Analysis: Tigers come up big against Nevada
The Tigers' offense shined in the victory.
Published Sept. 29, 2009
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Blaine Gabbert looks for an open receiver during the game against Furman on Sept. 19 at Faurot Field. During this weekend's game against Nevada, Gabbert had a career high in passing performance.
On Sept. 25, the Tigers faced their first real road test of the season. The 0-2 Nevada Wolf Pack were playing in front of their home crowd for the first time in 2009. For four quarters, the Tigers bent but would not be broken, as they ultimately won 31-21.
Much of Missouri's success can be attributed to sophomore quarterback Blaine Gabbert. Although he would claim it was a team effort (which it was), a team is only as good as its quarterback. The Wolf Pack got to Gabbert early on. He was constantly under pressure, and the Tigers got off to another slow start.
But as the game progressed, so did Gabbert. Nevada's plan, much like the three other teams Missouri has faced this season, was to take away the Tigers' running game. Gabbert responded with his best passing game of the season. The sophomore completed 25 of 40 passes, for 414 yards and three touchdowns.
No series in the game was as important as Missouri's drive at the start of the fourth quarter. After recovering a fumble in the redzone, Gabbert and the Tiger offense started the drive at their own three-yard line. Four minutes and 22 seconds later, Gabbert connected with senior wide receiver Jared Perry on a four-yard touchdown pass to complete the 97-yard drive, and effectively put the game out of reach.
The receiving corps continues to grow with Gabbert. Fresh off a career game against Furman, senior wider receiver Danario Alexander had another spectacular game. He had nine catches for 170 yards and two touchdowns — his second multi-touchdown game in a row. That performance was enough to earn him Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors.
But Perry and sophomore receiver Wes Kemp also had big games. Perry added a touchdown among his eight catches, and Kemp came up with some big receptions, too.
One area needing improvement for Missouri is the running game. Junior Derrick Washington managed 75 yards on 16 carries against the Wolf Pack, which are right around his averages for the season. By the end of the second half, Washington had rushed six times and gained nine yards. Fortunately for Missouri, he was able to turn things around in the second half.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, coach Gary Pinkel expressed concern over the running game, saying the team has to run the ball better. The Oct. 8 game against Nebraska would be an ideal time to make a statement.
The Tigers had an even harder time trying to stop the run than they did generating it. Nevada ran wild over Missouri's defense. Of the Wolf Pack's 364 yards of total offense, 246 came on the ground.
Senior running back Luke Lippincott was a major factor, rushing 23 times for 116 yards, but the Tigers made plays when they most needed to. Redshirt freshman defensive end Aldon Smith forced the key fumble in Missouri's red zone. He also added a sack earlier on in the game. The defense has been solid all year, even with a minor slip up Friday.
Unlike most of the gamblers who venture out west, the Tigers caught a break in Reno. It was a solid win, and Missouri now stands at 4-0.
Once Oct. 8 comes around, questions about this team's strengths and weaknesses will be answered very quickly.