2004 Football Preview
7/21/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 21, 2004
The Missouri Tigers enter the 2004 season in a much-welcomed new position, as they are coming off a winning season for the first time since 1998. Head Coach Gary Pinkel and his staff have turned Mizzou into one of the nation's up-and-coming programs, and expectations are high both inside the program and around the country heading into the much-anticipated 2004 season.
Mizzou is coming off an outstanding 2003 campaign, as it recorded eight wins and appeared in a bowl game for the first time since 1998. The Tigers cracked the national rankings multiple times during the season, and the excitement surrounding the program led to a school-record nine television appearances during the year.
The watershed moment came in an historic 41-24 win in October against 10th-ranked Nebraska - a win which marked MU's first over Nebraska since 1978, breaking a streak of 24 straight Husker wins. The win also marked MU's first win over a top-10 team since 1981, and helped propel the Tigers to an undefeated 6-0 mark at Faurot Field, which broke a school record for home wins in a season, as well.
The Tigers scored a school-record 399 points in 2003, and led the Big 12 Conference, while ranking 6th nationally, in rushing, with an average of 237.46 yards per game. It marked the first time since 1960 that Mizzou won a conference rushing title. A trademark of Gary Pinkel-coached teams revolves around the issue of ball security, and the 2003 team led the nation in fewest turnovers (13 in 13 games) and also ranked 10th nationally with a turnover margin of +0.85 per game. While the Mizzou offense might have garnered more headlines in 2003 with its record-setting feats, it could be argued that the improvement that the Tiger defense showed last year was just as much responsible for MU's success as anything. Those achievements, while all noteworthy, are in the past now, and it is the focus of the coaching staff to build on that momentum and challenge for a potential Big 12 Conference championship. The spring practice period was productive, and gave Pinkel and his staff a good feel for what they will have to work with when fall camp opens in August. Those outside the program are indeed taking notice of what's going on in Columbia, as several national prognosticators have put the Tigers in their 2004 pre-season top-25 polls - one of them (Athlon Sports) listing MU as high as 11th.
And for good reason, as Mizzou returns a solid nucleus from last season, including All-American candidate quarterback Brad Smith, a junior-to-be who is firmly established as a Heisman Trophy candidate in virtually all national circles. Smith will be joined on the field by three other returning starters on offense (WR Sean Coffey, OL Tony Palmer and WR Thomson Omboga), but the cupboard isn't exactly bare on that side of the ball, as there are six other returnees who started at least one game in 2003 - OL Scott Paffrath (6 starts); OL Joe Gianino (4); TE Victor Sesay (2); WR Brad Ekwerekwu (1); TE Clint Matthews (1); and TB Damien Nash (1).
Defensively, Mizzou looks to be in the best shape ever under Pinkel's tenure, as the Tigers return nine starters from a unit that was one of the Big 12's most improved in 2003. Headlining the group of returnees is senior All-America linebacker candidate James Kinney, who has ranked among the nation's top-20 tacklers each of the last two years. He'll be joined by returning starters Nino Williams II (S - 13 starts in 2003), Dedrick Harrington (LB - 13), C.J. Mosley (DL - 11), Zach Ville (DE - 11), Atiyyah Ellison (DL - 10), Brian Smith (DE - 9), Jason Simpson (S - 9) and Calvin Washington (CB - 8). Additonally, six other defenders return to the fold who started at least once in 2003 - DE Xzavie Jackson (4 starts), S David Overstreet (3), S Marcus Bacon (1), CB A.J. Kincade (1), CB Shirdonya Mitchell (1) and DL Phil Pitts (1). Also adding valuable experience and talent to the defensive group is junior safety Marcus King, who redshirted in 2003 after starting seven games in 2002.
Adding to the mix is an exciting band of newcomers on both sides of the ball. On offense, two redshirt freshmen linemen are entering the fall holding top spots on the depth chart, as the Tigers look to replace graduated standouts Rob Droege and A.J. Ricker. Redshirt freshmen Tyler Luellen (OT) and Adam Spieker (C) both had impressive spring practice periods, and look quite capable of helping MU challenge for a second-straight Big 12 rushing title. Marcus Woods, a diminutive 5-foot-8 tailback, enters the fall at No. 2 on the depth chart, and is coming off a very impressive spring period that has the coaching staff very excited about his future. The offense will also likely benefit from redshirt freshmen wideouts such as Jason Ray and Greg Bracey, who both had impressive spring periods.
