Tigers to end non-conference schedule against Miami of Ohio

Missouri football aims to stay undefeated heading into conference play.

By John Montesantos

Published Sept. 24, 2010

The No. 24 Missouri Tigers will play their last non-conference game of the season as they host Miami of Ohio on Saturday. Missouri will look to stay unbeaten after moving to 3-0 last week with a comeback win over San Diego State.

Miami is 2-1 and enters Faurot Field on a two-game winning streak after come-from-behind wins over Eastern Michigan and Colorado State. Just three weeks in, Miami of Ohio has already topped its win total from last year’s dreadful 1-11 season.

The strong start as well as the great tradition of the Mid-American Conference has coach Gary Pinkel preparing for another non-conference challenge.

“We all know how good that league is,” Pinkel said. “I know because I played in that league and coached in that league that those teams are good year in and year out.”

Pinkel’s coaching style is to treat every game like a national championship game. His players have adopted his methods of thorough preparation.

“We always talk about overprepare, overprepare, overprepare,” senior cornerback Carl Gettis said. “We just have to refocus and be ready for what they’re going to do.”

Miami of Ohio stuck with then No. 3 Florida in its season opener, trailing 21-12 after three quarters before the Gators pulled away. The Redhawk defense, which held Florida to just 113 passing yards, might give junior quarterback Blaine Gabbert some trouble.

Gabbert is coming off a sub-par performance in week three after a nearly perfect outing against McNeese State the week before.

On the defensive end, the Tigers have taken flack for their performance against the Aztecs, but Pinkel read between the stat lines to see promise in his team.

“I don’t know if any team in college football has ever won with three turnovers in the fourth quarter,” Pinkel said. “But our defense gave up three points on those three turnovers and that gave us a chance. We’re giving up too many big plays and that has to stop, but our third downs are significantly better.”

Although a couple members of the Tiger defense are listed as probable or questionable for Saturday, one big name is ruled out for sure. Sophomore defensive end Aldon Smith will miss this week as he recovers from a fractured fibula suffered in the fourth quarter of the San Diego State game.

Just because he won’t be suiting up Saturday doesn’t mean Smith isn’t in attack mode for week four.

“As you saw, they played well against a really good team in Florida,” Smith said. “We’re interested to see what they can do against us. We’re going to attack them and go out there with a good attitude.”

Sophomore defensive end Brad Madison will get the start in his absence, though Pinkel plans to play multiple defensive ends in the game. Missouri’s depth at the position is provided by a group of game-tested underclassman.

Madison has already caught the eye of the coaching staff, recording a sack, a forced fumble and three tackles for loss in limited time this season.

“He might not be the fastest of the six there, but you watch how he gets off on the snap,” Pinkel said. “He is really quick off the football. He weighs about 255 and he’s got a great motor.”

This will be the first ever meeting for Missouri and Miami of Ohio. The game is set for 1 p.m. Saturday at Faurot Field.