Mizzou Morning Matters
9/21/2023 9:09:00 PM | General
Happy Friday, Mizzou fans. Hopefully you've recovered from last weekend and will be ready for more football action Saturday in St. Louis.
As the newest addition to our senior leadership team here at Mizzou Athletics, I'm settling into my new office here at 1 Champions Drive as the Assistant Athletics Director for Communications and Storytelling. What exactly does a storyteller do for an athletics department? I've heard that question a lot the last few weeks. (Yes, Mom and Dad, it's a real job.) We'll explain.
First, though, an introduction. Or, if you've been reading about Mizzou sports for the last couple decades, a re-introduction. I've been circling the Mizzou orbit since my days as a student in the MU School of Journalism in the 1990s and for the last 25 years covered the Tigers for the Columbia Daily Tribune and, most recently, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch since 2013.
Late last month, I entered the transfer portal and left behind a great job to become part of a team that impresses me more and more every day. Why step away from telling stories about Mizzou to tell stories for Mizzou? One, I believe in our leader, athletics director Desireé Reed-Francois. I believe in her vision and the momentum she's created in just two years at Mizzou. I believe in the remarkable team she's put together that puts in countless hours poring over every excruciating detail to give our student-athletes and our fans the best experience possible on game days and every day in between.
As for my role, a lot of my work takes place behind the scenes crafting the message of Mizzou Athletics, but we're also planning some fresh content with our wildly talented creative team to continue doing what I've always done: telling the story of Mizzou athletes and all the interesting people and things that make the state's flagship athletics program unique and special.
Now, here's your part. Starting next week, this column will become a newsletter sent directly to your email inbox every Friday. And it's free! We'll highlight our student-athletes and coaches, preview the week ahead and give our subscribing fans an insider view into Mizzou Athletics.
Subscribe here and come along for the ride.
A nice little Saturday …
For the first time since 2011, Kansas State returned to Columbia for a football game last Saturday — and what a day unfolded for the 62,000-plus on hand. Brady Cook and Luther Burden III were spectacular. The defense came through in the clutch. Coordinators Kirby Moore and Blake Baker unleashed aggressive game plans on the nation's No. 15 team. (Did you really believe Eli Drinkwitz that the full playbook was on display the first two weeks? "Chess not checkers," he quipped Saturday.) With his SEC-record setting game-winner, Harrison Mevis forever reserved his place in the Mizzou Legends Club. No surprise, a standing ovation greeted Mevis for his "Tiger Talk" appearance Tuesday at Bud's Classic BBQ.
I watched the final possessions of the game from the Tigers' sideline near the south end zone, and as soon as the field goal split the uprights and fans flooded Faurot, I wandered onto the field to help our staff sort through the chaos. But here's the memory I'll take away from Saturday: I bumped into about a half dozen former Mizzou players on the field, guys around my age from the 1990s or early 2000s. Some stumbled around in shock. Others were fighting back tears. This was a cathartic moment for the Mizzou faithful, especially those who lived through the Big Eight and Big 12 battles with Kansas State. A win over a historic rival. A win over the Big 12 champions. And a last-second, white-knuckle moment that finally went the Tigers' way.
As fans continued to spill onto Faurot, I crossed paths with special teams analyst Brock Olivo, one of the program's signature players from Mizzou's return to relevancy under the late Larry Smith. I've known Brock since we were students at Mizzou in the 1990s. He penned a beautiful foreword for a Mizzou book I wrote a few years ago. If he's not Mizzou's proudest letterwinner of his generation, then he's tied for first.
Long before he joined Coach Drinkwitz's staff earlier this year, Brock played in two consecutive epic victories his senior season against Oklahoma State and Colorado — but both were on the road. The next week was the infamous Flea Kicker game against Nebraska, followed by the home finale, a win over Baylor that ended with fans swarming the field and toppling the goalposts. That was Olivo's final game at home. On Saturday, more than a quarter century later, Brock, now 47, walked off Faurot with his daughter, Sofia, as fans streamed onto the field. And here's another reason No. 27 is one of the most unique and fascinating people I've ever met in Mizzou sports: With his cheeks caked in sweat and tears, he introduced me to Sofia and conducted THE ENTIRE CONVERSATION IN ITALIAN! — all while fans were going berserk on the field cheering, dancing and chanting around us. Incredible moment for dad and daughter.
