Live Blog: Missouri vs. Oklahoma State — October 11, 2008
Maneater's Friday football coverage
Senior quarterback Chase Daniel and Missouri could end up in an offensive shootout with Oklahoma State this Saturday at Faurot Field. The Tigers and Cowboys both come into the game undefeated, sporting two of the nation's most prolific offenses.
Check out The Maneater's coverage of the football team from Friday's issue:
Senior Staff Writer Nick Forrester previews what should be a high-scoring affair, and Sports Editor Lenny Goldman interviews Jake Harry, the Missouri punter who, because of the Tiger's powerhouse offense, doesn't see the field too often.
Tigers sporting the black and gold
It's about 25 minutes to kickoff and the No. 3 Missouri Tigers are prepping for their shot to move up in the national rankings. After No. 5 Texas upset No. 1 Oklahoma earlier this afternoon, the Tigers have a shot to climb up the polls.
Tonight Missouri is wearing its black tops with gold pants, the uniform traditionally saved for the biggest game of the year. But with the Big 12 as dominant at it is, every conference game truly matters.
Oklahoma State runs a spread offense similar to MU's, but with a heavier emphasis on the run. They are second in the nation in rushing with 315 yards per game on the ground.
Special teams should also be explosive tonight with sophomore wide receiver Jeremy Maclin returning kicks for the Tigers and the speedy Dez Bryant doing the job for the Cowboys.
The Tigers must keep their minds on tonight's matchup and not think ahead to next week's huge game against Texas in Austin. If Missouri doesn't let the pressure get to them, they have the firepower to come out on top tonight.
Game notes: Senior quarterback Chase Daniel is wearing No. 25 tonight to honor former teammate Aaron O'Neal.
Tigers settle for FG
It seems like the Tigers really want to keep their lack of three-and-out streak going. They faced a third and five on the opening driving when senior tight end Chase Coffman made a nifty one-handed catch while falling out of bounds. There was a pass interference flag on the play, too, which would have kept the streak alive anyways. It looks like MU saw something in the film that said Daniel would have success running the ball. He's had two long carries on the first drive for 32 yards. Despite Daniel's early success on the ground sophomore tailback Derrick Washington has gone backwards on all of his carries. Missouri had to settle for three on their opening drive after not being able to convert a third and one on the one. Derrick Washington took a direct snap back up the middle but couldn't gain a yard...still. He has -6 so far. Senior kick Jeff Wolfert drained a 18 yard chip shot to give the Tigers the lead.
Tigers surrender the lead
Oklahoma State has clearly watched their share of Missouri game tape because they are attacking the Tiger's secondary hard. The Cowboys called a majority passing plays early. On the fifth play, they tried to hit Dez Bryant deep and he was absolutely clocked by senior safety Justin Garrett. Bryant was able to walk off the field after remaining motionless for about two minutes. He then returned to the game after only missing a few plays.
The Cowboys tore through the Missouri defense on their first drive. They went 13 plays for 71 yards in four minutes and 19 seconds. Quarterback Zac Robinson scored on a six yard run.
As of now, the Tigers have only trailed for 13 seconds this season and that was against Illinois in week one. It looks like they'll be playing catch up for a bit more time today.
Misouri goes three-and-out
Missouri's first-string offense has now gone three-and-out for the first time all season. Daniel and company went nowhere on their second drive and a strange note followed. Kicker Jeff Wolfert came in to punt because he can kick with either foot, and they are rolling out on punts to try and slow down Bryant. Missouri looks extremely shaky so far as Ok State continues to move the ball with ease.
MU can't take advantage of missed FG
Missouri was able to hold the Cowboys on third down in the red zone. Oklahoma State's kicker then missed an easy 25 yard field goal by shanking it wide left. But again Daniel wasn't able to lead the Tigers to points. He hasn't looked as sharp as he usually does, even missing a wide open target on one pass. While it's completely normal for most quarterbacks to make bad throws, it has become a standard that Daniel is always perfect.
Cowboys risky decision backfires
Oklahoma State made an extremely gutsy call by faking a punt and going for it on fourth and 18. Punter Matt Fodge was shoved out of bounds about four yards shy of the first down after a nice scramble down the sideline. The play call was such a questionable decision especially with the early lead. With terrific field position the Tigers whipped out a few gadget plays and then Washington went to work in the red zone. He pounded the ball for five yards into the endzone to give the lead back to MU.
