Aug. 10, 2011
Columbia, Mo. - Wednesday marked day seven of pre-season camp for the Missouri Tiger football team. The Tigers held practice on Faurot Field in overcast and cool weather conditions that were most unseasonable, but very much appreciated by the players.
The offense claimed a win for the second straight morning, and successfully defended their Tuesday morning victory. This one was much closer, as a very competitive practice went down to the final period. With the score tied at three periods apiece, it came down to the #1 offense against the #1 defense. Sophomore QB James Franklin took over at his own 30-yardline and managed a very nice drive that took the offense downfield enough to register a 7-5 win in the period, and the 4-3 victory overall on the day.
On the drive, junior TB Kendial Lawrence burst through the line for a gain of around 10 yards before whistles signaled the play dead. That was followed by Franklin finding a streaking Jerrell Jackson down the left sideline for a gain of 30 yards on a nice timing play. On the next snap, senior TE Michael Egnew found a spot down the seam where he sat down and Franklin found him open for a gain of close to 10 yards that moved the ball near the red zone.
It wasn't all offense on the drive, as junior LB Zaviar Gooden and senior DE Jacquies Smith converged in the backfield to sack Franklin on the first play of the series. Senior LB Luke Lambert also made a big play later in the possession when he strung wide a run attempt by senior TB De'Vion Moore, and wrangled him to the ground for a 5-yard loss.
With the offense holding a 6-5 lead on the final play, Franklin found senior WR T.J. Moe on an out route that was perfectly executed for a 10-yard gain and a first down that clinched the period and the day for the offense.
Tiger Coach Gary Pinkel was pleased with what he saw on Wednesday.
"That was a very competitive practice out there today," he said. "It's really important to have that consistently because it just makes you better, and I thought we got better today as a team overall," he said.
A few random observations taken from today's session:
WR Gahn McGaffie (hamstring) and WR Jaleel Clark (shoulder) were held out of practice today. Junior college recruit Sheldon Richardson was not on the field, as his status remains unchanged...
CB Randy Ponder had an interception earlier in the day on a ball that caromed off several people. Freshman TB Greg White had a nice play in a goalline situation against the #1 defense when he spun out of a tackle by LB Will Ebner in the backfield, and shot through the line for a 1-yard touchdown run in redzone work...
In other redzone work, Franklin connected with Moe for a 10-yard touchdown, but the #2 defense held the #1 offense out of the endzone on the other three snaps. Later, when the number ones units went against each other, TB Kendial Lawrence was stopped shy of the goalline on a 3rd-and-goal from the 2-yardline, as the middle of the line held tight...
Reserve QBs Corbin Berkstresser and Ashton Glaser both had short TD passes in redzone work. Berkstresser found WR Rolandis Woodland for a 5-yard score, while Glaser swung a pass in the flat to WR Kerwin Stricker, and Stricker maneuvered for a 3-yard touchdown...
One Tiger who is coming back from an injury made a good showing today, as sophomore LB Donovan Bonner made some nice plays on Wednesday. One that stood out came late in the day when he rushed into the backfield to flush Glaser out of the pocket. Glaser, who has good mobility, got away initially, but Bonner showed good speed and quickness as he recovered and chased Glaser out of bounds for what looked to be a short loss on the play...
Mizzou returns to the practice field Thursday for what is scheduled to be two practices. The first is set for 7:15 a.m. and the second is set for 3:45 p.m. Stay tuned to www.mutigers.com for continuing coverage of camp.