EmBEARassed
Baylor puts major hurt on Missouri.
Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert is sacked during the Tigers’ 40-32 loss to Baylor Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Gabbert was sacked four times in the second half as the Bears — 14-point underdogs coming in — rallied from a 27-16 halftime deficit to stun MU.
Published November 7, 2009 at 5:40 p.m.
Updated November 8, 2009 at 6:55 a.m.
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Whether it wraps up in three weeks or at some lower-tier bowl game, by the conclusion of Missouri’s football season, the Tigers might lead the Big 12 Conference in blank stares.
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Second-half woes have Missouri riding into sunset
PINKEL'S GREATEST MISSES
Sept. 9, 2004: Troy 24, Missouri 14 — Lineman Junior Louissant rumbled 63 yards to the end zone after alertly catching teammate DeWhitt Betterson’s fumble in the second quarter to tie the score at 14 and help the Trojans to their first win at home over an FBS school. Afterward, the No. 19 Tigers fell out of the polls. And later on, Louissant picked up an ESPY nod.
Nov. 20, 2004: Kansas 31, Missouri 14 — Misery, thy name is Brian Luke. The Jayhawks’ fourth-string signalcaller threw for 239 yards and two touchdowns as the Big 12 North’s last-place Jayhawks snuffed out any bowl hopes for the Tigers by handing Gary Pinkel’s crew its fifth straight loss, MU’s longest streak since 1995.
Sept. 10, 2005: New Mexico 45, Missouri 35 — Before he started marrying Playboy Playmates, Lobos receiver Hank Baskett started the trend of torching the Missouri secondary, hauling in 10 catches for 209 yards and three touchdowns to ruin the Tigers’ home opener.
Nov. 18, 2006: Iowa State 21, Missouri 16 — If you ask Pinkel, we have the incorrect score. The Big 12 Conference admitted the holding call on MU’s Monte Wyrick that negated a game-winning touchdown against the North Division’s worst team was wrong. All that came a day after the coach inked a contract extension, too.
Nov. 7, 2009: Baylor 40, Missouri 32 — Apparently, the Tigers offense doesn’t believe scoring after halftime to be essential, having failed to score a touchdown in the second half of any of its Big 12 games. That and stopping the opponent’s passing game, letting thirdstringer Nick Florence finish with a Baylor record 427 yards passing and three scores.
— Matt Harris
That’s about all they had to offer in the wake of yesterday’s stunning 40-32 loss to Baylor.
Yes, Baylor, the previous owners of two Big 12 road wins. Ever.
But with another second-half offensive meltdown that’s become all too familiar for Missouri, it was 14-point underdog Baylor celebrating a rare victory away from Waco, Texas, just its third in 55 Big 12 road contests since the league formed in 1996.
“It’s a shock,” Missouri linebacker Sean Weatherspoon. “We don’t expect to lose a game like that.”
Maybe not, but anything’s possible when your offense goes inexplicably futile after halftime. That’s been the case for Missouri (5-4, 1-4 Big 12) since the start of Big 12 play. And yesterday was the most troubling example.
This time, a flourishing game of pitch and catch between Blaine Gabbert and Danario Alexander came undone in the second half — all while Missouri’s defense kept up its ragged play against previously punchless Baylor (4-5, 1-4).
It all added up to one of the worst Missouri losses in recent memory, a defeat that left Tigers Coach Gary Pinkel feeling like, “your guts are torn out,” he said. “But, you know what, you do this business and you generally get what you deserve. And we didn’t deserve to win this football game.”
Not with an offense that again failed to put together a complete game. Heck, the Tigers would settle for three quarters of production at this point. Missouri has gone 160 minutes and 7 seconds in the second half of games since visiting the end zone, a Gabbert pass to Jared Perry at Nevada on Sept. 25. Since then, the Tigers have been outscored 80-11 by five opponents in the second half.
But Missouri players explain the second-half woes no better than they avoid them.
“Yeah, we just didn’t execute,” Gabbert said. “That’s what it boils down to. It’s pretty simple.”
