April 12, 2008

GALLERY

Columbia, Mo. -

The Missouri Tiger football team scrimmaged inside the Devine Pavilion Saturday morning in preparation for their annual Black and Gold Game April 19.

 

With a handful of key defenders out because of injury, the Tiger offense had little trouble demonstrating for a large gathering of fans and Missouri high school coaches how they amassed a school-record 558 points last season.  Seven different Tigers scored during the two-and-a-half scrimmage. 

 

QB Chase Daniel got the scoring started with a 4-play, 60-yard drive against the first team defense.  A Jeremy Maclin end-around went for a four-yard gain, followed by two Daniel completions to TE Chase Coffman which set up Daniel's perfect over-the-shoulder 32-yard touchdown pass to WR Jared Perry.  The first-team defense recovered and halted the first-team offense on the next possession.

 

A trio of Tiger tailbacks -- senior Jimmy Jackson, sophomore Derrick Washington and freshman De'Vion Moore -- was efficient for the second consecutive scrimmage.  Moore led all backs with 64 rushing yards, including a 16-yard touchdown early in the day.  He later ran out of a Sean Weatherspoon tackle, who returned to practice this week despite a torn labrum in his shoulder.  The backs were aided by some good downfield blocking by the Tiger receivers, especially Tommy Saunders who keyed back-to-back 13-yard gains.

 

Washington had 42 yards on the ground on nine carries, including a one-yard scoring dive, while Jackson gained 40 yards on nine carries, as well.

 

Converted defensive back La'Roderick Thomas took a Chase Patton pass for a 35-yard touchdown after Thomas avoided a Hardy Ricks' tackle attempt in the open field.   Thomas ended the day with a scrimmage-high eight receptions for 89 yards.

 

Two of Missouri's young corners had productive days as Kevin Rutland recorded two interceptions and Trey Hobson returned a Patton pass 45 yards for a touchdown.

 

Later, Patton threw a 31-yard pass to WR Brandon Gerau, a fellow Rock Bridge alum, who had snuck behind the secondary.  Toward the end of the scrimmage, diving deflections from Rutland and S Matt Davis prevented Patton-to-Gerau touchdown connections.

 

Washington finished a first-team offense 30-yard scoring drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. The drive included three consecutive passes to Maclin totaling18 yards.

 

QB Dominic Grooms, who saw some time working with the second-team offense, scored a 5-yard touchdown run of his own.

 

The annual Black and Gold game is scheduled for Saturday and will be televised nationally on ESPNU. Faurot Field gates will open at 11 a.m., with the traditional Fan Zone open on the North Concourse until kickoff at 1 p.m. Mizzou fans can also gear up for the 2008 season at the annual Tiger Team Store and Equipment Room spring sale, which will be going on throughout the weekend.

 

In response to increased interest in the game, tickets are available in advance for the first time, by calling 1-800-CAT-PAWS (884-PAWS in Columbia), or in person at the Mizzou Arena ticket window (located on the north side of the building). Tickets cost $3. Three canned food items (accepted only on game day) also gain admittance to the game, with the food going to benefit the Central Missouri Food Bank.