Football holds first spring scrimmage

The offense won on the final drive of the practice.

By Lenny Goldman
April 8, 2008

Freshman tailback Derrick Washington is pulled down by sophomore linebacker Jeff Gettys during the first spring scrimmage on Saturday on Faurot Field. Washington will vie to replace senior tailback Tony Temple, who graduates in May.

After nearly three hours of scrimmaging, coach Gary Pinkel had the perfect fairy tale ending as the score was tied and everyone could go home happily ever after.

Apparently senior quarterback Chase Daniel isn’t a fan of fairy tales.

“It was a fun way to end,” Pinkel said. “It ended up an even score and then Chase Daniel is begging me to go ones against ones to see who can win it or lose it. He’s begging me.”

Pinkel gave in. The first-string offense lined up against the first-string defense to determine the winner of the scrimmage.

The offense prevailed thanks to a 41-yard touchdown pass from Daniel to junior wide receiver Jared Perry over the head of senior safety Justin Garrett.

“He didn’t want to have it,” Daniel said referring to Pinkel. “With my slight talking I got to talk him into it. We’re always wanting to compete out there. We can’t end this in a tie. We’ve been out here all day grinding, and it’s good to get a win.”

Daniel looked sharp all day by completing 20-25 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns.

He had plenty of help from Perry who struggled to make much of a name for himself self last season with so much talent in front of him.

“He’s really outstanding,” Pinkel said. “He’s a player that really made some good plays as a freshman. You’re just seeing him mature. He’s bigger now. He’s more explosive. He’s really become a much better football player.”

It also doesn’t hurt that he’s playing alongside All-American sophomore Jeremy Maclin, who according to Pinkel has developed stronger work habits.

“I think Jeremy Maclin right now is a lot better player than he was a year ago,” Pinkel said. “He’s stronger, he’s faster, he’s quicker and he knows the game more. I think his one-on-one routes improved dramatically, but I also think that’s where he’s got to be demanding on himself of perfection because that’s how good he can be. No single guy should ever be able to cover him.”

Maclin likely demanding double coverage on the outside should open up the middle for senior tight end Chase Coffman who will be playing without Martin Rucker for the first time.

“We’ll miss him, but it’s definitely going to be a fun year,” Coffman said. “I’m looking forward to it, I can’t wait. I had surgery on my ankle so it’s been a little tougher getting my wind back, but I think I’m pretty close to 100 percent now.”

Coffman’s ankle looked fine when he performed his trademark hurdle over redshirt freshman cornerback Trey Hobson.

Missouri still resembled the same dynamic team in terms of both play calling and performance throughout the majority of the scrimmage.

“It’s better for players the more you can stay close to your original scheme,” Pinkel said. “It’s just another year, another meeting, they just keep going over and over. Their retentions are a lot better, and I think we become a lot better team if we can do that.”

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Football holds first spring scrimmage

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