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The Missouri Tigers took the field on Saturday for their first scrimmage of the spring. With a host of offensive weapons departed from last season and a new defensive coordinator in place, there’s plenty we don’t know about the back-to-back SEC East champions.
Let’s run down what came out of Saturday’s scrimmage.
Maty Mauk is still Maty Mauk
Missouri’s rising junior quarterback is dealing with some injuries — one to his shoulder, the other to his left ankle suffered in the scrimmage — but, as he told the media after the scrimmage, they are “no excuse.” According to reports from practice, Mauk was inaccurate and turnover prone on Saturday, as were his backups Eddie Printz and Marvin Zanders.
https://twitter.com/DavidCMorrison/status/584399153033125889
Mauk's official numbers: 12 of 22, 87 yards, two INTs
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) April 4, 2015
Mauk twisted his ankle when he went down on a scramble. Throughout his two years, Mauk has had a propensity to leave the pocket when he feels any pressure, and that he was hurt on a scramble could be an indication that he hasn’t shaken that habit yet. The gamer he is, Mauk went back into the scrimmage after getting re-taped, despite walking gingerly on the sidelines. However, his inaccuracy and decision making are cause for concern.
The receivers have catching up to do
Missouri loses three senior receivers from last year’s team, plus pass-catching running back Marcus Murphy. The Tigers will turn to a host of young and inexperience players to replace them. Saturday wasn’t exactly a banner day for those pass catchers.
Been a rough scrummage for Mizzou offense. Cornerbacks have shown better hands than receivers.
— Joe Walljasper (@JoeWalljasper) April 4, 2015
Mauk and top cornerback Aarion Penton both commented on the rough day for the receivers after the scrimmage.
https://twitter.com/DavidCMorrison/status/584408076477829121
https://twitter.com/DavidCMorrison/status/584403687847563265
Of course, expected No. 1 receiver Nate Brown is still sidelined by a knee injury, while tight end Sean Culkin is out with a shoulder injury, so the receiving corps will get a boost when those two return to the lineup at full strength.
https://twitter.com/DavidCMorrison/status/584412714857967616
Russell Hansbrough is the man in the backfield
We’ve known that Hansbrough is going to be the top guy lining up in the backfield. He showed what he’s got in the scrimmage, busting out one of the longest plays of the day for the offense.
https://twitter.com/DavidCMorrison/status/584373497205428224
Hansbrough will be counted on even more going forward, as redshirt freshman Trevon Walters has a torn ACL that will require surgery. He will miss the rest of spring, but Gary Pinkel was optimistic about his return.
https://twitter.com/DavidCMorrison/status/584394132665151488
Forcing turnovers won’t stop under Dave Odom
One of the staples of Dave Steckel’s defenses was a penchant for forcing turnovers; the Tigers recorded 57 takeaways the last two seasons. In this scrimmage alone, the defense recorded seven total interceptions. Some came on poorly throw balls, but others — like a diving grab from Shaun Rupert and sideline snare by Trei Walton, as well as two picks from Penton, showed that the secondary is going to be a ballhawking unit this fall.
The defensive front will be versatile
Odom’s first scrimmage at the helm of the defense showed a few new wrinkles.
Charles Harris just dropped into coverage! And Aarion Penton gets the pick!
— Brandon Kiley (@BKSportsTalk) April 4, 2015
Charles Harris with a pick six on a goal line stand. The defensive line pressure you've grown to love on full display. -Matt #Mizzou
— KTGR Big Show (@KTGRBigShow) April 4, 2015
On this series I've seen both Charles Harris & Harold Brantley drop into coverage, and an all-out blitz twice. Defense is getting creative.
— Brandon Kiley (@BKSportsTalk) April 4, 2015
Coming off two straight defensive ends winning SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Odom and defensive line coach Dave Kuligowski appear to be doing their part to keep their defensive line ferocious. While they tried out dropping defensive linemen into coverage and trying out some formations that included defensive ends starting out in a standing position, the Tigers still did what they do best: harass quarterbacks.
https://twitter.com/DavidCMorrison/status/584413481127936000
The offensive line is in flux
While the Tigers only have to replace one departed offensive lineman, left tackle Mitch Morse, they’re trying out several different alignments this spring.
https://twitter.com/DavidCMorrison/status/584372367138295808
Printz taking some snaps w/ the no. 1 offense.
O-Line (L to R): Chappell-Hall-Boehm-McGovern-Crawford
WRs: Laurent, Leftwich, Reese, Moore— Brandon Kiley (@BKSportsTalk) April 4, 2015
The Tigers will be experienced up front, with all four returning starters as seniors, but as of now it seems like Evan Boehm at center is the only surefire spot locked down.
A former freelance journalist from Philadelphia, Brett has made the trek down to SEC country to cover the greatest conference in college football.
