Bryant, Ground Game Shine in @MizzouFootball Spring Game
4/13/2019 4:43:00 PM | Football
Senior QB Kelly Bryant shines in front of Mizzou’s fans, going 12-for-17 for 150 yards
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Football completed its spring training period with Saturday's Spring Game as Team Black earned a 21-3 win over Team Gold at Memorial Stadium. Team Black posted 236 yards of total offense with the starters in during the first half. The Black Team defense, comprised of starters, was stout as well, limiting the gold squad to 92 total yards of offense on 33 plays (2.8 average).
Team Black, comprised of Mizzou's starters, marched right down the field on the opening possession, capping a six-play, 75-yard drive with a four-yard TD run by RB Larry Rountree III. QB Kelly Bryant found WR Dominic Gicinto for a 36-yard strike to set up Mizzou inside the 10 yard line to set up the score. Bryant, during his first drive in front of fans as the starting Mizzou QB, went 3-for-3 for 53 yards, including the long pass to Gicinto to set up the score.
Bryant completed his first eight passes of the game and finished completing 12-for-17 passes for 150 yards in his debut at Memorial Stadium. The 1-2 running back punch of Rountree and Tyler Badie ran for a combined 99 yards and two scores on 21 carries (4.7 average).
Team Black, despite resting regulars like Bryant and Rountree in the second half, put up 433 total yards of offense on 73 total plays (5.9 average).
?? The Highlights - 2019 #Mizzou Spring Game pic.twitter.com/iM51bjX9FN
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) April 14, 2019
?? "It was great going out there and seeing all of our fans" - @LRountreeIII pic.twitter.com/RfPclHGH6v
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) April 14, 2019
TOP PERFORMERS
- Senior QB Kelly Bryant: 11-for-17, 150 yards, three carries for eight yards
- Junior RB Larry Rountree III: Nine carries, 53 yards, TD
- Sophomore RB Tyler Badie: 13 carries, 46 yards, TD
- RS Sophomore WR Barrett Banister: Eight catches, 73 yards
- Senior WR Jonathan Nance: Three catches, 48 yards
- Senior S Ronnell Perkins: Three tackles, one PBU
- RS Junior DT Jordan Elliott: One sack
- Sophomore LB Jamal Brooks: Two tackles, one PBU
QUOTES
Senior QB Kelly Bryant
Thoughts on playing in front of Mizzou's fans for the first time...
"It was surreal. Especially with a good turn-out from the fans for the Spring Game. Everything was good. It was a good competitive game on both sides of the ball. It was a great way to close out the spring."
On coming in and learning how to lead the team...
"Head down and go to work and try to lead by example, don't try to force anything – don't try and force being a leader. Just having to work your way towards being a leader. That's been my mindset since I got here. All the guys have been so good helping me, the new guys as well. It's been a good transition, now we get ready to head into summer workouts and head into fall camp."
On the chemistry he built this spring with his receivers and tight ends...
???????"Those guys work hard. They are high-energy guys. That's what Coach Dooley was telling me – you'll fit in well with those guys, you're a high energy guy as well. They are going to go as far as you go. Being around those guys brings the best out of me as well."
His expectations for the upcoming season...
"The ceiling is high for this group. We've had a bunch of guys who have been out. I'm looking forward to getting those guys back and just getting that chemistry with those guys in the summer. So like I said, the ceiling is high, but we just have to take it one day at a time. Don't try to look forward to the season and focus on the right-now and what's going on right now."
UP NEXT
Mizzou Football will officially open the season on Aug. 31 at Wyoming. The home opener at Memorial Stadium will be Sept. 7 against West Virginia. Season tickets are on sale now at MUTigers.com/FBTix or by calling the Mizzou ticket office at 1-800-CAT-PAWS.
For all the latest on Mizzou Football, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on social media (@MizzouFootball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook).