“I can’t really put my finger on it,” wideout Wes Kemp added. “We’ve just got to come out faster and stronger and better in the second half.”
“We ain’t really got any answers on it right now,” Perry said. “But we can’t keep having that in the second half.”
Not much needed fixing for the offense early. By halftime, the Tigers had averaged 9 yards a play. Gabbert had completed 21 of 27 passes for 322 yards and two touchdowns. Alexander had grabbed 11 passes for 171 yards and a score. And Gabbert had led five scoring drives on six possessions. Holding a 27-16 halftime lead on Kemp’s 7-yard touchdown catch with 1 second left on the clock, the Tigers seized all that momentum and opened the second half with … five straight punts.
“Did we feel too good at halftime? I don’t know,” Pinkel said. “And I know ‘I don’t know’ is not a good enough answer. … I just haven’t fixed it. There’s nobody else to blame but me.”
Unlike the last few weeks, Missouri’s offense had a partner in its vanishing act. The same MU defense that tormented Colorado’s young quarterback a week ago became powerless against Baylor’s quick passing game, led by freshman quarterback Nick Florence, who threw for a Baylor record 427 yards and three touchdowns. The Big 12’s 10th-rated passer coming in, Florence threw mostly short passes near the line of scrimmage but left with the first 400-yard passing game against Missouri since 2003.
“Last week, defense did a hell of a job in the second half of fighting and competing all the way to the end,” Weatherspoon said. “Today, we didn’t get off the field the way we needed to.”
Florence’s 59-yard touchdown pass to Kendall Wright put the Bears up for good with 13:11 left in the fourth quarter as Wright cruised past cornerback Robert Steeples for the score, giving the Bears a 33-29 lead.
“We came out hyped. We came out on our toes,” Missouri defensive tackle Dominique Hamilton said. “We just all need to give a little more. … When we get up, we can’t be satisfied. We need to keep attacking over and over and over again. When we get up, it’s all smiles and happy. And we’ve got to have that killer mentality to dominate every time.”
Missouri’s ensuing possession typified its second-half lapses:
First down, Gabbert runs for no gain.
Second down, Gabbert sacked for a 9-yard loss.
Third down, Perry drops a pass.
Jake Harry, come on down.
“Continuously, regardless what we do in practice, regardless of how much we’re emphasizing it, we’re not playing good enough in the second half to win football games,” Pinkel said. “I’m in charge of that. Obviously, what we’re doing isn’t working.”
The implosion continued as Baylor grabbed a two-score lead with Terrance Ganaway’s 1-yard plunge into the end zone for a 40-29 lead.
Missouri cut the deficit to one score, 40-32, with Grant Ressel’s 46-yard field goal with 2:55 left but couldn’t capitalize on one last scoring chance. Gabbert drove MU into the red zone in the final minute but couldn’t complete a fourth-down throw from the 18, clinching Baylor’s first Big 12 road win since beating Colorado in triple overtime in 2006.
The loss spoiled career nights from Gabbert (468 yards on 30-of-51 passing) and Alexander (12 catches, 214 yards) as the Tigers struggled on third down in the second half, converting just 1 of 9 chances, while giving up four sacks.
Now, the Tigers try to salvage what’s left of their season with a road trip to Kansas State, where they’ve won just once in 20 years — but not since 1989 when Bill Snyder’s stalked the sideline, as he’ll be doing Saturday. Pinkel enters the matchup 0-5 against Snyder.
“But I’ll get up. And I’ll be swinging,” Pinkel said. “Tomorrow morning, we’ll get after it.”
Reach Dave Matter at 573-815-1781 or e-mail dmatter@columbiatribune.com.
55 reader comments
The opinions expressed below are those of the readers who submitted them and not those of the Tribune's reporters or editors. Readers are solely responsible for the content of their comments.
joethetiger says...
