Tigers roll into Top 25 with win

By Ryan Huber

Published Sept. 18, 2007

The MU campus and Columbia alike were abuzz Saturday afternoon as the Tigers kicked off their 2007 home campaign with a convincing 52-24 victory against the Western Michigan Broncos.

The now No.-25 ranked Tiger squad amassed 619 yards of total offense — the sixth highest output in school history — remarkably with only two throwing touchdowns. Junior quarterback Chase Daniel's usual aerial assault helped the Tigers (3-0) quickly move down the field, but it was the running game and a handful of trick plays that led to the Tigers' first five rushing touchdowns on the season.

"We are winning games," coach Gary Pinkel said. "But as I told my football team, I'm a perfectionist. I look at things that need to improve. What we need to do is just become a more consistent football team."

Daniel led the Tigers to their first touchdown on an opening drive this year with the help of an outstretched catch from redshirt freshman wide receiver Jeremy Maclin. And although Daniel threw for two touchdowns and 328 yards — his sixth consecutive 300+ yard throwing game — he was visibly upset with his performance.

"I'm just mad at how I played just overall," he said. "I didn't play very well at all. Two interceptions, both throws were ignorant on my part. But, hey, what can you do, we won. Our team won. Just have to go back and prepare harder."

The Tiger offense attacked on its ensuing offensive drive as Daniel scrambled out of the pocket and ran 39 yards to the Western Michigan 1-yard line, setting up one of two rushing touchdowns for senior running back Tony Temple.

Throughout the first half, the visiting Broncos seemed to read Daniel well at times, but what Daniel uncharacteristically lacked on the offensive side, the Kirkwood native Maclin made up for in his home debut.

The Big 12 all-purpose yards leader compiled 275 yards, including seven catches for 96 yards, six rushes for 52 yards and two touchdowns. Maclin, sidelined with a torn anterior cruciate ligament last year, said people should not be surprised with his play on the field.

"I put that much effort into rehabbing my knee that I expected to come out and do the things I am doing," he said. "I know what I am capable of, and for me to go out and show it, it feels good on my part. People should just expect it now."

The defensive side never allowed the Broncos to construct a solid drive.

When Western Michigan wasn't being called for one of its nine penalties, senior safety William Moore and junior linebacker Brock Christopher were combining for 21 tackles on the day.

An interception combined with a late rushing touchdown by Columbia native junior quarterback Chase Patton squashed any hope of a Bronco comeback. Facing third and seven, Patton slipped a tackle and cut his way into the end zone for his first career touchdown as a Tiger.

"Honestly I remember the guy peeling out and I had to cut up," Patton said. "Then I was in the end zone. It was just crazy. It was a great opportunity for me to get out there and play."

Pinkel collected his 40th victory as the Tigers' coach, tying him for fourth on the all-time Missouri football coach win list.