Wolfert misses two field goals
Despite a solid defensive stop for the Tigers, they couldn't respond with a touchdown and lined up for a 27 yard field goal. This time it was Wolfert's turn to miss one as his kick was blocked and didn't end up anywhere near the goal post. A big late hit penalty put the Cowboys on Missouri's 22 yard line with 16 seconds remaining in the half. Senior defensive end Stryker Sulak quickly put the ball back in Missouri's hands by stripping Robinson and forcing a fumble. Daniel then hit Coffman for a quick pass over the middle with time running out in the half. Coffman jumped up and called a time out, but the Cowboys were running off the field. Daniel seemed to sweet talk the refs into putting one second on the clock, but Wolfert missed his second field goal of the day. His 52 yard attempt was short. While all the hype surrounding this game was about explosive offenses, it was a relatively boring first half as the Tigers lead 10-7.
Oklahoma State sets the tone
The Missouri defense failed to set a new tone for the second half. The Cowboys came out and ran two option plays. The first attempt to the left went for four yards, and the second try to the right went 64 yards for a touchdown. The Tigers now trail 14-10 and are going to be in for another tough half.
Missouri remains flat
It's a strange feeling to not feel confident in Chase Daniel. Throughout the entire season so far, there hasn't been a question whether or not he would find open receivers and hit them with a perfectly placed ball. He's been nothing short of automatic. But today is a different story. Daniel is struggling and the entire team looks like they're playing without enthusiasm. It should be interesting to see if and when they can turn things around.
Bridges forces key turnover
With Oklahoma State driving once again, senior cornerback Castine Bridges stepped up and made a huge play. He made an easy interception on a third and long for the Cowboys. Ok State had the ball right around midfield, and if they had been able to score on the drive they would have opened up a comfortable 11 point lead. Daniel has another opportunity to rally his team from behind and regain the lead.
Nothing coming easy for the Tigers
Right now it looks like nothing can go right for Missouri. After a big gain by Maclin, Daniel found junior wide receiver Danario Alexander wide open on a slant route over the middle. The pass went through Alexander's hands, deflected off his helmet and was intercepted. The defense stepped up once again by forcing Ok State to go three and out, and course, the Cowboys had a perfect punt that rolled and stopped on the Missouri five yard line.
Tigers stomp 95 yards
With the defense stepping up twice in a row, the offense couldn't let them down again. Daniel led the Tigers 95 yards on 11 plays, and senior tailback Jimmy Jackson snuck in for a one yard touchdown run. Daniel looked more like his typical self on the drive. He distributed the ball evenly to Maclin, Coffman and senior wide receiver Tommy Saunders. Coffman showed his freakish athleticism on the drive by hurdling and running over defenders. The Tigers now lead 17-14.
Cowboys respond with ease
The Oklahoma State offense didn't miss a beat after watching Daniel and the Tigers drive 95 yards. Robinson led the Cowboys to a touchdown on 4 plays in under two minutes. He hit wide receiver Damian Davis on a 40 yard bomb. There wasn't a Missouri defender within 15 yards of him on the play.
Daniel misses big opportunity
On a third and short at midfield Bryant caught a middle screen, but was stripped by junior linebacker Sean Weatherspoon— Faurot Field exploded. Things went down hill from there. After getting a quick first down Daniel then hit Washington on a sniffed out screen pass for negative 10 yards. On third down Daniel didn't see a wide open Coffman and lobbed the ball down the field to a group of Cowboys. It was an easy pick that was returned into MU territory. The frustration continued as Coffman then committed a 15 yard personal foul after the play.
Cowboys open up lead
On a crucial third down, Robinson stepped up and made the play of the game. After finding no one open quickly he rolled left and had two receivers uncovered in the end zone. He hit Davis once again for a long touchdown that has given the Cowboys a two score advantage. Missouri now trails 28-17 with 6:30 remaining in the game. The upset alert is on.
Tigers keep clawing back
Finally with their backs against the wall the Missouri offense played with a sense of urgency. Daniel led the Tigers 84 yards on nine plays in just one minute and 55 seconds. He hit Alexander on a beautiful seven yard fade pass in the back of the endzone. The Tigers kicked it deep with four minutes and 27 seconds remaining in the game. If the Cowboys can kill the clock, they win. The Tigers want one more chance.
One more shot
Missouri has stopped the Cowboys on the 46 yard line and will have one more opportunity to win the game. The punter shanked his kick and Missouri will get the ball on their own 35 yard line. This could be the biggest drive in Missouri football history. Two minutes 35 seconds to go.
Daniel throws third pick, Tigers lose
With pressure in his face Daniel rolled out to the right and threw a low ball that was cut off by a cowboy defender and intercepted. The play was reviewed and replays confirmed that the ball was in fact picked off. The Cowboys will simply take a few knees and go home with a victory.