Oct. 29, 2000
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TIGERS RETURN HOME, LOOK TO END THREE-GAME SKID AGAINST COLORADO
The Missouri Tigers (2-6, 1-4) return home this Saturday to take on the Colorado Buffaloes (2-6, 2-3) at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.
Missouri, who has played its last two games on the road, will look to end a three-game losing streak. The Tigers have not won since Oct. 7 when they knocked off Oklahoma State 24-10. Last week, Mizzou fell at Iowa State by a score of 39-20.
Colorado haulted a two-game losing streak last week with a 37-21 win over Oklahoma State in Boulder, Colo. The Buffaloes other victory was on the road when they knocked off Texas A&M in College Station on Oct. 7.
THE MISSOURI-COLORADO SERIES
Missouri leads the all-time series 35-26-3. The Tigers have won two of the last three meetings, but before that, had lost 12 straight to the Buffaloes.
Missouri and Colorado have played a number of thrilling games in the last 10 years. In 1990, the Buffaloes escaped Columbia with a 33-31 victory in the famous "Fifth Down Game." In 1992, the Tigers and Buffaloes played in front of a national television audience on ESPN's Thursday night game under the lights at Faurot Field. Colorado came away with a 6-0 victory in a defensive battle. In 1997, Mizzou ended its' 12-game losing streak to the Buffaloes with a thrilling 41-31 win in Boulder to clinch its first bowl appearance since 1983. Last season, the two teams played one of the games of the year in the Big 12 with Colorado coming away with a 46-39 overtime win in Boulder.
SCOUTING COLORADO
The Colorado Buffaloes have played one of the toughest schedules in the country this season. Their first four opponents were ranked in the nation's top 25 and all four games resulted in losses.
Head Coach Gary Barnett has gone with a young club this season. His quarterback the last five weeks has been freshman Craig Ochs. Ochs has been impressive, completing 55 percent of his passes (82-for-149) for 1,098 yards. Last week against Oklahoma State, Ochs became the first player in CU history to throw a touchdown pass, run for a touchdown and catch a touchdown pass.
The Buffs have two wide receivers with over 30 catches on the year. Senior Javon Green (33 catches, 467 yards, 4 TD) and John Minardi (31 catches, 402 yards) are Ochs' go-to guys. Minardi had a career day last week with 9 catches for 153 yards.
Defensively, junior defensive back Michael Lewis has 72 tackles on the season while junior linebacker Jashon Sykes has 69 and 2.5 sacks.
LAST YEAR IN BOULDER
Both teams made some big plays and both teams allowed some big plays last year in Boulder. When final horn sounded, Colorado had made one big play more than the Tigers as CU came away with a 46-39 overtime victory.
Colorado took a 13-2 lead after the first quarter, thanks in part to a 100-yard kickoff return by Ben Kelly on the very first play of the game. The Tigers stormed back in the second quarter, putting up 15 straight points before a late Colorado field goal made it a 17-16 Missouri advantage at halftime.
Colorado took the lead back in the third quarter on a muffed snap on a Missouri punt forcing Tiger punter Jared Gilpin to take a safety. With the Buffaloes leading 18-17, the Missouri special teams provided a big play of the their own. Julian Jones blocked a punt by Colorado's Jeremy Aldrich that was recovered by the Tigers at the CU 16- yard line. On the very first offensive play, quarterback Kirk Farmer connected with fullback Joe Chirumbolo for a 16-yard scoring strike to give the Tigers a 23-18 advantage. Farmer and Chirumbolo hooked up again for the two-point conversion to give Mizzou a touchdown advantage. The touchdown was Chirumbolo's second of the day.
Colorado opened the fourth quarter with a drive into Missouri territory, but on fourth down and short, the Tigers seemingly stopped the Buffaloes to regain possession. The referees thought otherwise as they hit Mizzou's Justin Smith with a questionable roughing the passer penalty, giving CU another life. Two plays later, Colorado quarterback Mike Moschetti ran one win into the end zone from a yard out to knot the score at 25-25.
After the ensuing kickoff, the Buffaloes Brad McDonnell intercepted an errant pass from Farmer and returned it to the Missouri one-yard line setting up another Moschetti touchdown to give CU a 32-25 lead.