Defensively, with so much returning from last year, the Tigers won't be relying on first-year players as much, but transfers David Richard (LB) and Brandon Massey (SS) look ready to provide an immediate impact on the squad, as they both stood out for their play during the spring. Richard, in fact, looked so good that he, in part, was the reason for coaches switching from a base 4-2-5 defensive set to a 4-3 look, which features an extra linebacker. The pair of St. Louisians was both named most improved at their respective positions during the spring period.
PROMISING PROGRESS
The improvement made by Missouri from year one to year three under Head Coach Gary Pinkel is impressive in many statistical areas. Here's a look at just a few categories:
| Offensive Category | 2001 | NCAA Rank | 2002 | NCAA Rank | 2003 | NCAA Rank |
| Scoring Offense | 21.8 | 88th | 30.0 | 36th | 30.7 | 29th |
| Rushing Offense | 167.4 | 44th | 183.7 | 36th | 237.5 | 6th |
| Total Offense | 339.6 | 91st | 386.8 | 45th | 403.5 | 36th |
| Turnover Margin | -0.9 | 62nd | +1.0 | 16th | +0.9 | 10th |
| Defensive Category | 2001 | NCAA Rank | 2002 | NCAA Rank | 2003 | NCAA Rank |
| Scoring Defense | 30.0 | 84th | 29.3 | 81st | 22.1 | 38th |
| Rushing Defense | 198.7 | 89th | 167.8 | 78th | 167.2 | 72nd |
| Passing Rating Def. | 147.4 | 102nd | 135.3 | 91st | 125.8 | 61st |
| Special Teams | 2001 | NCAA Rank | 2002 | NCAA Rank | 2003 | NCAA Rank |
| Kickoff Returns | 18.1 | 95th | 20.9 | 43rd | 20.8 | 49th |
| Punt Returns | 10.4 | 38th | 13.1 | 25th | 14.9 | 4th |
2004 SQUAD BREAKDOWN
Starters Returning 13
Starters Lost 9
Lettermen Returning 36
Lettermen Lost 25
Offense
Starters Returning 4
Starters Lost 7
Lettermen Returning 13
Lettermen Lost 13
Defense
Starters Returning 9
Starters Lost 2
Lettermen Returning 22
Lettermen Lost 10
Specialists (Kicker/Punter)
Starters Returning 1
Starters Lost 1
Lettermen Returning 1
Lettermen Lost 2
QUARTERBACK
Lettermen Lost
(1 w/0 2003 starts)
Sonny Riccio*
(1 w/13 2003 starts)
Lettermen Returning
Brad Smith** (13)
Much to the delight of the Tiger Nation, and much to the dismay of everyone else, Mizzou's quarterback position is in solid hands for another two years as record-setting signal caller Brad Smith will return for his junior season in 2004. Smith's accomplishments in his two years directing the Tiger offense are too many to detail in this brief outlook, so we'll let it suffice to say that he is one of the nation's top returning players who will begin the year on the short list of many listings for Heisman Trophy candidates.
Called the best dual-threat quarterback at the collegiate level by several pre-season publications, Smith has accounted for an eye-popping 6,745 yards of total offense - already an MU career record. As a redshirt freshman, Smith was the Big 12 Conference's top freshman as he became only the second player in NCAA history to throw for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 in a season. He followed that up with an equally impressive statistical output in 2003, as he threw for 1,977 yards and ran for 1,406 more - falling just 23 yards shy of becoming the first player in NCAA annals to accomplish the 2,000/1,000 feat twice. He was the only player in the nation in 2003 who ranked in the top-30 in the NCAA in points scored (16th - 9.08 ppg), points responsible for scoring (19th - 14.15 ppg), rushing (20th - 108.15 ypg) and total offense (26th - 260.2 ypg).
The one area in which the Tigers can look to improve in 2004 would have to be the production of the passing attack. Mizzou's per-game average dropped to 166.00 yards per game in 2003, after averaging 203.20 in 2002. Smith completed 60.3% of his passes (up from 53.6% as a freshman), but the yardage per completion covered just 9.4 yards (down from 11.9 in 2002). "Obviously, we were one of the best running teams in the nation a year ago," said Pinkel. "I was disappointed with our production passing-wise, and that has to change. So, that without question, is a primary goal is to work on our passing game, to get our passing game to a higher level of efficiency," he said.
The most important statistic that Smith, or anyone in the program for that matter, will point to was eight - the eight wins and Independence Bowl appearance that Smith led the Tigers to in 2003. Just how significant a turn in fortunes was that for Mizzou Football? It was MU's first winning season since 1998, and only the third winning season for the program since 1983. The last time a Tiger team won more than eight games was 1969, when MU won nine games under Hall of Fame Coach Dan Devine.
