"If you accomplish your team goals, the individual things will take care of themselves ... I'd like to be the best center in college football."
Colorado Coach Gary Barnett on Rob Riti:
"(He) is a great player and he helps two guys every snap, the two guards. It's almost like having another coach out there."
Colorado DL Justin Bannan on Riti:
"He's a workhorse, a guy who comes off the ball very hard and very fast. He stays really low and is a very good technician. He comes at you on every play..."
Riti's 1999 Blocking Grades
UAB 88 plays, graded at 86 percent, 6 knockdowns
W. Michigan 86 plays, graded at 95 percent, 7 knockdowns, 5 great finishes
HIGHEST GRADE FOR ANY LINEMAN WHO HAS EVER PLAYED FOR COACH LARRY SMITH.
Nebraska no players graded.
Memphis 77 plays, graded at 83 percent, 7 knockdowns, 2 great finishes
Colorado 96 plays, graded at 89 percent, 11 knockdowns, 4 great finishes
Iowa State 77 plays, graded at 84 percent, 6 knockdowns.
Kansas 64 plays, graded at 80 percent, 4 knockdowns, recovered a fumble.
Texas Tech 93 plays, graded at 86 percent, 8 knockdowns, 2 great finishes
Oklahoma 73 plays, graded at 82 percent, 4 knockdowns
"I have always had a good relationship with the reporters who have covered my school. Whether they be students or professionals, they have generally treated me with respect and professionalism. I think the most important thing that an athlete can remember is the fact that, in sport, poor performances are 'news', just like great performances are 'news'. This is the thing that gets a lot of guys in trouble. Often times a player will read an unflattering comment about himself or his team and take it personally. The athlete should ask himself did I play poorly? Did my team play poorly? If the answer is yes, then the reporter has the right and the obligation to report it. You can't expect any special favors just because you are a prominent athlete. As long as you are cooperative and respectful to the journalist, you will generally be treated fairly. But if you come off as insincere, arrogant, or self -promoting, the reporter will pick up on that and reflect it in his article. I have worked with some of the same reporters for four years, and I have always tried to treat them honestly and how I would like to be treated. This has paid off for me I have always been portrayed fairly and in a positive light, and I think I have made some friends in the media that I would not have otherwise."
MISSOURI vs. AP TOP 10 SINCE 1981
Missouri has lost 36 consecutive games against Top-10 ranked teams since 1981. From 1970-80, Mizzou was 10-19 when playing against the Top 10.
10/3/81 Missouri 14, at #9 Mississippi State 3 10/23/82 at #5 Nebraska 23, Missouri 19 10/15/83 #1 Nebraska 34, Missouri 14 10/13/84 at #6 Nebraska 33, Missouri 23 11/3/84 at #9 Oklahoma 49, Missouri 7 11/10/84 at #4 Oklahoma St 31, Missouri 13
COACH WOODY WIDENHOFER
0-8, average score 42-10 10/19/85 #9 Nebraska 28, Missouri 20 11/9/85 #7 Oklahoma 51, Missouri 6 11/16/85 #10 Oklahoma State 21, Missouri 19 10/18/86 at #3 Nebraska 48, Missouri 17 11/8/86 at #4 Oklahoma 77, Missouri 0 10/31/87 #2 Nebraska 42, Missouri 7 11/14/87 at #1 Oklahoma 17, Missouri 13 10/1/88 at #1 Miami (Fla.) 55, Missouri 0
COACH BOB STULL
0-9, average score 43-10 9/23/89 #2 Miami (Fla.) 38, Missouri 7 10/7/89 at #3 Colorado 49, Missouri 3 10/14/89 #4 Nebraska 50, Missouri 7 10/13/90 at #7 Nebraska 69, Missouri 21 10/26/91 at #9 Nebraska 63, Missouri 6 9/19/92 #5 Texas A&M 26, Missouri 13 10/8/92 #9 Colorado 6, Missouri 0 10/24/92 #8 Nebraska 34, Missouri 24 10/23/93 at #5 Nebraska 49, Missouri 7
COACH LARRY SMITH
0-14, average score 35-13 10/8/94 #5 Colorado 38, Missouri 23 10/22/94 #3 Nebraska 42, Missouri 7 10/14/95 at #2 Nebraska 57, Missouri 0 11/11/95 at #9 Colorado 21, Missouri 0 8/31/96 at #8 Texas 40, Missouri 10 11/2/96 #7 Colorado 41, Missouri 13 11/9/96 at #5 Nebraska 51, Missouri 7 9/27/97 #7 Ohio State 31, Missouri 10 11/8/97 #1 Nebraska 45, Missouri 38 (ot) 9/19/98 at #1 Ohio State 35, #21 Missouri 14 10/24/98 at #7 Nebraska 20, #19 Missouri 13 11/14/98 at #6 Texas A&M 17, #13 Missouri 14 11/21/98 #2 Kansas State 31, #19 Missouri 25 9/25/99 #6 Nebraska 40, Missouri 10 11/20/99 at #9 Kansas State