(Is it OK to point out Mizzou Football is undefeated since Brock and I came on board? Just saying.)
More Football!
This week's Mini Movie from the Week 3 victory over Kansas State.
Watch Coach Drinkwitz's weekly press conference
Listen to Tuesday's episode of "Tiger Talk" featuring Coach Drinkwitz, offensive line coach Brandon Jones and Mevis.
On the Rise
Mizzou's two golf programs have teed off their seasons with booming starts. First-year coach Glen Millican led the men's program to a share of the Chicago Highlands Invitational title on Tuesday, hunting down No. 13 Virginia and No. 25 Wake Forest on the final stretch as seniors Charlie Crockett and SEC golfer of the week Jack Lundin went birdie, eagle, respectively on No. 18 to secure MU's co-championship. Mizzou led the field of 15 teams with five eagles over the three-round tourney.
No less impressive, Mizzou Women's Golf posted the second-lowest 54-hole team score in program history (843) in a fourth-place finish at last week's Sam Golden Invitational in Denton, Texas. Junior Ffion Tynan, a first-year transfer from an SEC school just south of Missouri, finished seventh overall at 10-under 206, the fourth-lowest tournament score in team history. This week, I chatted with coach Caroline Westrup and sophomore Melanie Walker about the program's sudden rise.
"I just think that our team is really aggressive," Walker said. "We're kind of at a point where it's like, why not us? We're starting to change our thought process. Instead of just being there to compete, we're there to win. That's been an evolution since I've been here, especially under Caroline."
At the program's offseason team retreat, Westrup and assistant coach Cabe Waters played a trivia game with the student-athletes about Mizzou history, sharing with them team records they hope to shatter this season. Next one up: the 54-hole team score of 825, set eight years ago at the Johnie Imes Invitational, Mizzou's annual home tournament.
"We wanted them to hear (about the record) and be aware that we're starting a new era here at Mizzou," Westrup said.
"It's about us now," she added. "I want their names to be on those record-breaking scores. I think they're starting to realize that, too."
Over the summer, Walker qualified for the U.S. Women's Amateur Championship at Bel-Air Country Club and had Westrup serve as her caddy. Walker missed the cut by one stroke but came away with a surge of confidence.
"I felt like I learned how I could compete at that level," Walker said.
Her coach knows the feeling. A former player on the LPGA Tour, Westrup believes the experience could pay off for Walker's development and approach this season.
"I feel like when I got on the Tour for the first time, suddenly you're standing next to Laura Davies or Michelle Wie and it's like you're almost starstruck," she said. "Then you just have to tell yourself, 'I earned my way here as much as they did. Why should I have them go in front of me on the driving range? No. I'm going to take my spot. I'm here and I deserve to be here.'"
As they get set to host their annual home event next week at The Club at Old Hawthorne, the Tigers feel the same way.
In the Community
Off the field and away from the classroom, our student-athletes are deeply involved in the Columbia community. Each week we'll spotlight the work they do to give back to those who need their help. Recently, several Mizzou football players spent time at University Hospital as ambassadors for a local organization called Playing 4 Hope, a local non-profit that provides hope to children hospitalized due to disability, illness or disease. Here's Realus George Jr., Tyler Stephens and Joe Moore III spending time with a patient during their visit on Aug. 29.
Tiger Trivia
Find answers at the end of today's article.
- The Mizzou single-game receiving yard record by a tight end was set against Memphis. Who was it?
- One current Mizzou football player calls Memphis his hometown. Who?
- Which Mizzou football player scored the most points in the St. Louis series against Illinois from 2002-2010?
Matter's Weekly Power Rankings
Each week we'll highlight the best of Mizzou with a different theme. This week: Best Mizzou Football performances at The Dome in St. Louis:
- Brad Smith, 2002 - Maybe the most electric Mizzou debut in team history: 138 yards rushing, 152 yards passing and a TD. A legend was born.
