@MizzouFootball’s Heupel Nominated for Broyles Award
11/8/2017 3:34:00 PM | Football
Mizzou offensive coordinator pulls the strings behind one of the nation’s most dynamic offenses
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Football offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel has been nominated for the Broyles Award, which attempts to honor the nation's top assistant coach. The nominees were announced Wednesday (Nov. 8) by the Frank & Barbara Broyles Foundation. This is the second consecutive year that a member of Mizzou's coaching staff has earned a nomination, after offensive line coach Glen Elarbee earned a nod in 2016.
Heupel is the signal caller for the nation's No. 15 offense, averaging 484.1 yards per game and 36.6 points (22nd nationally). Under the former Heisman finalist's offense, Mizzou ranks 14th nationally in passing offense (314.9 yards per game), seventh in yards per completion (15.74) and 21st in third down conversion percentage (0.455). His offense leads the nation in plays of 50+ yards as well.
Heupel also oversees Mizzou's quarterbacks and is a key mentor to junior QB Drew Lock (Lee's Summit, Mo.), who is enjoying a breakout season in his second campaign in Heupel's system. Lock leads the nation in passing touchdowns (31), is second nationally in yards per completion (15.88), fifth in passing efficiency (170.7), 10th in passing yards per game (310.6) and 11th in passing yards (2,795). Lock has raised his completion rate from 55 percent in 2016 to 61 percent this season, including an incredible 66 percent over his last six games.
Not only has Mizzou's offense thrived in the skill positions under Heupel, but it has once again been anchored by a strong offensive line and a detailed scheme that has Mizzou on pace to set the all-time FBS record for tackles for loss allowed in a season. After setting the lowest mark since the NCAA began tracking the stat with a 2.92 clip in 2016, Mizzou is better than that pace this season, allowing just 2.78 per game (25 total) as it is again leads the nation.
Heupel and Mizzou return to Memorial Stadium and Faurot Field for one final game in 2017, taking on Tennessee at 6:30 p.m. this Saturday. The game will air on SEC Network. For all the latest on Mizzou Football, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team Twitter (@MizzouFootball), and like the team on Facebook and Instagram (Mizzou Football).
