Each week, we'll get five quick thoughts up on Missouri's game prior to getting you all the photos, video, quotes etc. Here are today's.
1. The defense was dominant. And, yes, it should be. It's SEMO. That said, 16 tackles and a blocked punt by Kentrell Brothers are good no matter who you're playing. There were 64 total plays for SEMO's offense. Kentrell Brothers made the tackle, or at least assisted on the tackle, on 25% of them. There are 10 other guys out there trying to make tackles too. Brothers was fantastic.
2. You can't ignore what Drew Lock has done. I'm not calling for him to start. However, it's pretty apparent at this point in time that he's at least in the discussion as the best quarterback Missouri has on its roster. I don't think Maty Mauk was bad today outside of the one terrible interception. But Lock, for a true freshman, was 6-for-8 for 138 yards with a keep the play alive 78 yard highlight reel TD that completely put the game on ice. The kid can do the job. What's that mean? It doesn't mean he's your starter or he should be right now, especially as long as Missouri continues to win games. But it does mean if Maty Mauk gets hurt, seriously or just for a few plays, you have a guy who can come in and run the offense.
3. Wasn't too concerned about the receivers before camp, was less concerned after camp and am not even kind of concerned now. J'mon Moore, Nate Brown, Keyon Dilosa, Emanuel Hall and DeSean Blair can make plays. Sean Culkin was involved today. They're fine.
4. Can't say the same about the running backs. I've said for two weeks I think it's the thinnest position on the team. When Russell Hansbrough went out today, I think that was backed up. The other four tailbacks combined for 79 yards on 24 carries. That's 3.2 yards per carry. Against SEMO. Sure, some of it's the line. Some of it's that the backs are a question mark at this point in time. And those saying Abbington needs to play, or Doherty or Williams should shed the redshirt, well, if those guys had been better in fall camp, I'm pretty sure that would have happened today. It didn't.
5. The under the radar good performance came from Corey Fatony. Banged some kickoffs through the end zone, averaged 45.8 yards on six punts and looked perfectly comfortable. Andrew Baggett will go back to doing kickoffs when the Tigers feel his back can handle it, but Fatony's just fine. That's why Missouri used a scholarship on him.
1. The defense was dominant. And, yes, it should be. It's SEMO. That said, 16 tackles and a blocked punt by Kentrell Brothers are good no matter who you're playing. There were 64 total plays for SEMO's offense. Kentrell Brothers made the tackle, or at least assisted on the tackle, on 25% of them. There are 10 other guys out there trying to make tackles too. Brothers was fantastic.
2. You can't ignore what Drew Lock has done. I'm not calling for him to start. However, it's pretty apparent at this point in time that he's at least in the discussion as the best quarterback Missouri has on its roster. I don't think Maty Mauk was bad today outside of the one terrible interception. But Lock, for a true freshman, was 6-for-8 for 138 yards with a keep the play alive 78 yard highlight reel TD that completely put the game on ice. The kid can do the job. What's that mean? It doesn't mean he's your starter or he should be right now, especially as long as Missouri continues to win games. But it does mean if Maty Mauk gets hurt, seriously or just for a few plays, you have a guy who can come in and run the offense.
3. Wasn't too concerned about the receivers before camp, was less concerned after camp and am not even kind of concerned now. J'mon Moore, Nate Brown, Keyon Dilosa, Emanuel Hall and DeSean Blair can make plays. Sean Culkin was involved today. They're fine.
4. Can't say the same about the running backs. I've said for two weeks I think it's the thinnest position on the team. When Russell Hansbrough went out today, I think that was backed up. The other four tailbacks combined for 79 yards on 24 carries. That's 3.2 yards per carry. Against SEMO. Sure, some of it's the line. Some of it's that the backs are a question mark at this point in time. And those saying Abbington needs to play, or Doherty or Williams should shed the redshirt, well, if those guys had been better in fall camp, I'm pretty sure that would have happened today. It didn't.
5. The under the radar good performance came from Corey Fatony. Banged some kickoffs through the end zone, averaged 45.8 yards on six punts and looked perfectly comfortable. Andrew Baggett will go back to doing kickoffs when the Tigers feel his back can handle it, but Fatony's just fine. That's why Missouri used a scholarship on him.