- Jeremy Maclin, 2007 - Maybe the second-most electric Mizzou debut in team history: J-Mac racked up 227 all-purpose yards on just 10 touches via rush, reception and special teams returns, including a TD catch and 66-yard punt return TD.
- Pig Brown, 2007 – One of the most complete Mizzou defensive performances in recent memory: Five tackles, a red-zone interception, blocked PAT and two fumble recoveries, including a 100-yard return for a touchdown.
- Chase Daniel, 2007 – A strong start to a magical season for the Heisman Trophy finalist: 37-of-54 passing for 359 yards and three TDs.
- Sean Weatherspoon, 2008 – A signature game from the three-time All-Big 12 linebacker: Nine tackles, two interceptions, including one returned 35 yards for a TD in a wild 52-42 win.
Just missed the cut: Daniel 2008, Stryker Sulak 2008, Chase Coffman 2008, Maclin 2008, Blaine Gabbert 2009, Danario Alexander 2009, Aldon Smith 2010, T.J. Moe 2010.
Matter's Musings
Props to Associate AD for Marketing & Fan Experience Tony Daniel and his staff for this year's enhanced football in-game entertainment. Who doesn't love a good "Columns Race"? … Soccer's Kylee Simmons is making an early push for All-SEC honors, leading the league in goals and points through the first weekend of conference action … In coach Dawn Sullivan's first season in Columbia, Mizzou Volleyball is one win away from matching last year's total — with 17 matches to go … Former Mizzou All-American Justin Smith has once again been nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Smith split his 14-year career evenly between Cincinnati and San Francisco, posting 43.5 sacks for both the Bengals and 49ers in each seven-year stint. But he became a truly elite player with the Niners, earning five straight Pro Bowl berths, all after turning 30. Among the 10 all-time players Pro-Football-Reference.com rates most closely to Smith's career, four are in Canton — Deacon Jones, Chris Doleman, Jack Youngblood and Howie Long — while two more are nominated this year and three more are still active.
Looking Ahead
Saturday, Sept. 23
• Football vs. Memphis (St. Louis), 6:30 p.m., ESPNU / ESPN+
Sunday, Sept. 24
• Volleyball vs. South Carolina, 3 p.m., SEC Network+
• Soccer vs. Georgia, 6 p.m., SEC Network+
Monday, Sept. 25
• Men's golf at SEC Fall Preview (Birmingham, Ala.)
• Women's golf, Johnie Imes Invitational
Tuesday, Sept. 26
• Men's golf at SEC Fall Preview (Birmingham, Ala.)
• Women's golf, Johnie Imes Invitational
Wednesday, Sept. 27
• Men's golf at SEC Fall Preview (Birmingham, Ala.)
• Women's golf, Johnie Imes Invitational
Thursday, Sept. 28
• Men's & Women's Swimming & Diving, Black and Gold, 10 a.m.
• Soccer vs. Arkansas, 6 p.m., SEC Network
Friday, Sept. 29
• Tennis at Baylor Invite (Waco, Texas)
• Cross Country, Gans Creek Classic, 9 a.m. (M), 9:45 a.m. (W)
• Volleyball at LSU (Baton Rouge, La.), 7 p.m., SEC Network+
Links to Click
Tickets remain available for Saturday's football game against Memphis in St. Louis at The Dome. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. on ESPNU. Buy your tickets here.
Mizzou Tigers v Memphis Tickets Sep 23, 2023 St Louis, MO | Ticketmaster
Group and single-game tickets for Mizzou's remaining home games are on sale now by calling 1-800-CAT-PAWS or buying online. Fans interested in learning more about available seats can fill out an interest form.
For all the latest information on Mizzou Athletics, please visit MUTigers.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Tigers on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Tiger Trivia Answers
- In Mizzou's 65-33 win over Memphis in 2018, Albert Okwuegbunam caught six passes for 159 yards and three touchdowns.
- Defensive tackle Kristian Williams attended Southwind High School in Memphis, Tennessee.
- Kicker Grant Ressel scored 24 points in MU's wins over Illinois in 2009-10; kicker Jeff Wolfert was next with 20 points (2007-08), followed by Maclin (18, 2007-08) and tailback Zack Abron (18, 2002-03).