MISSOURI IN BIG 12 CONFERENCE/NCAA TEAM STATS
CATEGORY STATISTIC BIG 12 NCAA Rushing Offense 168.9 yards/game 4th 29th Passing Offense 191.2 yards/game 6th 75th Total Offense 360.1 yards/game 8th 68th Scoring Offense 22.4 points/game 9th 80th Turnover Margin -0.40/game 8th T-85th Pass Efficiency Defense 121.9 rating points 10th 61st Rushing Defense 151.2 yards/game 7th 64th Total Defense 350.6 yards/game 9th 46th Scoring Defense 30.5 points/game 11th 96th Net Punting 30.7 yards/punt 10th 110th Punt Returns 7.4 yards/return 9th 87th Kickoff Returns 18.5 yards/rreturn 10th T-92nd
TIGERS IN BIG 12 CONFERENCE/NCAA INDIVIDUAL STATS
CATEGORY PLAYER STATISTIC BIG 12 Rushing DeVaughn Black 74 yards/game 4th Zain Gilmore 70.8 yards/game 5th Passing Efficiency Jim Dougherty 103.0 rating points 11th Total Offense Jim Dougherty 128.8 yards/game 11th Pass Receptions Travis Garvin 3.5 rec./game 6th Receiving Yards Travis Garvin 59.7 yards per game 3rd Field Goals Brad Hammerich .90/game T-7th Punting Jared Gilpin 39.4 yards per punt 9th Punt Returns Arty Johnson 6.96 yards/return 9th Kickoff Returns Ricardo Rhodes 19.9 yards/return 7th Pass Interceptions Julian Jones 0.67 per game 1st
BRONCO NAGURSKI AWARD CANDIDATE
Justin Smith . DE . 6-5 . 256 . sophomore
- One of 19 players on the Bronco Nagurski Award "watch" list, and one of only two sophomores. The award is presented to the nation's most outstanding defensive player.
- The 1998 Big 12 Defensive "Freshman of the Year."
- Academic All-America, 2nd team, District 7 (3.20 GPA in the College of Agriculture)
- Holder of the Missouri power clean record 460 pounds.
- Has started 22 consecutive games at Missouri, and last year was the first true freshman to start every game for MU since 1986.
Missouri Defensive Coordinator Moe Ankney:
"He was the first player, in all my years of coaching, who on the day we signed him we were able to pencil him in and say, 'He's our starter.'"
Colorado Coach Gary Barnett:
"I threw him up (on film) for our whole team to watch him. He just plays the game the way you like to see somebody play it. He's just a great player with a great motor. You watch him and you go, 'Wow, that's the way you're supposed to play the game.'"
Memphis Coach Rip Scherer on QB sack and fumble forced by Smith that produced a 4th-quarter TD: "We knew all week long that Justin Smith was a great player. On that play, he made his presence felt."
Smith's 1999 Defensive Statistics
UAB 9 tackles (6 unassisted), 1 for 1-yard lost, 1 blocked punt (returned for touchdown)
W. Michigan 7 tackles (4 unassisted), 2 for 3 yards lost.
Nebraska Career-high 12 tackles (9 unassisted), 1 QB sack for 8 yards lost, 2 other tackles for 4 yards lost, 1 fumble recovery.
Memphis 7 tackles (5 unassisted), 2 QB sacks for 14 yards lost, 1 forced fumble (set up a touchdown), 1 pass broken up.
Colorado 6 tackles (2 unassisted).
Iowa State 14 tackles (9 unassisted), 1 for 3 yards lost.
Kansas 10 tackles (8 unassisted), 3 QB sacks for 23 yards lost, 1 forced fumble.
Texas Tech 5 tackles (2 unassisted), 1 for 1 yard lost
Oklahoma 4 tackles (3 unassisted), 1 QB sack for 7 yards lost
Texas A&M 8 tackles (4 unassisted), 1 QB sack for 1 yard lost
BRONCO NAGURSKI AWARD "WATCH" LIST
DT Chris Combs, Duke, sr. LB Rob Morris, BYU, sr. LB Lavar Arrington, Penn State, jr. NG Chris Hovan, Boston College, sr. DT Darwin Walker, Tennessee, sr. DE Corey Moore, Virginia Tech, sr. LB Mark Simoneau, Kansas State, sr. DT Corey Simon, Florida State, sr. SS Tyrone Carter, Minnesota, sr. DT Adalius Thomas, So. Miss, sr. DT Ennis Davis, USC, sr. DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, San Diego St., sr. DE Alex Brown, Florida, soph. DE Courtney Brown, Penn State, jr. LB Julius Jackson, Nebraska, sr. LB Dan Morgan, Miami (Fla.), jr. DE JUSTIN SMITH, MISSOURI, soph. DE Brian Urlacher, New Mexico, sr. LB Nate Webster, Miami (Fla.), sr.