Missouri linebackers lead the defense

The Missouri linebackers have returned four interceptions for touchdowns.

By Lenny Goldman

Published Oct. 7, 2008

LINCOLN, Neb. - The morning of Saturday's game against Nebraska, junior linebacker Sean Weatherspoon turned on ESPN when he woke up and didn't like what he saw.

"I was sitting in my room at the Marriott just watching guys like Lee Corso and all the guys on the set of College Gameday saying that we have an Achilles' Heel and that our defense is our Achilles' Heel," Weatherspoon said. "I think today we came out and we tried to focus on shutting up all the naysayers."

While the Tiger's secondary continued to show its inability to shut down the pass, the front seven eliminated the Cornhuskers' run game, which forced them to attack through the air.

"All we're doing is sitting back and hearing, 'Chase Daniel is a great quarterback and the Missouri defense sucks,'" senior linebacker Brock Christopher said. "It puts a chip on our shoulders."

Missouri held Nebraska, which averaged 155 yards on the ground per game coming into Saturday's matchup, to just 79 rushing yards.  

"We try to get the playmakers on the field," senior defensive tackle Ziggy Hood said. "We got Brock, we got Spoon, we got Luke (Lambert) out there running around. If we didn't have those guys I don't know where our defense would be because they bring so much emotion and play making ability out there."

The linebacker core has been making an impact all season. In week one against Illinois, Weatherspoon single handedly prevented a comeback by intercepting two passes in the second half and returning one for a touchdown. Against Buffalo, he recorded 20 tackles, a career high.

"You've got to be excited about what's going on right now in Missouri," Weatherspoon said. "With all the expectations and saying this and saying that we know people got to fly around and make some plays out there."

Saturday was Christopher's turn to make the huge play, as he intercepted his first pass of the season and returned it 17 yards for a touchdown.

"I caught it and I was hoping to get it in," Christopher said. "I got a couple of good blocks. I don't think (Nebraska quarterback Joe Ganz) even saw me. He threw it right to me."

The Missouri linebackers have now returned four interceptions for touchdowns, while only one player in the secondary has a pick.

"Brock got the touchdown so he joined the club," Weatherspoon said. "There's always room in that club. We're looking for Luke now, he's going to be next."

Christopher attributes much of the linebackers' success this season to their relationship off the field.

"It's unbelievable," he said. "We're all real close friends. We all hang out. We're always talking and giving each other tips on the field. Our relationship as teammates is getting a lot better."