On Missouri's next possession, Colorado's Damen Wheeler picked off a pass from Jim Dougherty and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown to give the Buffaloes a 39-25 advantage and all of the momentum. But the Tigers weren't done yet.
Farmer was reinserted at quarterback and led Missouri to two touchdowns in a span of 1 minute, 22 seconds. On the first scoring drive, Farmer connected with wide receiver Kent Layman for a 55-yard big-hitter to the Colorado 21-yard line. On the next play, Farmer scrambled 21 yards into the end zone to cut the CU lead to 39-22.
After stopping the Buffaloes on their next possession, Farmer worked some magic again, this time hitting Eric Spencer for a 27-yard touchdown to tie the game 39-39.
Colorado's final drive in regulation ended on a missed 53-yard field goal attempt by Aldrich and the game went to overtime.
Colorado had the ball first and scored on its second play. Moschetti scrambled out of a potential sack by Jamonte Robinson and found Marcus Stiggers in the back of the end zone for the touchdown. The game ended much like how it started. On fourth down, it was Ben Kelly again, this time picking off a Farmer pass in the end zone.
FIFTH DOWN GAME, 10 YEARS LATER
Saturday will be the 10th meeting between Colorado and Missouri since the infamous "Fifth Down Game" in Columbia back on Oct. 6, 1990.
With MU leading 31-27, Colorado embarked on a frantic march down the field in the final minute of play. Gaining a first down at the MU three-yard line, with 31 seconds to play, CU quarterback Charles Johnson spiked the ball to stop the clock. After regrouping, Eric Bieniemy charged up the middle to the one-yard line and Colorado called its final time out. Eighteen seconds remained.
It was here that the officials failed to notify the chain crew to flip the down marker from 2nd to 3rd down. When play resumed, Bieniemy tried to go over the top but was thrust backward by Tom Reiner, Mike Ringgenberg and Maurice Benson. The clock reached eight seconds, and officials ordered it stopped momentarily to clear the pileup.
Then, on what was fourth down, Johnson spiked the ball again. With two seconds to play, Johnson squirted over right tackle Mark VanderPoel. Hit by Reiner and Ringgenberg, he rolled over and extended the ball into the endzone and the officials signalled touchdown.
Pandemonium reigned for more than 20 minutes as those in attendance tried to determine just what had happened. But, with time expired, there was no avenue for appeal. What had appeared to be a major upset victory for the Tigers went into the record books as a bitter pill to swallow.
Colorado went on to win the Big Eight Conference championship, and with a victory over Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl, claimed a share of the national championship.
CU COACH BARNETT RETURNS TO HIS ALMA MATER, OL' MIZZOU
Colorado Head Coach Gary Barnett returns to his alma mater as a head coach for the first time this Saturday. Barnett, who lettered as a wide receiver at Missouri in 1968, played for Dan Devine's Tigers that went on to win the Gator Bowl, 35-10 over Alabama.
In 1969, Barnett earned his bachelors degree in social studies from Mizzou and went on to receive a master's in education in 1971. That year, he served as a graduate assistant coach under Al Onofrio.
Barnett is native of Chesterfield, Mo. and attended Parkway Central High School.
COUSINS TO COLLIDE ON SATURDAY
Sean and Chris Doyle never had a chance to be on the field at the same time when Missouri and Kansas met on Oct. 14. Both were defensive players. This week, bloodlines will collide when the Colorado Buffaloes have the football.
CU's leading rusher, Cortlen Johnson (Hazelwood Central High School, St. Louis) is bound to go head on at some point on Saturday with his cousin, Tigers strong safety Gary Anthony. With the injury to freshman running back Marcus Houston, Johnson will get the bulk of the carries for the Buffaloes on Saturday. Anthony, who has not started in the last four weeks, has spent more than half of the plays defensively on the field.
Anthony also has another cousin playing in the Big 12, defensive back Milton Proctor of Kansas State. The Tigers face the Wildcats on Nov. 18.
MISSOURI HEAD COACH LARRY SMITH
Larry Smith is in his seventh season at Missouri (24th overall) He has a record of 32-44-1 at Missouri. He became Mizzou's 30th head football coach on Dec. 15, 1993. With 18 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 24-year career record of 142-124-7, 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 (South 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.
