Column: Defense shines
Oct. 23, 2007
A disappointing loss to Oklahoma couldn't keep the No. 15 Tigers down against the No. 22 Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday when the Tigers came out inspired for this year's Homecoming game.
The Tigers beat the Red Raiders 41-10 in front of 63,396 spectators, improving their record to 55-36-5 all-time on Homecoming. Missouri fans met the players with just as much energy as the players exerted, smothering Faurot Field with gold, spirit and support.
The one sided-game was a surprise to many, as experts predicted a shoot-out between the powerful Tigers offense and the nation's best passing unit in Texas Tech. Entering Saturday, Texas Tech averaged exactly 50 points a game, a statistic not far from the minds of Missouri players and coaches.
The defensive performance was fitting, as a very special alumnus was in attendance: Roger Wehrli, the newly enshrined National Football League Hall of Fame cornerback and Homecoming Grand Marshal.
Although an underrated Tiger defense played beyond all expectations, the offense could never start their engines. Throughout the first third of the game, the Tigers only managed to reach the Texas Tech red zone once, which ended with a Chase Daniel interception and a Red Raider score on the ensuing possession.
It appeared to be déjà vu for Missouri, for just as they had in last week's loss to Oklahoma, the Tigers allowed turnovers to taint numerous opportunities and give the opposition a fighting chance.
But while the offense faltered the defense prospered. On Texas Tech's first possession, the Tigers held Texas Tech deep in their own territory until Tiger junior defensive end Stryker Sulak intercepted a tipped pass from junior Red Raider quarterback Graham Harrell and took it for a 38-yard touchdown.
The defense proved to be only getting started, denying Texas Tech all game long. Through the first four Texas Tech possessions, Missouri forced an interception, a missed field goal attempt and two turnovers on downs, including a tremendous sack on fourth down by senior defensive lineman Lorenzo Williams.
As the second half began, the Tiger offense became rejuvenated, and through a series of runs and a 52-yard second scoring drive, ending with a 57-yard strike to freshman wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, Missouri began to accumulate an insurmountable lead.
But despite the improvement on offense, the Missouri defense refused to be outshined on Saturday. The defense added two more interceptions, raising the game total to four, and caused four Red Raider turnovers on downs.
The highlight of the game came with a blitz from five merciless Missouri defenders, sacking Harrell for a loss of 13 yards on 3rd and 30.
The defense had accomplished what many assumed to be only a fool's dream. They held the powerful Texas Tech offense to a mystifying 40 points below the its average while forcing one of the nation's elite quarterbacks to a modest game.
"The whole defense emotionally raised their level," coach Gary Pinkel said. "We are getting better and I think that for anyone who has followed us over the last three weeks, we have proven (ourselves) as a defensive football team and as a total team."
bmm34c@mizzou.edu
More Oct. 23, 2007 Sports Stories
- Defense shines — A disappointing loss to Oklahoma couldn't keep the No. 15 Tigers down against the No. 22 Texas Tech Red Raiders ...
- MU volleyball falls to Texas — Saturday night brought back some memories for the MU volleyball team. The Tigers had the Hearnes Center crowd on its ...
- Rugby team still undefeated with help from backs captain — The men's rugby team has maintained its undefeated record this season with help from backs captain Scott Smith. Smith is ...
- Running backs surprise against Tech — For those who said No. 15 Missouri is a one-dimensional team too reliant on junior quarterback Chase Daniel, the Tigers ...
- Senior Ailes doesn't stop chopping, boosts team morale — It's Tatum Ailes' year, and she knows it. The senior libero, Missouri volleyball's all-time digs per game leader, has been ...
Most recent Sports Stories
- Cowboys rein in Tigers' winning streak — This was the clip they were going to play right before senior quarterback Chase Daniel accepted the Heisman Trophy. Sixty-five ...
- No. 2 Nebraska sweeps Tigers — The tough weekend in Missouri sports continued Sunday afternoon as the women’s volleyball team dropped three straight sets to the ...
- Coffman has career game in Tiger loss — Coffman had more than 100 yards, but said he could have done more.
- Oklahoma State will test Missouri's defense — The team said Oklahoma State will bring top-notch playmakers.
- Offense allows punter Jake Harry extra time off — Teammates joke that punter Jake Harry is the most tired player after each game.