Missouri football plays spring game

The scrimmage marks the end of the spring practice schedule.

By Zach Miller

Published April 20, 2010

Missouri football concluded its spring practice schedule with the Black and Gold Game on Saturday at Faurot Field. The first half was played with two 10-minute quarters, and the starters, Mizzou1, took on the backups, Tiger2. Tiger2 was given a 14-0 lead and the ball to start the game.

On the first possession of the game, senior defensive back Kevin Rutland intercepted a pass by freshman quarterback James Franklin to give Mizzou1 the ball. Redshirt junior kicker Grant Ressel missed a field goal that would have given Mizzou1 its first points of the game.

It appeared Mizzou1 would not score in the first quarter after being forced to punt on its last two possessions of the half, but the defense put the team on the board. Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Brad Madison picked up a fumble by Franklin and scored the first touchdown of the game as time expired in the half.

"I was trying to keep the outside contained," Madison said. "(Redshirt sophomore defensive end) Aldon (Smith) had a nice strip, and it worked out pretty well."

The second quarter was similar to the first, with Tiger2 failing to score and Mizzou1 scoring a touchdown in the final minute. Senior running back Derrick Washington scored on an 8-yard touchdown run with 52 seconds remaining, and the ensuing extra point by Ressel tied the game at 14.

"I have a lot to prove this year," Washington said. "I'm going to show a lot of people what I can do."

Junior quarterback Jimmy Costello tried to lead Tiger2 down the field in the final 52 seconds but was intercepted by senior defensive back Carl Gettis after completing three passes.

Ressel, who missed just one field goal all last season, missed two in the first half of the spring game, including a 60-yard attempt as time expired.

In the second half the defense, wearing gold, faced the offense, wearing black. A special scoring system was set up to score the half, which consisted of two 8-minute quarters.

The defense held a 22-6 lead at the end of the third quarter. The big play for the defense was an interception by senior safety Jarrell Harrison off freshman quarterback Tyler Gabbert.

The offense could not get anything going in the second half and lost 34-8.

It was a strong day for the defense, which was missing junior defensive lineman Jacquies Smith due to an injury.

"We played well without Jacquies today, and getting him back will help us out even more," Aldon Smith said.

At halftime, Missouri recognized last year's seniors and named the most improved players of the spring at each position. Madison, who had one tackle for a loss in addition to his touchdown, was named the most improved defensive lineman.

Sophomore T.J. Moe was named the team's most improved wide receiver. Moe had the best day of any wide receiver with 12 receptions for 85 yards. Junior tight end Michael Egnew, who was named most improved tight end, had two receptions for 11 yards.

"It was a great spring," coach Gary Pinkel said. "We had no injuries, which is very positive."