THREE NEW OFFENSIVE COACHES AT MISSOURI
Much was made in the preseason about Missouri's new offensive system. The Tigers have three new offensive coaches in 2000 that have opened up the Missouri offense.
Co-offensive coordinator Bill Cubit and offensive line coach Sam Pittman coached at Western Michigan University last year and led an offensive attack that was ranked 11th nationally in passing offense (311.8 yards per game) and 23rd in scoring offense (31.1 ppg).
Cubit spent three seasons at Western Michigan and helped the Broncos to a top-25 ranking in passing offense all three seasons behind quarterback Tim Lester. Last season, Cubit's offense broke 26 school and conference records. In 1998, Western Michigan became just the 14th school to have a 3,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard runner and 1,000-yard receiver. The Broncos repeated that feat last season.
Pittman is no stranger to Big 12 football. Before his stint at Western Michigan, the El Reno, Okla. native spent two seasons as the offensive line coach at Oklahoma. His offensive line helped produce the nation's 18th and 34th best rushing attacks in 1997 and 1998.
Missouri's third addition to the offensive coaching staff is no stranger to the Tigers. Chris Tabor, who spent the last three seasons as the offensive graduate assistant, takes over as the Tigers' running backs coach. Tabor worked mainly with the offensive line and scout teams while a graduate assistant. He spent the 1994 season coaching running backs at Hutchinson Community College under current MU Co-Offensive Coordinator Andy Hill.
INJURIES HAVE DEPLETED THE TIGERS
Missouri's team doctors and athletic trainers have earned every penny this season. The injury list has been simply unbelievable. The Tigers have lost five players that they were depending on to season-ending injuries. Five other marque players have missed time or have been severely hobbled.
Here is a closer look at the Missouri injury list:
REVIVAL OF THE RUN
For the first time this season, the Missouri Tigers rushed for more yards than they passed for last week vs. Iowa State. The Tigers, who have struggled to get the running game going this season, netted 256 yards on the ground.
Unfortunetly, the Tigers lost the game 39-20, marking just the third time under Larry Smith that Missouri has lost a game when rushing for over 250 yards. Mizzou is 19-3 since 1994 when rushing for over 250 yards.
Quarterback Darius Outlaw and tailback Zack Abron both rushed for career highs on Saturday night. Outlaw ran for 107 yards and a touchdown while Abron carried the ball 15 times for 88 yards and a touchdown, averaging 5.7 yards per carry.
Zain Gilmore also had a good night, rushing for 67 yards on 14 carries, a 4.7 yard average.
Previously, the Tigers top rushing performance was against Nebraska when they ran for 216 yards on 31 carries. Mizzou had 182 yards rushing against Oklahoma State.
JUSTIN SMITH TAKES AIM AT CAREER SACK RECORD
Junior All-American defensive end Justin Smith is now just one quarterback sack away from becoming Missouri all-time leader. Smith, who has 6 sacks on the season, has racked up 3 in his last two games and now has 17.5 for his career.
Rick Lyle, currently the starting defensive tackle for the New York Jets, currently is the all-time leader at Mizzou with 18. Lyle used four years to accomplish that record. Smith has made his mark in just 30 games.
Smith tied the school single-season record with 8 sacks last season. With 6 on the year, Smith is just three away from that record as well.
JUSTIN SMITH CHALLENGING FOR BRONKO NAGURSKI AWARD
In 30 games, junior defensive end Justin Smith has become one of the most dominant defensive players in MU history. Smith has recorded 250 tackles and 17 1/2 quarterback sacks.
"Smitty" has impressed national audiences this season against No. 8 Clemson, No. 25 Michigan State and No. 1 Nebraska. Smith chalked up 13 tackles (11 solo) against the high-powered Clemson Tigers in Death Valley.
Against Michigan State, Smith had freshman quarterback Jeff Smoker seeing No. 96 in his sleep. Smith hit Smoker four times, forced him to fumble it once and batted down a pass that he almost picked off. Smith also had a quarterback sack on Smoker that was called back for a penalty.
Against No. 1 Nebraska, Smith was at it again. He racked up seven tackles, three for loss, and sacked quarterback Eric Crouch twice. Smith also got a number of licks in on Crouch on option plays.
