Aug. 18, 2000
MEXICO, Mo.- The Missouri Tigers got a relief from the heat on Friday morning at Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, Mo. The Tigers practiced in 70-degree temperatures and got a lot accomplished during the morning.
Head Coach Larry Smith continued to emphasize the running game while putting the team through long yardage situations. Once again, the defense set the tone while the offense continued to slowly progress. In running drills, the Tigers' first team offensive line made strides, consistantly opening up holes for running backs Zack Abron and Zain Gilmore.
Smith made it clear following the morning session that the offense is clearly behind the defense at this point, but that is to be expected. Smith said he is excited to see what will happen in Missouri's first contact scrimmage on Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. on Faurot Field.
LEON TO BE EXAMINED THIS AFTERNOON: Sophomore fullback T.J. Leon looks to have a broken leg. Doctors will examine Leon this afternoon in Columbia. If their is a broken bone, Leon will most likely have surgery later this afternoon. Missouri will look to get Leon a medical redshirt.
YOUNG FIELD GENERAL: Mexico, Mo. native Jefferson Thomas is just nine years old, but he is making his mark on the football field this week. Young Jefferson just showed up one day and asked what he could do to help out the Missouri Tigers. He has done a little bit of everything this week. Jefferson has helped the equipment staff by picking up footballs and cones, but the youngster really made his mark on Friday morning.
Coach Smith's rule is that the offensive unit that is not in the game must stand approximately 10 feet from the huddle. Smith has the equipment staff put out cones for the offense to stand behind and usually has one of the strength staff members enforce the players to stand behind the cones. Young Jefferson decided to take the enforcement duties on himself. The unintimidated Jefferson was in the players ears making sure they stood behind the cones, drawing laughter from many of them and some disgusted looks on others.
GOLF CART MYSTERY SOLVED: The mystery of who put the Missouri coaches golf carts in a twins left, naked formation on the football field last Wednesday night has been solved. The guilty party turned out to be Graduate Assisant Coach Preston Jones with the help of none other than the "Voice of the Tigers" Mike Kelly.
Kelly received his punishment following Friday morning's practice when the coaching staff taped a fighting Kelly to the goal post. Coach Bill Cubit held Kelly down while coaches Dave Toub and Brian Stewart taped him to the goal post. Ricky Hunley then proceeded to douse Kelly with cold water. Jones took off running and is expected to get his punishment this afternoon.
KISS AND MAKE UP: The good fight of camp occurred during team scrimmage this morning when offensive lineman Adrian Cole and linebacker Jamonte Robinson took some punches at one another. Cole and Robinson were forced to do a penalty run after practice. After running one set of "gassers," Cole and Robinson did the second set while holding hands. The two playes have officially made up.