While the top spot at signal caller is solidified, there is plenty of talent, but little-to-no experience among the backups. Sophomore Brandon Coleman enters fall camp as the solid number two quarterback on the depth chart, after putting together a solid spring. A run-pass threat much like Smith, Coleman showed Tiger coaches that he is capable of being a game-ready quarterback in the fall, should the opportunity arise. Coleman's development becomes even more important to the cause, as MU lost a talented backup quarterback in Santino Riccio, who chose to transfer to the University of Delaware in the off-season.
"Obviously, Brad wants to improve himself just like any player," said Pinkel. "Our big thing right now for Coleman is, can he run the offense, can we win with him? He's a great athlete, he's a great kid, he's worked hard, and hopefully we're going to say yes, and we'll be disappointed if we say no, but there's a sense of urgency on him now to get himself ready to play. We felt good about what he did during the spring, and that will need to carry over into the fall," said Pinkel.
A pair of highly-touted freshmen quarterbacks will join the squad in the fall, in Columbia, Mo., native Chase Patton and St. Louis, Mo., native Darrell Jackson. Patton was a record-setting passer just down Providence Road at Rock Bridge High School, and was considered by most experts to be one of the top-20 quarterback prospects in the nation. Jackson was a human-highlight reel at Webster Groves High School, who he led to two straight state title game appearances (winning the championship as a junior). Jackson was named a first-team prep All-American as an all-purpose back by Parade Magazine and EA Sports.
TAILBACK
Lettermen Lost
(1 w/12 2003 starts)
Zack Abron****(12)
Lettermen Returning
(3 w/1 2003 start)
Damien Nash*(1)
Tyrone Roberson***
Beau Viehmann*
In most situations, when a school loses its alltime leading rusher, uncertainty would likely follow. But despite losing standout tailback Zack Abron (MU's career leading rusher with 3,198 yards) to matriculation, the backfield situation appears to be in good shape heading into the fall.
 Damien Nash rushed for 462 yards and five touchdowns as a backup in 2003. |
Nash is a homerun threat that MU fans haven't seen in awhile, with his breakaway speed and dazzling moves. He had a strong spring period, and looked increasingly stronger as he continues to distance himself from a knee injury that forced him to miss the 2002 season.
Redshirt freshman scatback Marcus Woods had an outstanding spring period, and moved up to the number two spot on the depth chart. Woods, a diminutive 5-foot-8 fireball, turned eyes continually last fall working with the scout team, and he continued his impressive display in the spring, which he capped off by rushing for over 100 yards and a long touchdown in the annual Black and Gold Game.
Veteran Tyrone Roberson is listed at number three on the depth chart heading into fall camp. The senior back missed the spring period due to a knee injury he suffered in practice prior to the 2003 Independence Bowl, but he will be back in time for the season. Roberson played in 12 games last year and had a team-best 7.6 yards per carry average, carrying 13 times for 99 yards. Senior Beau Viehmann returns to the mix here, as well, and will provide more quality depth in the Tiger backfield. Viehmann was used primarily as a blocking back in 2003, and also carried once on the year. "We feel pretty good about where we're at here," said Pinkel. "We lost Roberson for the spring, but he'll certainly be a part of that group. With Nash and Woods, I think that there's pretty good depth, and we might be able to do some different things with both of them back there than we've seen before. Viehmann has experience, we're pleased about having him back. Now we just want to have those guys play at a high level and get Roberson healthy and back for the fall," he said.
WIDE RECEIVER
Lettermen Lost
(3 w/14 2003 starts)
Darius Outlaw****(13)
Marcus James****(1)
Perry Purnell*
Lettermen Returning
(3 w/24 2003 starts)
Sean Coffey**(13)
Thomson Omboga***(10)
Brad Ekwerekwu*(1)
The passing game for Missouri dropped slightly in efficiency in 2003, so there will be many eyes turned to a talented group of receivers as they work to make a bigger impact in the air.
Key losses to the unit include Darius Outlaw, who led Mizzou with four touchdown catches in 2003, and Marcus James, who was a dependable pass-catcher and superb return man on special teams.
 Omboga was MU's top receiver in 2003 with 52 catches for 466 yards. |
But coming back to the mix is a solid core of receivers with experience, and some exciting newcomers who have a chance to contribute immediately.