Smith added 12 tackles and two quarterback sacks of quarterback Major Applewhite against Texas. He sacked Iowa State's Sage Rosenfels, becoming just the fifth player to register a sack on the Iowa State QB all season.
On the season, "Smitty" is Missouri's leading tackler with 70. Thirteen of those tackles are for 72 yards in losses.
Smith, who is playing at 270 pounds this season, bench presses and power cleans 500 pounds. He possesses amazing quickness with 4.5 speed and has a vertical leap of 30.5 inches.
The accolades have begun to mount for the Holts Summit, Mo. native. As a freshman, Smith was tabbed the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and was named first team All-Big 12 last season. Already in 2000, "Smitty" has earned preseason first team All-America honors from Playboy, College Football News, and Football News. Athlon and The Sporting News have chosen Smith to the second team.
"Smitty" was featured in the Aug. 21 issue of ESPN The Magazine in an article by Gene Wojciechowski.
Off the field, Smith was a second team District VII GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-American as well as a first team Academic All-Big 12 selection.
OPPONENTS WANT NO PART OF "SMITTY"
Smith's stats are extremely impressive when considering that no team has run the ball to his side all season long. Missouri has seen the rolling pocket go away from Smith all season long, particularly by Western Illinois, Clemson, Oklahoma State and Kansas. Nebraska and Iowa State ran the option at Smith a small number of times in the second half against the Tigers.
Against Kansas, the tape will show that Smith was dealing with three, sometimes four, defenders on every play.
TIGERS TURN TO THE OUTLAW
With injuries to last year's starting quarterbacks Jim Dougherty and Kirk Farmer, the Tigers have turned to redshirt freshman quarterback Darius Outlaw to lead the offense. Outlaw's inexperience has been glaring at times, but his talent and heart have also been extremely noticeable.
Outlaw is 1-3 as Missouri's starting quarterback. He led Mizzou to a 24-10 victory over Oklahoma State when he threw for 191 yards and rushed for 22. He rushed for his first career touchdown and threw one touchdown pass.
His second starting assignment wasn't so good Kansas, despite throwing for a career-best 237 yards which included a 60-yard TD pass to Eric Spencer. Outlaw was sacked three times in the game and threw four interceptions.
The young quarterback had his ups and downs against Texas. Outlaw rushed for a career-best 48 yards, but was just 12-for-33 passing for 176 yards. He was sacked three times and threw one interception that was returned for a touchdown.
Against Iowa State, Outlaw may have had his best game. Despite throwing a costly interception, he rushed for a career-high 107 yards and threw for 171. The third quarter interception occured with Outlaw in the grasp of an Iowa State defender. He tried to complete the pass to tight end Brandon Ford, but ISU's Marc Timmons stepped in front and returned it 78 yards for a touchdown. After the game, coach Larry Smith defended Outlaw saying "it was a young quarterback just trying to make a play."
The Powder Springs, Ga. native, who sat out last season as a partial qualifier, saw limited time against Western Illinois and Clemson before being forced into the game at Nebraska mid-way through the third quarter. In that game, Outlaw went 5-for-11 passing and rushed for 29 yards including a 27-yard scramble.
BAD BREAK FOR FARMER
Quarterback Kirk Farmer enjoyed the best game of his career despite a 46-39 overtime loss at Colorado in game five in 1999. He threw for a career-high 182 yards, rushed for 31 yards, including a gutsy 21-yard touchdown scamper in the fourth quarter.
The following week, Farmer broke his leg along the visiting sideline in the second quarter against Iowa State at Faurot Field in a game the Tigers lost 24-21.
In week four against Nebraska, it happened again. Farmer arrived as a big-time collegiate quarterback, putting up career-highs in passing (13-for-25, 214 yards, 1 TD), rushing (9-for-83, 1 TD) and even receiving (1-for-35) ... and then it happened again. With just over seven minutes to play in the third quarter, Farmer broke loose for a 33-yard run and then fell on his shoulder as he was tackled. He suffered a broken clavicle in his left arm that has sidelined him for the last four weeks.
Farmer returned to practice last week and dressed out for the Iowa State game. His status for this week remains questionable.
