Sports shorts: Simmons, Smith out for Miami of Ohio game
An overview of Missouri sports
Published Sept. 24, 2010
Football
The Missouri football team enters Saturday's game against the Miami University Redhawks with a 3-0 record for the season. This is the Tigers' last non-conference game of the season before they begin Big 12 play against Colorado on Oct. 9.
The Tigers have only a few players in question for the game against the Redhawks. Junior free safety Jasper Simmons is listed as questionable after undergoing meniscus surgery a little more than a week ago. Coach Gary Pinkel is unsure of Simmons' status for Saturday, but remains hopeful the junior will be on the field.
"Simmons had meniscus surgery probably about ten days ago," Pinkel said in a press conference Monday. "He's doing very, very well. Is he doubtful, probable, I have no idea. We'll find out as we go in the next couple of days. He's done really well in his rehab along with our medical staff."
Simmons recorded five tackles and one interception in his lone game of the season for the Tigers.
Also questionable for Saturday's contest is senior linebacker Luke Lambert, who has been dealing with a hamstring problem since the season opener.
"Luke Lambert had a hamstring (injury)," Pinkel said. "I would say he's probable. But again, with the hamstrings, our medical staff pays close attention to those and they're a little sensitive. That's something we're going to have to look at Tuesday, Wednesday, as we get going."
Lambert had eight tackles in Missouri's victory over Illinois on Sept. 4.
Also sitting out of the game against Miami (Ohio) is sophomore defensive end Aldon Smith. The Tigers revealed Monday that Smith had a fractured fibula and is ruled out of Saturday's game.
"Aldon Smith is going to be out for this game," Pinkel said. "He's got a small fracture in his fibula."
Pinkel noted that the bone is non-weight-bearing, which increases the probability of a fast recovery time. Smith had 15 tackles and three sacks through the Tigers' first three games, and he is coming off a record-setting 11.5 sacks last year.
The Tigers will look to go 4-0 in nonconference play as they square off against the Miami (Ohio) Redhawks at 1 p.m. on Faurot Field.
Swimming and Diving
The Missouri swimming and diving team begins its season Oct. 1 with the Black & Gold Intersquad. The Tigers will look to improve on an impressive 2009-2010 season with a new coach, Greg Rhodenbaugh, after finishing last season ranked No. 21 in the nation and 3rd in the Big 12.
Volleyball
After an impressive 7-0 start to the season, the Tigers have hit a rough patch, losing four of their last six games. Missouri is 1-2 in Big 12 play, losing to Iowa State and Texas in the last two games. The Tigers look to bounce back as they take on the Kansas State Wildcats on Sept. 25 in Manhattan, Kan.
Soccer
Missouri soccer is off to a slow start this season, compiling a 2-4-2 record in nonconference play. The Tigers now face 10 conference games before the Big 12 Championships in early November. Missouri will start off Big 12 action against Kansas on Friday at Walton Stadium. The Jayhawks come into Columbia with a 4-4 record on the year, and both teams are coming off losses to the Milwaukee Panthers.