Leading the returnees is senior Thomson Omboga, who was MU's top receiver in 2003 with 52 catches for 466 yards and one touchdown. He ended the season with a career-best eight catches for 63 yards in the Independence Bowl against Arkansas. Junior Sean Coffey is also back after he ranked third on the squad with 27 catches in 2003 for 341 yards and one touchdown. Sophomore Brad Ekwerekwu returns after he caught 11 passes for 128 yards in nine games as a true freshman in 2003. Other veterans include juniors Arnold Britt and Chris Crosby. Crosby caught one pass in 2003 for 11 yards, and will be full-go in the fall after missing the spring as he recovered from a knee injury suffered during off-season conditioning drills.
The Tigers were able to redshirt the talents of Greg Bracey and Jason Ray in 2003, and both should challenge for playing time in their second go-around in the program. Bracey is one of the fastest players on the team (who was clocked in the off-season at 4.29 seconds in the 40-yard dash), while Ray is an athletic receiver who had a very impressive spring practice period - catching virtually everything that came his way.
"This is another area to sort out a little bit, it will be interesting," said Pinkel. "We lost Marcus James and Darius Outlaw, both who made significant contributions, Marcus actually more as a kick return specialist, and Outlaw as a receiver. But Brad Ekwerekwu has played a lot, Omboga maybe had his best game in the last game of the year in the bowl game, Coffey has done some real good things and we're looking for more consistency there. Then you look at the Bracey's, the Ray's the Britt's. Crosby was hurt, but we'll have him back in the fall. We have a lot to sort out. Ekwerekwu has run in the 4.3's, Bracey has run in the 4.2's, so a lot of things are happening there and we should have some good competition here," he said.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Lettermen Lost
(6 w/45 2003 starts)
Rob Droege****(WT-13)
A.J. Ricker****(C-13)
Cliff Young***(SG-12)
Steve Sanchez* (ST-7)
Scott Sells***
Howard Brown*
Lettermen Returning
(4 w/20 2003 starts)
Tony Palmer**(WG-10)
Scott Paffrath**(ST-6)
Joe Gianino**(WG-3,SG-1)
Zach Strom**
The area which faces the biggest rebuilding task due to personnel losses is clearly the Tiger offensive line. With the loss of all-league center A.J. Ricker (13 starts in 2003 and an MU-record 47 consecutive starts) and tackle Rob Droege (13 starts in 2003), in addition to key contributors Cliff Young (12) and Steven Sanchez (7), a lot of experience has departed the ranks from a line which paved the way to Mizzou leading the Big 12 Conference, and ranking 6th nationally in rushing in 2003.
However, expectations are still high for the line, as three proven competitors return to lead the way. Junior Tony Palmer, who started 10 games in 2003 at guard, is the focal point of the line, and is an all-league candidate who will be looked upon to solidify things up front. Joining Palmer with outstanding experience are seniors Scott Paffrath and Joe Gianino. Paffrath started six games in 2003 at tackle, while Gianino made four starts at guard, and has 11 career starts under his belt there. Gianino began the spring practice period at center, as coaches thought he might need to step in for the departed Ricker, but he soon moved back to guard due to the development of redshirt freshman Adam Spieker.
Spieker, a Webb City, Mo., native, entered the spring period second on the depth chart at center, but quickly moved his way up to the top spot due to his impressive play. He is joined on the first team by fellow redshirt freshman Tyler Luellen, who holds the top spot at the weakside tackle position entering fall camp. The Bethany, Mo., native worked his way up the depth chart with an impressive spring practice period, and he looks to be the favorite to replace Droege in the role of protecting quarterback Brad Smith's blind side.
Waiting in the wings to make an impact is a solid group of veterans. Leading candidates among those with the most experience include senior tackle Tony Clinker and sophomore guard Mike Cook, who both saw action in four games in 2003. Sophomore tackle Joel Clinger played in two games in 2003, and is a prime candidate to compete for significant playing time, as well. Additionally, senior Howard Brissette hopes to earn a spot in the rotation this fall.
Clinker (weakside tackle), Cook (strongside guard) and Clinger (strongside tackle), are all listed second on the depth chart at their respective positions, while Brissette holds down the No. 3 spot at strongside guard heading into fall camp. Another talented redshirt freshman, Monte Wyrick, will have a chance to contribute immediately. Wyrick gained a valuable redshirt year in 2003 and is now looking to compete for playing time this fall - he is listed at No. 2 on the depth chart at weakside guard.
