Tigers maul Kansas State, 38-28

Missouri will head to Ames, Iowa next weekend to face the Iowa State Cyclones.

By John Montesantos

Published Nov. 13, 2010

Missouri improved to 8-2 Saturday with a 38-28 victory over Kansas State in its final home game of the season. The win was much needed for the Tigers coming off two straight losses on the road.

The Tiger defense forced four turnovers and scored a touchdown to lighten the load for the offense. Missouri recovered three fumbles and grabbed an interception as well as posting four sacks.

“We all know the impact of turnovers if you can get them in your advantage and do something with them,” coach Gary Pinkel said. “That was huge in this football game as it is in every game.”

Each of the fumble takeaways came at key moments in the game. The first came in the final minute of the first half when Kansas State had a chance to tie it at 21 going into halftime. Junior defensive end Jacquies Smith fell on the loose ball that was mishandled in the center-quarterback exchange.

Jacquies Smith came up with an even bigger fumble recovery in the third quarter after sophomore defensive end Aldon Smith drilled Wildcat quarterback Carson Coffman to force it loose. Jacquies Smith scooped and scored on a 53-yard fumble return.

After the defense faltered a few times in the first half, Aldon Smith needed to make a play for his team. He later joked that Jacquies Smith outdid him with the touchdown after he failed to score on his interception return against Oklahoma.

“Any athlete wants to make a play when they feel like the team needs it,” Aldon Smith said. “I was just able to get back there and make a good hit on him. Jacquies was able to get the touchdown unlike me a few weeks ago.”

Sophomore wide receiver T.J. Moe had just one thing to say after seeing Aldon Smith’s hit on Coffman from the sidelines.

“I’m just glad he’s on my team,” Moe said. “He’s a great player. I’m sure glad he’s not hitting me.”

The Tiger offense took advantage of the boost from the defensive performance. With none of the running backs or wide receivers posting standout performances, junior quarterback Blaine Gabbert took over for the offense.

Gabbert had 297 all-purpose yards with 89 rushing yards and a season-long 32-yard rushing touchdown. The team leader threw for two more touchdowns with 208 yards on 17-of-25 passing.

Tough losses in the past two weeks put Missouri at 1-2 on the road. But its games played at Faurot Field are a different story; with this win making them undefeated (5-0) at home this year.

Pinkel boasts a handful of perfect home records in his tenure with Missouri, but this is his first since the 2007 season.

“This year we were undefeated in the Zou again,” Pinkel said. “We’ve done it a few times, and that’s really important as our program matures. It sends a message to next year and we take a lot of pride in that.”

Saturday’s victory also marked the last game inside Memorial Stadium for the class of seniors.

Senior center Tim Barnes is a three-year starter and a member of the 2011 graduating class. The anchor of the offensive line grew very close with the Missouri coaching staff in his time here.

“They’re like your parents there for five years,” Barnes said. “It’s really special. I’m just really happy we got to go out there and get a victory for all the seniors and for the team as well.”

Next up for the 8-2 Tigers is a trip to Ames, Iowa to take on Iowa State this Saturday at 6 p.m.