Backups gain valuable experience in 52-3 victory

By Lenny Goldman

Published Sept. 6, 2008

If nothing else, the 52-3 slaughter of Southeast Missouri State allowed the Tigers to inflate their stat book.

Senior quarterback Chase Daniel didn’t even need an entire half to boost his numbers and help his Heisman campaign. Daniel completed 16 of 17 passes for 244 yards and three touchdowns.

“One incompletion, we’ll take that any day,” he said. “I think you get a lot out of this. We sharpened some things on the offensive side of the ball. We got in and got out and played well with the first offense.”

What made the offensive performance special Saturday night was how the Tigers spread the ball around. Ten different receivers caught a pass against SEMO.

“It’s just getting guys the opportunity to get out there and show what they can do,” sophomore wide receiver Jeremy Maclin said. “Guys are out there getting their feet wet, and we’re going to need those guys as the season goes on.”

True freshman wide receiver Jerrell Jackson got his feet wet by leading the team in receptions with six catches for 70 yards.

“I just want to get out there and help the team because J Mac can’t go every play,” Jackson said, referring to  Maclin, who sprained his ankle last week against Illinois. “It felt real good. I didn’t anticipate this. When I looked back at how many catches and yards I had it amazed me.”

Jackson had some playing time in the first game of the season, but failed to catch a pass against Illinois. The atmosphere of Farout Field played a role in his standout performance tonight, he said.

“Oh, it was real loud,” Jackson said. “I like the atmosphere out here. All the fans are into the game. It had me crunk.”

Sophomore tailback Derrick Washington had another impressive performance as he is still adjusting to being the feature back.

“Tonight I caught passes and ran the ball and I think I did pretty good,” Washington said. “I just like having the ball in my hands, any athlete does.”

On the ground, Washington went for 67 yards and had two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 43 yards, including one 28-yard catch for a touchdown, all in the first half.

The receiving touchdown developed from a gadget play in which Maclin received the snap and passed the ball backwards to Daniel who was lined up at wide receiver. Daniel then found Washington across the field in the end zone for a score.

“I was sitting there waiting for a while, but when it came I went up and got it in the end zone,” Washington said. “We’re just out there running plays, we’re playing football. Trick plays or not, it’s still football.”

Washington and the rest of the first-string offense got off early as the second string squad took over in the second half.

True freshman Blaine Gabbert started the second half for Missouri. That means he can longer wear his redshirt, so he will most likely have four years of eligibility for the Tigers.

“We said from day one we were going to let him compete,” coach Gary Pinkel said. “We felt we’d split both of them (senior quarterback Chase Patton and Gabbert) if Chase was hurt. It won’t change next week either. We’ll let them compete and we’ll go from there.”

Related Content

• See The Maneater's live blog from the game.
• Seniors honor Aaron O'Neal by wearing his number