"I think the offensive line is certainly an area that has to get sorted out - when you lose three starters and five players that played significantly, there is reason to be concerned," said Pinkel. "I do feel pretty good because we have Paffrath who has played and started a bunch, Palmer who has played and started a bunch, Gianino is the same way, so we have three players who have played a significant amount of time. The rest of it is going to be a competition between all of the other guys, and it will be interesting to see what happens," he said.
TIGHT END
Lettermen Lost
(2 w/11 2003 starts)
J.D. McCoy****(11)
Mau Uiagalelei*
Lettermen Returning
(2 w/3 2003 starts)
Victor Sesay*(2)
Clint Matthews**(1)
Despite losing its primary starter over the last two years, the tight end position is stocked with quite a bit of talent. Mizzou lost the services of veteran J.D. McCoy (11 starts in 2003) to graduation, so finding the primary replacement will be an emphasis early on. Talent at the position runs pretty deep, though, as three veterans and a handful of talented newcomers will look to compete for playing time.
One of the most likely candidates would have to be senior Victor Sesay, who caught 15 passes for 154 yards and was second on the team in 2003 with three receiving touchdowns. Included in that TD total was 14-yarder he caught on a 4th-quarter fake field goal against Nebraska that propelled Mizzou to its landmark win over the 10th-ranked Huskers. His 2003 season ended prematurely in game number nine at Colorado due to a knee injury, but he returned to full contact toward the latter part of the spring period, and will be full strength for the fall. Sesay is listed at No. 1 on the depth chart entering fall camp.
Others with playing experience include senior Clint Matthews and sophomore DeQuincy Howard. Matthews played in all 13 games in 2003 and had four catches for 15 yards, while Howard saw action in nine contests and caught two balls for 14 yards, including a touchdown grab at Kansas State late in the season. Matthews holds down the No. 2 spot on the depth chart after a solid spring, while Howard is listed at No. 3 heading into the fall.
A pair of promising redshirt freshmen tight ends - Martin Rucker and Josh Barbo - have Tiger coaches excited about the future. Both are very talented and athletic and have a chance to make solid contributions this year. Rucker, the younger brother of NFL standout Mike Rucker, missed the majority of the spring period due to a shoulder injury, but will be full strength when fall camp opens. Barbo had a solid spring and is listed fifth on the depth chart, one spot behind Rucker. "Sesay has played a lot, Matthews played quite a bit, and you look at DeQuincy Howard who got hurt and played a little bit at the end and did some good things, he's a redshirt sophomore and we expect him to mature," said Pinkel. "Sesay is going to be back, we expect him to develop into a high-level player. Rucker and Barbo are two real good-looking freshmen, so there will be a lot of competition," he said.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Lettermen Lost
(3 w/5 2003 starts)
Russ Bell**(DT-5)
Kene Chukwuanu*
Rusty Groth*
Lettermen Returning
(7 w/46 2003 starts)
C.J. Mosley**(DT-11)
Zach Ville*(DE-11)
Atiyyah Ellison**(DT-10)
Brian Smith*(DE-9)
Xzavie Jackson*(DE-4)
Phil Pitts***(DE-1)
Fabian Bean*
Depth should not be a problem in the trenches for Mizzou this season, as the Tigers return all four primary starters on the defensive line for the 2004 season, as well as two others who started at various points during 2003.
 Junior tackle C.J. Mosley amassed 67 tackles in '03 to earn 2nd-team All-Big 12 honors. |
Junior tackle C.J. Mosley returns from a season which saw him earn 2nd-team All-Big 12 honors after starting 11 games and amassing 67 tackles, including a team-best 16 tackles for loss. He was ranked as the 7th-best defensive tackle in the nation by one pre-season magazine, and was named a pre-season 2nd-team All-American by Street & Smith's. Also returning after making 11 starts at end in 2003 is senior Zach Ville, who had 50 stops last season, including 11 for loss. Senior tackle Atiyyah Ellison is another all-star candidate who had 72 stops in 2003 (14 for loss) and earned 3rd-team All-Big 12 honors. Sophomore rush end Brian Smith also returns after starting nine games in 2003 and racking up a team-best and NCAA freshman leading eight sacks.
Two others return to the mix to provide quality depth, including sophomore end Xzavie Jackson and senior Phil Pitts. Jackson was one of only two true freshmen to play for MU in 2003, and he racked up 34 tackles in just nine games, starting four in all. He is also listed at No. 1 on the depth chart heading into fall, as he and Smith should provide good competition at one end spot. Pitts is a very valuable part of the line who can play either inside or outside, as evidenced by his one start in 2003 coming at end. Other linemen with prior experience include Fabian Bean, Earl Stephens and Elgin Childress.
