Tigers win at K-State

MU now controls its own destiny toward reaching the national championship game.

By Mike Bushnell

Published Nov. 20, 2007

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Leading the Kansas State Wildcats just 21-18 at halftime, No. 5 Missouri went to the locker room in danger of becoming yet another top-ranked team to be upset this season. But senior defensive tackle Lorenzo Williams said another member of his defense wouldn't let that happen.

"We went into the locker room, and (sophomore linebacker) Sean Weatherspoon stood up," he said. "He said we worked so hard to silence all the critics and get as far as we have, that we can't let it slip now."

And the Tigers did rebound, scoring a touchdown in the first minute of the third quarter and never looked back in what became a 49-32 win.

Junior quarterback Chase Daniel led Missouri (10-1, 6-1 Big 12) by going 28 for 41 for 284 yards and four touchdowns. He rarely made any poor throws and had no interceptions, helping his chances of winning the Heisman Trophy.

"When you look at how consistently well Chase plays from week to week, it's really astonishing and incredible," coach Gary Pinkel said.

But the Tigers, who notched their first win at what is now called Bill Snyder Family Stadium since 1989, also got off on the right foot. Senior safety William Moore intercepted a pass from K-State's sophomore quarterback Josh Freeman in the first minute of the game, his sixth of the season. Moore, who intercepted the pass on the run at the Wildcats' 37-yard line, was looking to run the ball into the end zone, but was tackled by Freeman at the 15.

"I was thinking end zone for sure," Moore said. "Freeman was a little faster than I thought, and he beat me to the outside."

But the Tigers would score 10 seconds later on an 8-yard pass from Daniel to freshman wide receiver Jeremy Maclin. That was his first of three touchdowns, including a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. The return for a touchdown was MU's first since Reggie Doby had one in 1982. It came after a string of 987 kickoffs, the longest drought in NCAA History.

"It's nice to just be able to spring one," Maclin said. "I was talking to (junior cornerback) Castine Bridges before the kickoff, and I said 'Get me a block, and I can take this one back.' I guess it worked out."

But K-State hung around, getting a 66-yard touchdown run from senior running back James Johnson, who finished the game with 172 yards on 22 carries.

"That run hurt us bad," Weatherspoon said. "To let up all those rush yards really could have hurt us a lot more."

Then the Wildcats took a 15-14 lead when they blocked a punt by MU senior Adam Crossett and returned by junior wide receiver Ernie Pierce for a touchdown.

"I've got to start punting better," Crossett said. "But it was a team effort on the block. I didn't get any protection. We've all got to address what's going on and what's wrong."

Yet the Tigers regained the lead by halftime, and then didn't let up. Senior tailback Tony Temple had a strong second half, ending with 16 carries for 75 yards and two touchdowns.

"Tony means so much to us," Daniel said. "When Tony runs well, you know it's going to be a good day."

And Daniel had some interesting plays as well. Facing fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line, Daniel stood up in the pocket, jumped up and threw a floater to senior tight end Martin Rucker for a touchdown. It was reminiscent of the signature play of Daniel's Heisman rival, Florida sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow.

"We were in the shower after the game and Chase looked at me and said 'Tebow!'" Rucker said. "But to me, Chase doesn't look like Tebow. Tim Tebow looks a lot like Chase Daniel."

Either way, the Tigers are now in rarified air. They control their own destiny to the national championship game in New Orleans with a critical game against now-No. 2 Kansas on Saturday in Kansas City, Mo.

"With Oregon losing, we know we control our own destiny, which to be honest, is more than anything I ever expected," freshman cornerback Carl Gettis said. "It's just an exciting time to be a Tiger."