Aug. 7, 2014

Columbia, Mo. - Much-needed rain showers blanketed the mid-Missouri area Wednesday morning, and that moved the Mizzou Football team inside the Dan Devine Indoor Pavilion for practice number four of its 2014 training camp.  The Tigers worked out for their last day without full pads for a little over two hours and had a sharp practice session.

Here were a few highlights from 11-on-11 scrimmaging Wednesday:

• With the #1 offense and #1 defense squaring off, sophomore QB Maty Mauk scrambled for a nice gain when downfield coverage wasn't open...
• A couple of plays later, Mauk connected with junior TB Russell Hansbrough on a delay that worked for a nice gain of around 20 yards.  Senior OL Anthony Gatti had a beautiful kick out block to free the edge for the play...
• Senior DT Lucas Vincent got into the backfield for a touch sack of Mauk...
• Mauk had a pass over the middle intended for senior WR Jimmie Hunt, but it was deflected into the air by junior FS Ian Simon.  Just when Simon looked like he'd make the interception, Hunt alertly grabbed the spinning ball with an over the shoulder catch to prevent the turnover and turn it into a five-yard gain...
• With reserve units going up against each other, defensive back Shaun Rupert had an interception in the flat for what likely what would have been a pick six effort...
• DL Justin Grava contributed with a QB sack of his own for the defense...
• With the top units scrimmaging again, sophomore CB Aarion Penton had a nice pass break up over the middle, as he wrenched the ball away from senior WR Bud Sasser on a pass over the middle from Mauk...
• On the next play, Vincent again got loose for a touch sack of Mauk...
• Later, the action moved to the red zone with the #1 squads going against each other...
• Hansbrough got around the right edge for a gain of around seven yards, with senior WR Darius White providing a good seal block on the edge...
• Mauk hit Hunt for a quick strike of seven yards...
• Mauk tried a check down pass to sophomore TB Morgan Steward in the flat, but junior LB Kentrell Brothers had it covered, and shed a downfield block to stop Steward in his tracks for a slight loss on the play...
• A couple of plays later, Brothers was there again on the edge to string out a sweep to the sideline for no gain, with help from some fellow defenders...
• The defense closed strong on the day, as sophomore CB John Gibson had tight coverage in the end zone of White, preventing a potential touchdown pass from Mauk, as the pass fell incomplete...
• The day ended with sophomore LB Michael Scherer making a nice run fit to keep Hansbrough from scoring from the three-yard line...

At the end of Wednesday's practice, several Tigers were recognized for reaching personalized academic goals.  Those who got recognized included:

• Josh Augusta
• Brock Bondurant
• Stephen Carberry
• Taylor Chappell
• Matt Hoch
• Eric Laurent
• Brandon Lee
• Wesley Leftwich
• Mitch Morse
• Chaston Ward

The Tigers will hit the practice field Friday for practice #5 of fall camp.  They'll be wearing full pads for the first time, so stay tuned to www.MUTigers.com for a review of the day.