Newcomers to the line include redshirt freshman Lorenzo Williams, who moved from linebacker a year ago, and true freshman Phinney Troy, originally part of the 2003 recruiting class who delayed his entry into school until this January.
"We have a lot of guys that have played here," said Pinkel. "You take Ville, Ellison, Pitts, and Mosley. Mosley and Ellison are our all-conference guys. Bean didn't play a lot but he's a sophomore and is a good prospect. Jackson and Brian Smith give us talent that we haven't had since we've been here so that's encouraging. Now, what is going to happen with a Stephens competing, what's happening with Troy, they're in there. Childress, who was hurt, he's run in the 4.6's, he's 245 and a defensive end. Lorenzo Williams, we redshirted him a year ago, he's 265 and running in the low 4.8's now, so there's a lot of good things happening there and that is going to be fun to watch all of this sort itself out," he said.
"Overall on defense, we made a lot of strides from one year to the next, we took over seven points off per game, and I'm very pleased with that," said Pinkel. "I think the thing we need to do, without question, is to become a better rush defense. That isn't just the front four, that comes from every position. We also have to be able to pressure the quarterback more, and we've been able to get 24 turnovers two years in a row, but we need to get the turnovers in the 30's. That's something that is going to help change games. Certainly, we had some big turnover games against some good teams that really helped - Texas Tech, Nebraska, Texas A&M - but overall, 24 isn't good enough. So, overall, we're pleased with the progress, but now we have to take it to another level, take the next step," Pinkel said.
LINEBACKER
Lettermen Lost
(2 w/13 2003 starts)
Brandon Barnes***(13)
Ryan Binkholder*
Lettermen Returning
(6 w/27 2003 starts)
Dedrick Harrington*(RV-12, DE-1)
James Kinney***(12)
Henry Sweat**(1)
Marcus Bacon*(WH-1)
Doc Gooden**
Derrick Ming**
Getting the most athletic players possible at the crucial linebacker position was an emphasis of the coaching staff in the spring, and a couple of key moves were made in order to do so, thus giving the position a different feel heading into the 2004 season. The moves led the coaching staff to change its base set from a 4-2-5 to a more traditional 4-3 look - and if the spring period was any indication, the change should prove fruitful in 2004.
But first off, returning to the mix is senior All-America candidate James Kinney. Kinney has ranked in the nation's top-20 tacklers each of the last two years, and with 322 career tackles, he needs just 94 more to break DeMontie Cross' career record of 415 (from 1994-96). One pre-season publication listed Kinney as the 11th-best linebacker in the nation, and Street & Smith's tabbed him as a pre-season 2nd-team All-American. He tops the depth chart at the weakside linebacker spot.
The big additions to the linebacking pool that drew the eyes of many observers during the spring include standout athletes Dedrick Harrington and David Richard. Harrington was a member of the Big 12 All-Freshman team in 2003 after a redshirt freshman season that saw him rack up 64 tackles, including 11 for loss, to go with two sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one interception while playing at the rover position. He moved in the spring to middle linebacker, and seemed to pick up the new position very quickly, as he is listed No. 1 on the depth chart there heading into the fall.
Richard sat out last season and took reps as a scout team running back after transferring from Michigan State, where he led the Spartans in rushing as a true freshman in 2002. He made the decision to move to linebacker in the off-season, and quickly showed during the spring that he would be an impact player at the position - he enters the fall listed at No. 1 on the depth chart at the strongside linebacker position. Richard was named the team's most improved linebacker in the spring.
Also returning with 23 games of experience under his belt is senior Henry Sweat, who has one career start at linebacker. Sweat had a career-best 50 tackles in 2003, and is listed at No. 2 on the depth chart at the middle linebacker spot. Juniors Orlando "Doc" Gooden and Derrick Ming have been special teams standouts the past two seasons, and should see their playing time opportunities grow on the defensive squad this year. Ming is No. 2 on the depth chart at weakside 'backer, while Gooden is No. 3 in the middle.
Sophomore Marcus Bacon is another superb athlete who moved to linebacker in the spring, switching from the whip position, which was a hybrid of linebacker and safety. Bacon excelled on special teams primarily in 2003, but did get some quality time during the year at whip, and started once, while recording 16 tackles in 12 games total. He enters fall camp listed at No. 2 on the depth chart at the strongside linebacker position.
