Tigers look to use opening win as momentum-builder

Missouri cracked the AP national rankings this week.

By Sean Leahy

Published Sept. 11, 2009

Missouri came out in last weekend's season opener against Illinois looking for more than just a victory.

For a team picked by Big 12 media to finish third in the Big 12 North, the Tigers were looking to get some respect.

"Being picked third in the Big 12 North, you've got a point to prove," senior wide receiver Jared Perry said. "That's motivation."

MU might have earned that respect from the rest of the Big 12 with its 37-9 trouncing of the Fighting Illini in the Arch Rivalry game.

Heading into this weekend's contest against Bowling Green, the Tigers stand at No. 25 in the Associated Press national rankings and feature the reigning Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Week, sophomore quarterback Blaine Gabbert.

Gabbert racked up 319 yards passing in the opener, throwing for three touchdowns and running for one more.

As the Tiger offense flexed its muscles, Perry caught four passes for 93 yards and one touchdown. His 46-yard touchdown scamper on a screen pass gave the Tigers a commanding 30-3 advantage in the third quarter.

For the senior, it was a relief to finally get on the field and prove the team's effectiveness.

"It felt pretty good going out there and trying to make things happen," Perry said.

The often-criticized Missouri defense had a vindicating performance against Illinois.

A year after getting touched-up for 42 points against the Illini, the Tigers held Illinois to one field goal in the first three quarters and kept them out of the end zone until the fourth quarter.

"We definitely came out wanting to make a strong statement," junior cornerback Carl Gettis said. "The success this year was that we didn't give up many big plays. We didn't give them the chance to throw the deep ball on us and get a lot of big plays that way."

Now comes step two. How can MU keep the momentum rolling as it hosts the Falcons this weekend? Coach Gary Pinkel said the first step is getting right back to work.

"I think it's wise with a relatively inexperienced football team that has had a lot of success, I make them aware of what we're going to do this week to prepare for this game to get better," Pinkel said. "We're not good enough to be overconfident."

MU opens the home portion of its schedule against a team known to play spoiler.

Although the Falcons might not be one of the giants of college football, they have shown an ability to win in hostile environments — including Columbia.

Bowling Green leads the all-time series against MU 3-1, and two of those wins came at Faurot Field.

"(The Mid-American Conference) has won a lot of BCS games over the years," Pinkel said. "Certainly Bowling Green itself has."

Perry said the key to maintaining momentum from last week's win is to keep moving forward with the same focus.

"Just keep pedaling downhill," Perry said. "Just keep that same mentality and mindset and keep going."

Gettis said the defense's performance against Illinois showed the unit how successful it can be in a game situation.

"Now we know as a group and as a secondary what we're capable of doing out there as a team and defensive unit," Gettis said.