Missouri to open conference play against Colorado
The Tigers defeated the Buffaloes 36-17 last season.
Published Oct. 8, 2010
-
The Tigers defeated the Colorado Buffaloes the last time they faced them in a home game October 2008 in a shutout Homecoming game with a final score of 58-0. Missouri will play Colorado on Saturday in its first conference game.
-
The 4-0 Missouri Tigers will take on the Colorado Buffaloes this weekend, kicking off the conference schedule with their fourth-straight home game. The improved Buffaloes enter Faurot Field with a 3-1 record that already matches their 2009 win total.
Missouri cruised to a win when the two teams met last year, scoring three times in the first quarter to give way to a 36-17 victory. The conference opener should be a tougher test this year as Colorado comes off an impressive win over Georgia.
The Buffaloes also have a rising star in junior running back Rodney Stewart. Stewart has shined in the starting role this year, racking up 402 yards and three touchdowns so far.
Junior wide receiver Jerrell Jackson recognizes the strength of Colorado as well as the rest of this year’s Big 12 teams. “It’s always competitive,” Jackson said. “But this year we’re all really even. A lot of games are going to come down to one play.”
Coach Gary Pinkel also knows every game from here on out will be a challenge for his team.
“Playing in the Big 12 conference, every single week you’re going to play a great football team,” Pinkel said. “Now it’s eight weeks with the desire to play our very, very best.”
The No. 22 Tigers come off a commanding win over Miami of Ohio and a bye week to fine-tune their play going into the Big 12 schedule. The Missouri defense will again be without sophomore defensive end Aldon Smith. Senior free safety Jasper Simmons will also be absent because he has been suspended indefinitely.
Although the defense will be down two starters, the Tiger offense will be in full force, including the NCAA leader in receptions, sophomore wideout T.J. Moe. Junior tight end Michael Egnew is also among the leaders in catches at No. 5 in the nation.
Missouri’s top target sees Colorado as the toughest matchup for the receiving core and knows its secondary could prevent problems.
“They might have the two best corners we’re going to see all season,” Moe said. “They’re very physical, they’re fast, they’re big. We better be ready for them.”
The Missouri defensive secondary is no slouch either, with its eight interceptions this year already matching its 2009 total.
The matchup will be the last between the longtime foes because Colorado will move to the Pac-10 Conference in 2011. The rivalry’s history is highlighted by the infamous “Fifth Down Game” of Oct. 6, 1990, in which the Buffaloes scored on an accidental extra down to win at Faurot in the final seconds.
Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the incident, but the Tiger players and staff put little stock in the far-gone fluke.
“We don’t care about the past,” Moe said. “Some people are saying it’s the 20th anniversary of the 'Fifth Down' game. I wasn’t even alive for that, so I don’t care.”
Missouri holds a 41-31-3 lead over Colorado in the all-time series. Kickoff with the Buffaloes is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday.