Tiger
defense dismantles Texas Tech offense for homecoming
by
Emily Schmidt, posted Oct. 24, 2007
The
dismantling of Texas Tech was a storybook ending for the MU
homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 20. The victory over the
Red Raiders put the MU Tigers back in contention for the Big
12 North title and helped them climb three spots in the rankings
to No. 13.
Unlike
last week’s close loss against Oklahoma, this weekend’s
game wasn’t close, or a loss. Chase Daniel threw 210
yards, a low, but nonetheless contributed to a game-winning
success. Derrick Washington led the MU Tigers in rushing with
66 yards.
MU took
an early lead on Texas Tech scoring in the first five minutes
of the game. Defensive lineman Stryker Sulak ran back a 38-yard
interception for a touchdown, the first of his career. Placekicker
Jeff Wolfert’s field goal brought the score 10-0 in
the final few minutes of the first quarter.
In the
second quarter, Texas Tech’s Edward Britton pass from
Graham Harrell helped the Raiders score their first and only
touchdown. Harrell, who came into the game as a leading Heisman
candidate, was very ineffective against the Tigers.
"We've
probably seen the most pressure we've seen all season,”
said Harrell, Texas Tech’s quarterback. “They
just came out and played more excited than we did in every
position. It wasn't just up front or anything like that. It
was just that the way the game went.”
Sitting
his second game out with an ankle injury, Tony Temple’s
replacement, Jimmy Jackson, stepped in. Only a few minutes
after Tech’s lone touchdown, Jackson reachesd the end
zone to put the Tigers out in front 17-7.
"I
love the challenge; I love being able to contribute to the
team," Jackson said.
Texas
Tech kept positive; however, after a false start penalty,
the Raiders’ Harrell was knocked down by MU defense.
When possession was back with the Tigers, Jackson again ran
a 3-yard drive into the end zone scoring his second of three
total touchdowns of the game.
In the
fourth, quarterback Chase Daniel hooked up with receiver Jeremy
Maclin, who ran 57 yards into the end zone to score Missouri’s
fifth and final touchdown of the game. Wolfert’s adding
a field goal brought the score to 41 to 10.
Texas
Tech was shut out in the beginning of the first quarter after
the team’s single touchdown and field goal, not scoring
the rest of the game. MU’s solid defense was instrumental
in the domination of the Raiders.
"I
think we're getting better as a football team,” said
Gary Pinkel, MU’s head coach. "For our defense
to hold a team like that to 10 points with all the turnovers,
it starts with the coaches and filters on down to the players.
I'm very proud of those guys."
MU has
won six of the past seven games, with their only loss coming
the previous weekend against Oklahoma.
Beating
Texas Tech was instrumental for the Tigers this season. Texas
Tech was ranked No. 24 and Mizzou was No. 16; however, the
matchup was rewarding.
"Beating
a ranked program like this really shows us where we're at,”
Daniel said. “We feel like we can play with anyone in
the country.”
