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Missouri’s depth chart for the South Carolina game looks markedly different than it did one week ago.
#Mizzou's depth chart for Game No. 5 – at South Carolina. pic.twitter.com/ykAdrpEO8K
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) September 22, 2014
Entering this season, it seemed like Missouri’s depth was its biggest weakness.
Last year’s team had Markus Golden and Shane Ray as backup defensive ends, Marcus Murphy as the third running back and Jimmie Hunt and Bud Sasser as fourth and fifth options at receiver (at best).
This year’s depth is getting tested in a major way. Left guard Anthony Gatti tore his ACL against Indiana and is out for the season, as the offensive line will attempt to recover from a disastrous effort with Brad McNulty taking his place.
Golden (hamstring) did not play against the Hoosiers, and though Ray had a nice game, IU slid protection his way and made the Mizzou pass rush look more pedestrian. Golden isn’t listed on this week’s injury report, but after tweaking it Wednesday in practice, is day-to-day.
RB Morgan Steward (hip) seems like a lost cause for 2014 at this point, and the SEC Network broadcast reported that Russell Hansbrough played with a strained groin against IU.
WR Darius White also has been ruled out for Saturday’s game against South Carolina after gamely playing through some sort of leg (hamstring?) issue that left him gimpy much of the second half. So redshirt junior Wesley Leftwich will start for White at the “Z” receiver spot.
Mizzou has shuffled its offensive line, moving Connor McGovern from right tackle to right guard, where he started last season, demoting Mitch Hall and elevating Taylor Chappell to starting right tackle.
The team also moved Kenya Dennis into the starting cornerback spot opposite Aarion Penton in a move that seemed inevitable, moving John Gibson to backup. Gibson actually led the cornerbacks in snaps Saturday with 65, ahead of Penton (55), Dennis (42) and David Johnson (4), according to the Columbia Tribune.
Interior of MU OL had issues with Indiana and struggled at times each week. Explains why McGovern back to guard. Played well there last year
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) September 22, 2014
New O-line is LT Morse, LG McNulty, C Boehm, RG McGovern, RT Chappell.
— Tod Palmer (@todpalmer) September 22, 2014
So, to recap: #Mizzou has a new starter at LG, RG, RT, Z WR (Injury) & CB following their loss to Indiana. Lotta changes.
— Brandon Kiley (@BKSportsTalk) September 22, 2014
Missouri (3-1) has yet to play an SEC game, but the outlook is much different after a poor loss, several injuries and a game as a road underdog against South Carolina days away.
Getting Golden back is critical, and replacing White shouldn’t be too bad. But the team absolutely most solve its issues along the offensive line or else it could find itself on the wrong side of .500 by mid-October.
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
