Live Blog: Missouri vs. SEMO — September 6, 2008
Southeast Missouri State Preview
After passing for a career-high 387 yards and three touchdowns against Southwest Baptist, senior quarterback Houston Lillard, the Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week, will bring confidence onto Faurot Field on Saturday.
The Redhawks' 35-28 overtime victory last week gave them an opportunity to showcase the conference's Defensive Player of the Week, junior cornerback Eddie Calvin, who had a career-high three interceptions in the first half alone.
Both the Tigers and Redhawks will enter Saturday 1-0, but SEMO's proud performance against unranked Southwest Baptist might mean nothing on the turf of No. 6 Missouri.
Missouri takes early lead
The Tiger defense came out fierce by forcing the Redhawks to go three and out on their opening drive.
Senior quarterback Chase Daniel then led Missouri on a seven play drive for 70 yards and a touchdown. Senior tight end Chase Coffman caught two passes for 38 yards and completed one of his trademark hurdles over a Redhawk defender during the series.
Sophomore tailback Derrick Washington put the Tigers ahead with a five yard touchdown run up the middle.
Maclin extends Tiger's advantage
This time it was sophomore Jeremy Maclin who came out of the backfield and took the ball to the end zone for the Tigers. Maclin took a pitch from Daniel three yards in for a touchdown.
Senior wide receiver Tommy Saunders had the biggest play of the drive by taking a short swing pass down the sideline for 26 yards. Daniel is now 6 of 7 on the day with 102 yards on just two drives.
Hood blocks SEMO field goal attempt, offense scores quickly
Despite a methodical and time consuming drive by the Redhawks, senior defensive tackle Ziggy Hood's big paw put it to a sudden end. Hood blocked SEMO's field goal on their first trip in the red zone.
The Tigers quickly took advantage of the turnover and scored on a gadget play. Maclin received the snap and passed the ball backwards to Daniel who was lined up at wide receiver. Daniel then found Washington across the field in the end zone for a score. The connection was for 28 yards.
Perry takes screen to the house
It now looks like the Missouri starters won't have too long of a day. The Tigers have a 28 point advantage with over 12 minutes remaining in the second quarter. Look for the backups to start the second half if Missouri keeps playing they way they are.
Daniel ended the last drive with a 28 yard screen pass to junior wide receiver Jared Perry. Perry caught the pass over the middle and used his speed to bounce it to the outside and sneak in for a touchdown.
Daniel now has 222 yards passing and three touchdowns.
Weatherspoon picks one for six
Junior linebacker Sean Weatherspon intercepted his third pass of the season and scored his second touchdown. Weatherspoon returned this one 67 yards to give Missouri a 35-0 lead.
Last week Weatherspoon picked off two passes late in the game to ensure a victory against Illinois. He is the first MU player ever to return an interception for a touchdown in back-to-back games.
Washington strikes again
With just under nine minutes remaining in the half, Missouri now leads 42-0. The Tigers may have had a tougher time beating Rock Bridge High School this week.
Washington keeps adding to his tremendous numbers by recording another touchdown. This time the score came off a five yard carry. Washington has 110 total yards and three total touchdowns.
Tigers hammer SEMO in first half
The numbers for Missouri in the first half are simply ridiculous. The offense has 368 yards thanks to Daniel going 16 of 17 for 244 yards and three touchdowns. His quarterback rating was 273. Washington has 110 total yards and three total touchdowns. As a whole, the offense has only faced two third downs all game. Eight different Missouri receivers have caught the ball. Perry has had the biggest day from the receiving core with three catches for 60 yards and a touchdown. SEMO missed their second field goal of the night to conclude the half. This time a 28-yarder went wide for Doug Spada. The Tigers still lead 42-0.
Blaine Gabbert hits the field for the first time
True freshman Blaine Gabbert started the second half for Missouri. This means that the Tigers will officially take off his redshirt, so he will most likely only have four years of eligibility. The young quarterback will be able to gain valuable experience this season by filling in for Daniel when the Tigers have large leads. Gabbert was two of three on his first series for 20 yards.
Missouri beats SEMO 52-3
Missouri moved to 2-0 Saturday with a 52-3 win over Southeast Missouri State University. Senior quarterback Chase Daniel was 16 for 17 passing with three touchdowns. Three quarterbacks played for MU, including redshirt freshman Blaine Gabbert. Gabbert was 3 for 8 passing for 27 yards.