EVERY TEAM NEEDS A DOYLE
If there is one individual on the Missouri roster that describes a football player, it is sophomore linebacker Sean Doyle. Three this season, Doyle has fought through a painful injury to put up huge numbers for the Tigers from his inside linebacker position.
Extremely questionable heading into the Michigan State game with a high ankle sprain, Doyle racked up 12 tackles and was named co-defensive player of the week. He repeated that performance against Kansas. After missing the Oklahoma State game with a badly pulled hamstring, Doyle started against Kansas after just two full days of practice and led the team with 17 tackles.
Last week against Iowa State, Doyle fought off a painful achilles injury. He had three tackles, one for a three-yard loss.
A legitimate All-Big 12 candidate, Doyle has 56 tackles on the season in seven games.
HEART OF A SENIOR
Senior nose tackle Pat Mingucci earned his fifth year of football back. A partial qualifier in 1996, the Jefferson City native did what he had to in the classroom to earn his fifth year of eligibility. Now, Mingucci is getting it done on the gridiron.
While Texas' Casey Hampton is getting all of the attention, Mingucci's performance this season has been outstanding. He has 42 tackles from his nose position and seven for loss.
He has played his best games against the top running backs. Michigan State's T.J. Duckett got most of his yards running over the tackles instead of going up the middle against Mingucci. Nebraska's Dan Alexander had 13 carries for 34 yards, mainly because of the play of Mingucci. He racked up a career-high 12 tackles against the Huskers.
WALK-ON SCOTT GETS HIS SHOT
The Missouri injury bug has spilled into the kicking game. Junior Brad Hammerich injured his left shoulder making a tackle in the second quarter at Texas. It is not known whether Hammerich will return this season or not.
The injury opens the door for freshman walk-on Justin Scott. The St. Louis University High School graduate has just two years of football experience, but has a big-time left leg.
He tried out this summer for a couple of Missouri assistant coaches and was invited to freshman camp in August. Scott impressed Larry Smith enough to earn a trip to Mexico, Mo. as part of the Tigers' 105-man roster.
After camp, Scott had earned the No. 2 spot behind Hammerich and on Saturday, he found himself taking the field for the first time in front of 80,000 fans in Austin, Texas. He successfully converted a squib kick late in the second quarter, and then boomed the opening second half kickoff through the end zone.
At Iowa State last Saturday in front of a national television audience, Scott had a 43-yard field goal blocked and missed from 49 yards out.
THE TALL END AND THE SHORT END
Missouri may quite possibly have the one of the tallest and one of the shortest collegiate football players in the country. At defensive tackle, the Tigers have 6-foot-8 inch Michael Gavins. With the injury to Brad Hammerich, Missouri's new second string kicker is 5-foot-2 inch Mike Caldrone.
HAMMER-TIME
The Missouri Tigers will truly miss the strong leg of kicker Brad Hammerich.
When breaking down Hammerich's numbers from a year ago, it is easy tell why Missouri feels that he is one of the best in the conference. Despite missing his first PAT of his career against Clemson, Hammerich is 39-for-40 in his career. He is 16-for-23 in field goal attempts - 10-of-11 from inside 40 yards, 6-for-10 from 40 to 49 yards and 0-for-2 from beyond 50 yards. Hammerich pushed a 50-yard attempt against Michigan State about two-feet left and had the distance.
FUMMMMBLE!!!!
The Missouri defense has been opportunistic in the fumble department so far this season. The Tigers are one of 19 teams inthe country to have recovered at least 10 fumbles this season. Mizzou has forced 11 of them.
Both Sean Doyle and David Monroe have lead the Tigers with two fumbles forced and two recoveries. Doyle's forced fumbles have been in huge situations. He forced a fumble against Oklahoma State in the Cowboys end zone that was recovered by Duke Revard for a Missouri touchdown. Against Texas, the Longhorns were looking to score from the 1-yard line, but Doyle forced a fumble that was recovered by the Tigers Gary Anthony in the end zone for a touchback.
12-GAGE IS A LETHAL WEAPON
Yes, he wears No. 12 and his last name is Gage. What a perfect nickname for a guy who is as deadly as the real thing.
