Missouri football set to host San Diego State

The Tigers are 2-0 and ranked No. 25 in the Coaches Poll.

By John Montesantos

Published Sept. 17, 2010

Missouri football is off to a promising start after big wins over Big Ten rival Illinois and FCS matchup McNeese State. Next up is San Diego State at 6 p.m. Saturday. It will be the team's second straight night game and also the second of a four-game home stand.

Missouri cracked the Top 25 Coaches Poll this week for the first time this season. The Tigers sit at No. 25 after the 2-0 start and hope to rise in the ranks with another non-conference win.

After McNeese State hardly put up a fight last week, Missouri prepares for a much bigger challenge with San Diego State. The Aztecs are also 2-0 and are sixth in the nation in total offense this year. Missouri coach Gary Pinkel is well aware of their upset potential.

“They’re a much-improved team,” Pinkel said. “Brady Hoke is a coach who I have great respect for. You can see his footprint in the program from just a couple years of recruiting. This is a really good football team, and it’s going to be a real challenge for us.”

Pinkel is preparing his team to stop San Diego State’s multi-faceted, pro-style offense that averages 44 points per game. He also warns of their talented junior quarterback Ryan Lindley, who has yet to be sacked this season.

“Usually when you do as many things as they do, you can’t do them all very good,” Pinkel said. “But they’re doing it good. Lindley, the quarterback, is exceptional. He’s a great pocket passer, and he can move.”

While the coaching staff is busy scouting the opponent and preparing for the matchup, the Missouri players are more concerned with their own execution.

“I don’t think it has as much to do with them as it does with us,” sophomore wide receiver T.J. Moe said. “If we come out and execute, I think we can play with anybody.”

Freshman tailback Henry Josey had no problem executing last week against McNeese State. The undersized youngster ran for 112 yards and three touchdowns in week two, elevating the role for Missouri’s freshmen.

“Freshmen have to have a contribution to help us win,” Pinkel said. “We’re recruiting at a higher level than when I first got here. So if the position presents itself depth-wise, and he’s physically and mentally in line to do it, we’ll get them involved.”

On the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers know this will be their first real challenge after facing a redshirt freshman quarterback in week one and a Division II offense last week.

Senior strong side linebacker Andrew Gachkar leads the team in deflected passes, is third in tackles and made the first interception of his career against McNeese State last week. His defense leads the nation in takeaways this year, and he knows the San Diego State matchup will be a good test.

“They do have a good offense,” Gachkar said. “That’s what we’re going to see all Big 12 season, so that’s definitely key for us.”

The return of junior middle linebacker Will Ebner and senior linebacker Luke Lambert this week should give the defense a little boost against the prolific Aztec offense.

The Tigers will look to improve to 3-0 on the season against the Atzecs on Saturday.