Tigers hit the road to take on Nevada

Missouri could remain undefeated in non-conference play with a win.

By Sean Leahy

Published Sept. 25, 2009

After playing in the friendly confines of Faurot Field and a neutral site in St. Louis, the Tigers will take their show on the road for the first time Friday.

Missouri plays its first true road game of the year at Nevada on Friday night. The Tigers will be on the national stage on ESPN.

"When you play on Friday night or Thursday night, it's like Monday Night Football," coach Gary Pinkel said. "It's the only show in town. That's fun for everybody."

In its final test before Big 12 play, Missouri will face a Nevada team that is 0-2 on the season and, last year, was walloped by Missouri 69-17 at Faurot Field.

"Their team is hungry for a win," senior linebacker Sean Weatherspoon said. "We're pretty sure that we're going to get their A game."

Because the game is on a Friday, Missouri had a shortened week of preparation. What might have helped with the quick turnaround was the way Missouri took care of Furman in last week's game.

With a 42-point lead at halftime, Missouri was able to rest some players later in the second half.

"I think it definitely helps keeping our team a little bit fresher," sophomore wide receiver Wes Kemp said. "Getting on top of Furman 42-0 really helped us. We got some of the older guys out and some of the younger guys in to get them experience and things like that."

Kemp is one of the younger Missouri starters getting his first taste of playing on the road.

"It's a big challenge for us," Kemp said. "We're going into a hostile environment, so it should be a little bit different."

Weatherspoon is among the group of Missouri seniors who possess the experience of playing in enemy territory.

"We've got a lot of guys who haven't been in this situation before," Weatherspoon said. "These guys haven't been counted on to go on the road and take care of business. As captains, it's our job to get the younger guys ready and make sure we prepare the right way."

Nevada has stumbled out of the gate as it opened the season with two road games. In the opening weekend, the Wolf Pack was shut out by Notre Dame 35-0.

Nevada had trouble keeping the ball in last week's 35-20 loss to Colorado State. The Wolf Pack had five turnovers (three fumbles and two interceptions) and junior quarterback Colin Kaepernick accounted for three of them.

Although Kaepernick threw two interceptions and lost a fumble against the Rams, his talent still had Missouri on its toes.

Weatherspoon said Kaepernick's speed was something the Tigers had to focus on containing.

"He's obviously a guy who can get out on the perimeter," Weatherspoon said. "When he gets out on the edge a lot of guys aren't going to catch him. We have to make sure we keep him contained."

Kapernick was 25 for 38 passing last weekend and threw for one touchdown. The Wolf Pack's other scores belonged to junior running back Vai Taua, as he ran for 95 yards and two touchdowns.

If Missouri wins, it will be the team's 14-consecutive non-conference win. That total would double the previous mark set in 1981-1982.

The Tigers are looking for their fourth straight perfect non-conference season and a jumpstart as they head into a bye week before facing off with Nebraska on Oct. 8.