Sophomore Justin Gage has become the Tigers "big gun" in 2000. After being moved to wide receiver this past spring, Gage is the man. At 6-5, 200 pounds, Gage has made a habit of jumping over shorter defenders and making fabulous catches. He caught a 35-yarder against Michigan State and a 25-yarder against Nebraska.
Speaking of Nebraska, Gage torched the Huskers defense with five catches for 125 yards and a 48-yard touchdown reception. Gage also caught a TD pass against Western Illinois in Mizzou's opener. He had a career-high six catches against Oklahoma State.
Gage, who played three games at quarterback last season as a freshman, still has a cannon for an arm. Against Michigan State, he hooked up with John Dausman on a double-pass for a 70-yard bomb, the longest pass play at Mizzou in six years. Gage's arm was used again against Nebraska when he caught a screen pass from Kirk Farmer and proceeded to throw it back to Farmer for a 35-yard gain.
By the way, did we mention Gage is also a back-up post player on Quin Snyder's Missouri basketball team? While Gage is taller than his defensive back opponents on the gridiron, he spent last winter guarding guys four and five inches taller than he is such as NBA first round draft picks Marcus Fizer and Chris Mihm.
GILPIN QUIETS HIS CRITICS
Punt coverage has been a major problem for the Tigers this season, but don't blame punter Jared Gilpin. The junior from Jefferson City drew a lot of criticism following a rough 1999 campaign, but 2000 has been a different story.
Gilpin is averaging 41.0 yards per punt so far this season, good for 41st in the country. Against Michigan State, he booted three punts of over 50 yards (53, 55, 53) and boomed another 55 yarder against Nebraska.
More important than Gilpin's distance has been his punt placement. In 52 attempts, he has placed 17 punts inside the opponents 20 yard-line. Compare that to last year when Gilpin put 10 inside the 20 for the entire year.
CHIRUMBOLO PRODUCING AGAIN AT FULLBACK
After earning the nickname "Touchdown Joe" as a freshman last season, fullback Joe Chirumbolo found himself as the second-string fullback in Missouri's new offense earlier in the season.
Lately, Chirumbolo has re-emerged and once again has become an offensive weapon, particularly catching the football out of the backfield.
Last season, the Naperville, Ill. native touched the ball 21 times (15 rushes, 6 receptions). He racked up 143 yards of total offense and scored three touchdowns (1 rushing, 2 receiving).
Chirumbolo has yet to carry the football this season, but lately, he has been a factor catching the ball. In the last three games, he has 5 catches for 97 yards. Against Texas, he had huge first half with four catches for 73 yards.
WHITTINGTON PLAYING BIG ROLE
Like his brother Bernard who is in his seventh season with the Indianapolis Colts, Missouri's Daryl Whittington is using his senior season to blossom into a fine football player and potential NFL prospect.
Whittington spent his first four years at Mizzou struggling to add weight to his 6-6 frame. Finally this off-season, Whittington added close to 15 pounds and is playing at nearly 260 pounds.
The atheltic St. Louis native is splitting his time between outside linebacker at defensive end and is playing very well. He accumulated a career-high seven tackles against Clemson after recording a sack and a fumble recovery against Western Illinois. Against Kansas, Whittington notched four tackles, two of those tackles were for loss.
Missouri defensive coordinator Moe Ankney has been quoted as saying: "Daryl is going to make us look really dumb when he is playing on Sundays next year."
MISSOURI BLOCK PARTY
In 1999, Missouri blocked six kicks, tying a single-season record set back in 1994. With three blocked kicks against Western Illinois, one would think the single-season record may be in jeopardy in 2000.
The Missouri "Raiders" team, otherwise known as the punt return team, reaked havoc on the Western Illinois punting unit all night long. On the very first series, WIU botched a snap and the Tigers tackled the Leathernecks' punter at the WIU 2-yard line. Mizzou scored two plays later.
The other big play by the "Raiders" unit was made by walk-on Grant Thornburg. The Palmyra, Mo. native filled in for Justin Smith and came up with a blocked punt that was recovered in the end zone by Western Illinois for a safety.
Missouri's other blocked punt was by Justin Gage in the second quarter.
The Tigers Michael Gavins also recorded a block when we wiped out a PAT attempt by WIU.