Dave:Why did we not run the ball more???Baylor is horrible against the run. run Coach pinkel and staff are slightly above average and no more. Do not tell me how great a program this is. Do NOT tell me that. Because this is NOT a great program.This is a slightly above average program with a slightly above average Coach and Staff. Admit it Dave. Admit it!!!Why after 8.5 years are we still sub-500 in BIG 12 play?why?why? i want your thoughts Dave on all the above???
November 7, 2009 at 6:32 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Comotiger says...
Dave: Are you ready to admit that Yost is getting out-coached in the second half of football games? The horrible and anemic second half offense is no longer just a trend, it's a full-fledged epidemic, and it's par for the course for this offense, now. The secondary is getting worse as the season progresses, not better.
I think that some of our unsigned recruits could be getting a bit concerned after some of MU's performances this season. Pinkel needs to relieve Yost of his play-calling duties, hire another proven OC somewhere, or call the plays himself. Pinkel is an offensive coach, I believe. Wasn't he the OC when he was at UW?
The secondary coach will probably be gone at season's end, but I think that Yost, and possibly even Stec may need to be re-evaluated at season's end. We have a young team this year, but some of the losses, and more so, the WAY we've lossed some of these games is a big red flag to me. Pinkel's been here almost 10 years now, and despite losing NFL talent from last year, beating teams you're better than, and being competitive in losses are reasonable expectations. The last 2 or 3 seasons are beginning to look like mere anomalies, sandwiched in between a very mediocre and subpar tenure.
Should loyal Tiger fans have to wait another 7-8 years for MU to be considered nationally relevant again? I don't think so. This season is circling the drain, MU could very well end up last in the North, or maybe even in the entire conference! That's not a rebuilding year, that's taking steps backward. Too much faith has been shown to Pinkel by the fanbase and the A.D. for MU to become a bottom feeder again. This is unacceptable, to say the least.
November 7, 2009 at 6:46 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
dmatter (Dave Matter) says...
Guys, I'll be posting my Emptying the Notebook entry on Sunday night like I do most weeks. Until then, I've got a ton to write. I don't have time to answer individual questions here or anywhere else. Carry on ...
November 7, 2009 at 7:24 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Grace4u says...
Tip to Coach Yost. Teach your QB and wide receivers that when the other team blitzs, they need to slant across the middle to where the position the blitzer left from. East 10 yards and your QB can dump the ball quickly. Everyone except MU knows this.
November 7, 2009 at 8:49 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Grace4u says...
Tip to Coach Stec. Your zone pass defense does not work. Teach your defenders that when a receiver comes in a zone area, the defender needs to be able to react to the receiver before the ball gets to the receiver not after he catches the ball. We have speed but it is only uded after the receiver catches the ball. These players are not football smart. Why?
November 7, 2009 at 8:54 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Grace4u says...
Tip to Coach Pinkel. Your half time adjustments are not. Why do we always perform worse in the second half? Out coached at half time? Players too tired? They did not have that hungry look today.
November 7, 2009 at 8:59 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Slater says...
Comotiger, you're sounding less comatose now, and that's good. :)
I say, and I've said it for a long time, if MU football is going to be categorized as a D-1 program, then it should have a D-1 coach/staff and act like a D-1 program on the field.
Pretty disgusting, and pretty doggone nervy of Alden to put the arm on ticket holders' wallets and expect them to stand still for this spectacle!
November 7, 2009 at 9:05 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
okiemizzoufan says...
guys Pinkle is a solid coach.he has recruited well.We have upgraded our facilities and have a solid fan base.We are the least penlized team in the league.We lost alot of talent in last years Nfl draft. Now having said all that, the question s I have is Did Pinkle interview anyone outside the family for the coordinators positions?Is anyone willing to take responibility for lack of 2 half adjustments? Are we improving each week? Why are we paying 2.3 million and not getting our moneys worth?Bottom line Pinkle needs to look outside the family for help to improve otherwise look for the same old song and dance until Mizzou fans wake from the land of apathy and denial and excuses and expect more from Pinkle we can sadly expect more of the same!
November 7, 2009 at 9:12 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Brian_Whittenberg says...