Sophomore Emmett Morris, Jr., is a hard-hitting linebacker who hopes to contribute after dealing with nagging injuries that have limited him recently. Morris enters the season at No. 3 on the depth chart at the weakside linebacker spot.
"We made a few moves here, with David Richard moving to linebacker and Dedrick Harrington moving to inside linebacker," said Pinkel. "We did this because that's where Dedrick's best position is going to be and we finally are able to get him there. Athletically, he'll be at the highest level. David Richard had done a good job with his new position, and he has the potential to be an impact player as a linebacker. There's a lot of competition there between Sweat, Kinney, Ming, and Morris along with Harrington and Richard and Bacon, who also moved to linebacker. Talk about upgrading a position athletically, that's changed significantly. That's good, those are the kind of athletes we need in there, and guess what? The best guys will play and the competition will take care of itself," he said.
SAFETY
Lettermen Lost
(3 w/0 2003 starts)
Josh Hibbets*
Daniel Nutter*
Richard Willis*
Lettermen Returning
(5 w/25 2003 starts)
Nino Williams*(FS-13)
Jason Simpson**(WH-9)
David Overstreet*(WH-3)
Justin Scott**
Quincy Wade**
Mizzou's new base defensive 4-3 set will employ a strong safety and a free safety primarily, and the position looks to be in good hands with a lot of talent and experience returning for 2004.
Leading the way will be senior Nino Williams II, who was MU's most valuable newcomer defensively in 2003, as the junior college transfer ranked third on the squad with 105 tackles in 13 starts at free safety. Williams proved to be a big playmaker, as he tied for the team lead with three recovered fumbles, and ranked second on the squad with nine passes broken up. He moved to strong safety in the spring.
Junior Jason Simpson is moving over from the whip position to try his hand at free safety, and he'll bring plenty of experience with him. Simpson has 18 career starts under his belt at the whip, and in 12 games last season, he ranked fourth on the team with 81 tackles.
Sophomore David Overstreet will provide great competition and another superb athlete at free safety, a year after he came on strong late and earned starts at the whip position in the last three games of 2003. Overstreet switched to defense from quarterback in the spring of 2003, and became a quick study as he ended the year with 44 tackles. He is listed at No. 2 on the depth chart at free safety entering the fall.
Looking to compete for playing time at strong safety is newcomer Brandon Massey. A St. Louis, Mo., native who transferred to MU from Michigan State along with high school teammate David Richard, Massey sat out the 2003 season due to NCAA transfer rules. He turned in an outstanding spring and was named the team's most improved safety for his efforts, and enters fall at No. 2 on the depth chart.
Junior Quincy Wade played in 11 games last season at the rover position, and really developed into an impact player as the season went along, as he earned the team's outside safety of the year award. He registered 45 tackles on the season, and will be full strength in the fall after missing the spring due to elective knee surgery in the off-season, and is No. 3 on the depth chart at strong safety.
Competing for playing time at free safety will be junior Justin Scott and redshirt freshman Lareno Seymour. Scott has been a special teams standout for two years, and Seymour is a talented prospect who was able to redshirt in 2003.
"At strong safety, we have Williams, Massey and Wade. Williams is an impact player and has great leadership abilities," said Pinkel. "We're excited to have Brandon Massey out there after a year on the sideline, he's going to add to our athleticism, no question. Quincy Wade missed the spring due to knee surgery, but he'll be fine for the season," said Pinkel.
"We have Simpson moved over to the free safety position along with Overstreet, Scott and Seymour. Simpson did a lot of good things last year, and we feel like he can be an impact player here," said Pinkel.
"Overstreet is going to compete there," said Pinkel. "Scott has played a lot on special teams, Overstreet started a few times, and so on. It's definitely far better from where we were when we got here," said Pinkel.
CORNERBACK
Lettermen Lost
(2 w/17 2003 starts)
Michael Harden****(13)
Terrence Curry***(4)
Lettermen Returning
(5 w/10 2003 starts)
Calvin Washington**(8)
A.J. Kincade**(1)
Shirdonya Mitchell***(1)
Marcus King**(S-7 in 2002)
Ryan Edwards*
The cornerback position loses the services of corners Michael Harden (28 career starts) and Terrence Curry (8 career starts), but will still be long on returning experience, as three players return who started at least once in 2003, with a fourth who redshirted in 2003 after starting seven games in 2002.
