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Black and Gold game lets players shine

Ten of 11 defensive starters from 2007 will return this year.

By Sam Wilson
April 22, 2008

Senior tailback Jimmy Jackson avoids a tackle in a 15-yard rush during the first half of the Black and Gold inter-squad scrimmage Saturday afternoon on Faurot Field. Jackson helped the Black squad defeat the Gold squad 71-28 in front of a record-setting 26,322 fans.

Photo/Nick Forrester

Senior tailback Jimmy Jackson avoids a tackle in a 15-yard rush during the first half of the Black and Gold inter-squad scrimmage Saturday afternoon on Faurot Field. Jackson helped the Black squad defeat the Gold squad 71-28 in front of a record-setting 26,322 fans.

The Missouri defense returns 10 starters from last season’s Cotton Bowl championship team.

This includes all four starters in the secondary. But after Saturday’s Black and Gold game, don’t expect to see only four players get playing time in the secondary this season.

“That’s the key,” coach Gary Pinkel said. “Can you get those younger players, backup players, in position that they’re ready to play? Some have proven that they are.”

Senior Tremane Vaughns is listed as a second-string cornerback on the team’s depth chart.

Senior Castine Bridges and sophomore Carl Gettis are currently the starters. Vaughns played in all 14 games last season, mostly on special teams, and is looking to have a bigger role on the team this season, one that includes more of a leadership position.

“Both vocally and by example,” Vaughns said. “Me being a senior, I have to step up and teach some of the younger guys.”

Vaughns earned the award for most improved at the cornerback position after his work this spring.

“He proved that he can play at the next level,” sophomore wide receiver Jeremy Maclin said. “Hopefully he can help us out this season.”

Since transferring from Pasadena City College in California, Vaughns said he has gotten particularly close to the other cornerbacks on the team in his year at Missouri.

“We talk to each other, hang out a lot, clown a lot,” Vaughns said. “We’re like brothers in there.”

Senior free safety William Moore, a Rivals.com first-team All-American, did not play in Saturday’s Black and Gold game.

Moore had surgery for a torn labrum following last season and sat out the spring. Junior Del Howard saw some action at free safety in Moore’s place.

“We know William Moore is going to be back and he’s going to be ready to play,” junior linebacker Sean Weatherspoon said. “But Del is still going to be right there, getting some reps.”

Howard had one tackle in the Black and Gold game.

Howard wasn’t the only free safety to see action in Moore’s stead in the Black and Gold game.

Junior Hardy Ricks saw some time at the position, logging the day’s only interception.

“Hardy is going to just compete,” Pinkel said. “Like anybody, if you show us you can play, you’re going to get on the field.”

Weatherspoon said he feels confident no matter who is playing behind him in the secondary.

“You got a lot of guys that can just step on the field at any time and take over the game,” Weatherspoon said. “You got guys like (sophomore) Kevin Rutland, he’s stepping up. He’s really excited about this year. You’ve got Tremane Vaughns, he’s stepping up. Even though he’s real short and real small, he’s still making big plays.”

Vaughns is listed at 5-9, 170 pounds.

He said even with all the returning defenders, he still feels the team will be known as offensive-oriented.

“That’s what we’re known for,” Vaughns said. “Putting up touchdowns. That’s what people want to see, touchdowns. But on defense, we’re coming on pretty strong. Everybody knows a lot of players on the defense now. I think we’re pretty strong.”

Despite his ascent to second on the depth chart and his award, Vaughns doesn’t feel like playing time is a foregone conclusion.

“We have a pretty good competition out there at cornerback,” he said. “That award could have went to any one of us.”