April 10, 2007
Columbia, Mo. -
The University of Missouri football squad scrimmaged Tuesday afternoon, finishing up the remainder of the plays held over from last Saturday. Once again, the team was forced indoors due to inclement weather in Columbia, as was the previous scrimmage.
The Tiger offense had the upper hand most of the day, with the normal suspects making the most waves. QB Chase Daniel looked in mid-season form, as he was perfect on the day, completing all nine of his pass attempts for 145 yards and a pair of touchdowns. His first score was a 14-yard strike on a fade route to TE Martin Rucker in the corner of the endzone. Rucker ended the day with four catches for 14 yards in all.
Daniel's second strike was a beautiful 25-yard toss to WR Will Franklin that came in two-minute drill work and ended a 65-yard drive. Franklin had three catches on the day for 81 yards in all, in his first action wearing jersey number 2. The St. Louis, Mo., native switched to 2 today as that number became open on the offensive side of the ball with former TB Connell Davis switching to the defense. Franklin wore 2 at Vashon High School.
WR Danario Alexander had the biggest day among Tiger wideouts, as he hauled in four catches for 86 yards, including a 36-yarder on the first play of the day from QB Chase Patton. He later made an incredible one-handed, acrobatic catch on a third-down from Patton that went for 19 yards and kept a drive alive. Patton had another solid day as he continues to battle for the primary back-up role to Daniel, as he completed 11-of-16 passes for 108 yards, with one interception.
TB Tony Temple ran hard, continuing his impressive-looking spring. The Kansas City, Mo., native carried six times and gained 50 yards, and had a nice 12-yard touchdown as he got outside and outraced all defenders down the left sideline. Marcus Woods had an efficient day, as he carried four times for 27 yards, and also caught two passes out of the backfield for 15 yards. Earl Goldsmith returned to action and ran hard, as he rushed six times for 23 yards, while Jimmy Jackson had seven yards on four carries.
Redshirt freshman LB Marquis Booker had the highlight of the game for the defense, as he stepped in front of a pass and race the other way for what might have been an 80-yard interception return, before the play was whistled dead. Newcomer Castine Bridges also made a nice play late in the scrimagge as he sniffed out a slant route and intercepted a pass in traffic from Patton to end a drive.
Senior DL Lorenzo Williams had a solid day for the defense, as he had a tackle for loss and a quarterback sack on the day. John Stull added a sack, while LB Joe Schumacher also tallied a tackle for loss. DT Andy Maples had a QB hurry, while CB Hardy Ricks, DE Tommy Chavis, DE Bart Coslett and CB Tremaine Vaughns all had passes broken up.
The Tigers return to practice Thursday afternoon, and will also have a Friday session prior to a Saturday morning scrimmage.
Stats from today's scrimmaging include:
PASSING
Chase Daniel - 9-9, 145 yds., 2 TDs
Chase Patton - 11-16, 108 yds., 1 INT
Dominic Grooms - 8-12, 68 yds.
J.P. Tillman - 2-6, 19 yds., 1 INT
RUSHING
Tony Temple - 6-50, 1 TD
Marcus Woods - 4-27
Earl Goldsmith - 6-23
Jimmy Jackson - 4-7
Shawn Scott - 3-14
J.P. Tillman - 4-2
Dominic Grooms - 1-6
Jon Gissinger - 1-1
Chase Daniel - 1-0
RECEIVING
Danario Alexander - 4-86
Martin Rucker - 4-14, 1 TD
Will Franklin - 3-81, 1 TD
Lucas Null - 3-36
Jason Ray - 3-11
Jared Perry - 2-23
Marcus Woods - 2-15
Tommy Saunders - 2-9
Shawn Scott - 2-9
Tony Temple - 1-9
Jeremy Maclin - 1-8
Blake May - 1-8
Forrest Shock - 1-7
Jimmy Jackson - 1-5
FIELD GOALS
Jeff Wolfert - 5-7 (Make: 21, 33, 40, 40, 44) (Miss: 33, 42)
Adam Crossett - 5-7 (Make: 21, 33, 40, 40, 44) (Miss: 33, 42)