Football Holds First Spring Scrimmage

FootballApril 04, 2008

Football Holds First Spring Scrimmage

April 5, 2008

Columbia, Mo. -

The Missouri football team held its first of three official spring scrimmages Saturday morning on Faurot Field.

Long touchdown receptions by wideouts Jeremy Maclin and Jared Perry, several big hits from the Tiger secondary and a solid performance from both first-team units highlighted the action.

The first touchdown of the morning came courtesy of a miscommunication by the Tiger defense. Quarterback Chase Daniel found a wide-open Maclin on the right sideline as the consensus All-American jogged into the end zone for an easy 50-yard touchdown. It was one of eight catches for Maclin (95 yards total), who was a beneficiary of an efficient 20 for 25 passing performance from Daniel (258 yards, two touchdowns).

Several drives later, while leading the No. 2 offense, QB Chase Patton's short fade pass found Perry in the back left corner of the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown.

Daniel effectively led the two-minute offense late in the scrimmage. The senior QB put together a 5-play, 75-yard dive that included two completions to TE Chase Coffman and a 34-yard pass to Perry. TB Jimmy Jackson capped off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run.

On the final play of the scrimmage, Perry scored his second touchdown of the day, a 41-yard reception from a scrambling Daniel. In all, the first-team Tiger offense scored touchdowns on two of its three 2-minute drill opportunities.

Perry had a big day, as he hauled in six catches for 99 yards and the pair of TDs, while Coffman had eight catches for a scrimmage-high 101 yards.

The play of the day came from Coffman, who took a short pass from Daniel and turned it into a 20-yard gain after welcoming Notre Dame transfer DB Munir Prince to Mizzou by hurdling the 5-foot-11 defender, and continuing 10 yards further. Freshman cornerback Trey Hobson stood out throughout the day, as he laid a big hit on Maclin and, shortly after, tackled TB Jimmy Jackson for a loss in the backfield.

The stable of Tiger running backs also impressed. In addition to Jackson's 1-yard touchdown run, Derrick Washington added 39 yards on eight carries, including a notable 11-yard pick-up with help from a stiff-arm on DE Chris Earnhardt. Redshirt freshman tailback De'Vion Moore totaled 44 yards on 10 attempts.

DT Ziggy Hood, a 2007 honorable mention All-Big 12, was a disruptive force late in the scrimmage. In a three-play span, Hood forced Patton to throw the ball away as he rolled out of the pocket. Two plays later, Hood sacked QB Dominic Grooms for an 8-yard loss.

Former Tigers Brad Ekwerekwu, Brandon Coleman and Greg Bracey made an appearance late in practice, and 2008 signee Blaine Gabbert was also seen on the sidelines studying the offense he'll be a part of this fall.

Missouri holds afternoon practices Tuesday and Thursday before scrimmaging again Saturday.

The annual Black and Gold game is scheduled for Sat., April 19, 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., with activities and games for the whole family. 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 just $3. Three canned food items (accepted only on gameday) also gain admittance to the game, with the food going to benefit the Central Missouri Food Bank.

Scrimmage Scoring Plays