Despite losing Harden, the cornerback position should be in good shape for Mizzou in 2004. Junior Calvin Washington is MU's most experienced returning corner, as he recorded 52 tackles, six passes broken up, two fumble recoveries and one interception last season in 13 games, including eight starts. Junior A.J. Kincade is a speedy back who has 24 games of experience under his belt at corner, including three career starts. Kincade had a career-high 23 tackles in 2003, and closed the year strong by breaking up two passes in MU's Independence Bowl game against Arkansas. Senior Shirdonya Mitchell, who is MU's fastest player at 4.28 seconds in the 40-yard dash, made steady improvements during the 2003 season at corner, after having played wide receiver for his previous two years.
The corners will also be bolstered by the return of junior Marcus King, who redshirted in 2003 after playing each of his first two years in the program at safety. He recorded 48 tackles as a true sophomore in 2002 and has made the move to corner. Another newcomer, of sorts, to the corner position will be redshirt freshman Alex Woodley, who switched to cornerback in the off-season after taking reps as a scout team running back during the 2003 season.
The post-spring depth chart at corner looked like this: Kincade, Washington and Woodley, in that order, on one side, with the other consisting of Mitchell, followed by King.
"You've got the four experienced corners in Washington, Mitchell, Kincade and King," said Pinkel. "We were able to redshirt King last year, which was huge for us. We moved Woodley from tailback over to corner, so we feel that's a good move for him and our defense. Washington has played a lot, Kincade and King have played a lot, Mitchell has played a lot. When we got here, there was one scholarship cornerback on the roster, and he was coming off knee surgery, so it's comforting to see the depth that is building here," said Pinkel.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Lettermen Lost
(2 w/14 2003 starts)
Mike Matheny**(PK-13)
Todd Gohsler*(P-1)
Lettermen Returning
(1 w/12 2003 starts)
Brock Harvey***(P-12)
Overall, the special teams proved to be a solid aspect of the program in 2003. The punt return and kickoff return teams consistently helped positively impact field position, with the punt return team ending the season ranked fourth in the nation, with an average return of 14.9 yards.
The return game will be in a state of transition in 2004, as standout Marcus James, who holds MU's career record for total return yardage, is gone. The Tigers will benefit from the return of senior Shirdonya Mitchell to handle kickoff returns again, after leading MU with an average of 24.1 yards per kickoff return in 2003. Mitchell, with his 4.28 speed, is a threat to go the distance each time he gets the ball, and he could also handle some punt return duties. Looking to potentially join Mitchell as return weapons include redshirt freshman speedsters Marcus Woods, Alex Woodley and Greg Bracey.
Likewise, the place kicking will be in new hands in 2004, due to the graduation of two-year starter Michael Matheny. Matheny was a very steady presence for Mizzou the past two years, and his replacement will likely come from a pool consisting of sophomore Alex Pettersen, and redshirt freshman Adam Crossett. Pettersen would seem to have the edge heading into the fall, as he is the only kicker with game experience to date, and is listed atop the depth chart to begin the year.
After a down year in 2003, the punting game looks to return to the form that saw it rank among the nation's top 20 in 2002. Senior Brock Harvey is the leading candidate to perform the duties once again, and he hopes to regain the swing that saw him average 42.5 yards per punt in 2002. Walkons Derek Randall (redshirt freshman) and Matt Hoenes (sophomore) handled the punting duties during the spring, as Harvey was out of action after having surgery on his kicking foot during the off-season. He'll be full strength by the fall.
Senior lineman Zach Strom returns as MU's primary deep snapper to give the Tigers dependability at that vital position. "There's one area we were very poor in, and that was the punting game, and that's got to change," said Pinkel. "We went from the first year being poor to top 20 in the nation the next year, back to being poor again. We have to work that out, whatever it is, it has to change. If you look at the other areas of our kicking game we were pretty sound, some were outstanding. Our kickoff return at times was exceptional in big games - it gave us field position and we just want to get more consistent there. If you look at our punt return, we were in the top five in the nation and were pretty darn good with Marcus James back there. Our kicker, Mike Matheny, was very solid, we were just so efficient in the red zone for the most part that we didn't need to kick a lot of field goals," he said.
"Pettersen and Crossett are competing for the number-one kicking job, and it's a case of 'may the best man win.' Harvey was out for the spring, but certainly will be expecting to be competing, get back to 100% and get going. We've got Randall and Hoenes who did most of the punting during the spring," he said.
"Marcus James provided such an impact with the return game and field position, but you take guys like Woodley, Woods, Mitchell and Bracey, and it will be really interesting to see how the whole thing sorts out. I don't know, but I think we have a chance to really help ourselves by getting a little more kick scoring," he said.
