Latest entries in Live Blog: Missouri vs. Buffalo
Live updates from the Sept. 20 Missouri football game against the Buffalo Bulls.
Sept. 20, 2008
MU should win sloppy game
This concludes the live coverage from Farout Field as the Tigers lead 42-21 with just under five minutes remaining in the game. Be sure to check out themaneater.com for complete coverage of the game later in the day.
Tigers start to pull away
The Missouri offense has looked much more like itself on the past two drives. They have scored a touchdown on each possession and opened up a 40-21 advantage. Coffman scored the most recent touchdown by making a quick snag in the back of the endzone. Chase Daniel is 34 of 38 on the day for a career-high 432 yards. Daniel also set a Big 12 record by completing 20 consecutive passes. The previous record was 18.
Maclin joins the fumble club
Everything seemed to be going according to plan out of half time. The Tigers came out and scored easily, the defense was fired up and forced a Buffalo turnover, and then Maclin fumbles in the red zone. Maclin is the third Tiger to fumble to ball today.
The Bulls nearly scooped it and scored but Daniel made a touchdown saving tackle on the sideline. His effort didn't make much of a difference as Buffalo went on to score on the ensuing drive anyways. Buffalo now trails 27-21.
Tigers come out roaring
Daniel has set another Missouri passing record. He has now completed 17 consecutive passes, breaking the previous record of 15. Daniel's latest completion was a 27 yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Danario Alexander. The reception was Alexander's first touchdown of the season.
The Tigers took the first drive of the half 70 yards in seven plays for the score.
Fumbles plague the Tigers
Missouri fumbled the ball twice in a row late in the second quarter. Senior tight end Chase Coffman coughed the ball up the first time and then junior wide receiver Jared Perry fumbled in the red zone. Mistakes are what it takes to allow a team like Buffalo to stay in the game, and the Tigers are currently giving them every opportunity.
Missouri opened the lead up slightly with a 48 yard field goal to end the half. The Tigers now lead 20-14.
Penalty leads to Buffalo TD
Buffalo is now once again within three points of Missouri. The drive should have been over, but on the Bull's punt a roughing the kicker penalty was called. There was definite contact with the punter, but the Missouri player was clearly blocked into him.
The questionable penalty gave Buffalo a second chance, which they did not take for granted. Willy connected with Jackson deep for a touchdown to put Buffalo right back into the game.
Maclin soars into endzone
An incredible streak has ended for the Tigers. For fifteen straight drives Chase Daniel and the first-string offense have put points on the board. The last time junior punter Jake Harry was called in while the first-string was still playing was in week one against Illinois. Harry made the most of his opportunity and floated a punt that was downed on Buffalo's two yard line.
Buffalo punter Peter Fardon countered by shanking a 16 yard punt that put the Tigers in terrific field position. Jeremy Maclin took advantage of the short field and leaped into the endzone on a jet sweep to the right. Washington made the play work with a key block down field.
Bulls return kickoff
Senior wide receiver Earnest Jackson just returned his first ever kickoff for a touchdown. He took the kick 97 yards into the endzone. This brings Buffalo within three as senior kicker Jeff Wolfert made a 26 yard field goal on the Tiger's last drive.
Washington sneaks in as QB
Buffalo's early game plan was clear— try to beat Missouri deep, but the Tiger defense came out flying. The Bulls went three-and-out on their first drive. Senior defensive tackle Ziggy Hood sacked quarterback Drew Willy on third down for a seven yard loss.
The momentum was quickly put into Missouri's hands, and they took advantage of it. The Tigers drove down the field with ease and sophomore tailback Derrick Washington got into the endzone on a quarterback sneak. Trickery is nothing new for the Tigers as they scored on a fake field goal last week.
Tigers conclude non-conference schedule vs. Buffalo
Missouri's first-ever meeting with Buffalo will pose a battle between the men in the backfield.
Senior Buffalo quarterback Drew Willy earned praise after Buffalo's dominant performance against Texas-El Paso in week one. Willy averaged 214 yards passing last year, yet Buffalo still finished the year 5-7. Willy's passing yards have increased significantly since 2005 when he began his college career, and ESPN now projects him to throw 2,652 yards this year.
With a 2-1 record under his belt, the Tigers will have to keep Willy's confidence in check so it does not pose a threat to a shaky Missouri secondary.