Missouri has now blocked 31 kicks since Larry Smith came to Ol' Mizzou - 15 PATs, 10 punts and six field goals.
TOAST OF PALMYRA, MO
Redshirt freshman Marcus Caldwell and sophomore Grant Thornburg are the talk of Palmyra, Mo. Both walk-ons have earned significant playing time this season.
Caldwell earned his first career start against Oklahoma State at free safety while both Caldwell and Thornburg have provided Mizzou two very good special teams players.
Caldwell has racked up 22 tackles and an interception in his four starting assignments while Thornburg blocked a punt against Western Illinois which led to a Missouri safety.
CURRY MOVED TO WIDE RECEIVER
Sophomore Terrence Curry has been moved from cornerback to wide receiver to help add depth to MU receiving corps. The Tigers lost redshirt freshman Brandon Barnes in the Clemson game with a broken ankle and are now without John Dausman.
At Kirkwood High School, Curry caught eight passes his senior season, averaging 31 yards per reception. Seven of the eight passes he caught were for touchdowns.
Curry made his first start and caught his first career pass against Oklahoma State.
BAD BREAKS II
Senior wide receiver John Dausman, who was lost for the season last year with a torn ACL, suffered another ACL tear, this time in his other knee against Nebraska. Dausman was blocking down field and got tangled up on the Missouri sideline.
EARNING PLAYING TIME
In Missouri's 50-20 blowout over Western Illinois, at least 23 players saw their first action as Missouri Tigers on Faurot Field. No offense to the movie "Rudy," but the Tigers had a few Rudy's - walk-ons that have put in the time and earned a chance to play in front of 50,000 fans.
Walk-ons Darren Baldwin, Jesse Belfield, Marcus Caldwell, Scott Jones, Michael Harden, Brian Heits, Shan Schauffler and Grant Thornburg
Thornburg made his presence felt by blocking a punt that led to a safety while Jones recorded his first career tackle on special teams.
Thornburg, Jones and Caldwell were all named to Missouri's Champion Club against Western Illinois.
TIGERS SCORE AGAINST HUNGER
Again this year, Head Coach Larry Smith and the Missouri 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 2000. The proceeds help the food bank and more than 120 charities in its 29-county region providing 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 six years ago, close to $1 million has been raised and more than 12 million meals have been provided to Missourians in need.
MISSOURI DEBUTS NEW $13.1 MILLION PRESS BOX
The skyline has changed in Columbia thanks to a new $13.1 million press box that adorns Memorial Stadium. The project, which actually started before the 1999 football campaign, was designed by Ellerbe Becket. The contractor of the project was Walsh Construction while the operation was managed by the University of Missouri Construction Management.
The new press box consists of six levels and stands 110 feet high, 321 feet wide. The structure consists of 35 suites, 418 Tiger Lounge seats and 147 working press positions, doubling the amount of the old press box.
TIGER TIDBITS
Lewis spent three years as an inside linebacker, but was moved to fullback midway through preseason workouts to add depth to that position. With the injury to T.J. Leon, the move has proven to be a good one and Lewis will probably see some playing time at fullback as well as his special teams duties.
Alnutt replaces Curtis Jones who has landed a job with Nike.
Several other former Mizzou football players are helping out the program while earning degrees. Pat Ivey, who played with Alnutt from 1993-95, is the Tigers' new Strength and Conditioning Assistant and just completed his master's this summer in health education.
Missouri All-American Devin West is now the offensive graduate assistant for the Tigers while former offensive lineman Brad Smith is now a graduate assistant in the Tiger strength and conditioning program as he finishes out his degree.
Former wide receiver Jamie Scholten is pursuing a master's degree while working in Missouri's Total Person Program.
TIGERS FOR TIGERS
Although there are many universities with a tiger mascot, the University of Missouri is the first to actively support a comprehensive conservation program for critically endangered wild tigers, according to the World Wildlife Fund. The Mizzou Tigers for Tigers program is a pioneering effort to raise awareness and support to ensure that there will be wild tigers for as long as there are Mizzou Tigers.
For more information, contact Dr. Mary Ratnaswamy, MU School of Natural Resources at 573-882-9424 or Mike Baltz, MU Division of Biological Sciences at 573-882-4854.