How does our defense that seemed solid turn all of a sudden turn to crap? This season is officially in the toilet. Lets hope with experience we are much better next year. Basketball starts Nov. 17
November 7, 2009 at 9:24 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
SethDaniel says...
Boo for Ol' Mizzou. Boo, Boo, Boo.
Boo Pinkel.
Boo Yost.
Boo Steckel.
That was BAYLOR without its best player fellas.
Hard to be a fan with that outing.
I'll watch the rest of the season, but my heart's moved on to roundball.
November 7, 2009 at 9:58 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
w00lyb00ger says...
Absolutely awful. Worst coaching job I've seen in a long time. Coach Pinkel has urged Tiger fans to show up for the games. I just assumed that he meant that the team would do the same. Looks like someone isn't holding up their end of the bargain. Losing on your own home field to one of the worst teams in the conference. Pathetic.
November 7, 2009 at 10:32 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
w00lyb00ger says...
Time to forget about football like the team has and move on to basketball. At least Mike Anderson can take undertalented players and turn them into overachievers. Pinkel has taken the most talent laden squad in the Big 12 North and turned them into underachievers. Where's Donald Trump because someone needs firing.
November 7, 2009 at 10:35 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
ZZuFan says...
I told all of you guys at the beginning of Big12 play that we were the most overrated, overhyped bunch of mediocre players and coaches to ever set foot on Faurot Field. We had beaten a horrible Illinois team, nearly lost to Bowling Green and barely survived beating a terrible Nevada team, and all of those teams had a combined TWO wins.
Going in to the Nebraska game everyone was so confident that we had simply reloaded our offense and that our defense was one of the best we've had. People were saying ridiculous things like "we could be a Top15 team" and "we will easily win the North." I told you guys that we would MAYBE beat Kansas State and Colorado and lose the rest of our conference games. So far one of those predictions is true. But I don't see how we can beat K-State.
We are last place in probably the worst division in any BCS conference and we just lost to baylor! how does this happen? Oh wait, because we aren't a football power. We had two or three good years. Get ready for basketball and expect our football program to be the Baylor of the North just as it had been for the past 30 years. go tigers!
November 7, 2009 at 11:09 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
jerry5 says...
I want to make it crystal clear........ that the reason we lost this game today is because we went away from our running game and became a one dimensional team....again!. We must have the most hard headed coaches in the conference to continue to make..... the same mistakes over and over again. Gary when will you learn that you can't win a game without a running game? Gabbert can't throw under pressure , don't you get it? Baylor adjusted their pass rush lanes at halftime..and we couldn't stop it and it was game over. This loss is on you. Don't blame the defensive secondary for giving up big play after big play....it's not their fault that no one on your staff seems to know how to teach coverage at the division one level. 10 yard cushion, face guarding, out of position to make plays, confusion on calls....I thought we covered this after the Texas game? Here's a message for you Mike Alden. You want to charge more for season tickets next year? Your coach had better step-up and deliver these last three games or forget it. I've had it with the ineptness of this coaching staff. It's one thing to admit you have a problem and try to fix it. and its another to live in this constant state of denial that this staff seems to languish in. It doesn't take a coach making 2.5 Million dollars to realize that you have a problem when you can only score 6 points in the second half of five games. Enough is enough ....make some changes, what you are doing is not working....period!
November 7, 2009 at 11:27 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
blackngoldfan says...
I didn't hear the the game and I'm glad I didn't. This result is totally unaccetable as a program. Baylor as a program that was in the toliet. Well, I guess we felt bad and wanted to take over their position. This stinks to high heaven. To the players - forget a bowl game; you need concentrate on spring practice '10.
November 7, 2009 at 11:56 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
blackngoldfan says...
Tigers save us all the trouble of worrying about how this season is going to end. Go out and get hammered by KSU 66-0. Just like its 1999.
November 8, 2009 at 12:23 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
jdkingbear says...
I just love it! Mizzou fans can't bring themselves to admit that the lowly Baylor Bears could come back from an 11 point deficit at half time and humble the mighty Missouri Tigers. I was at Faurot Stadium in the early 70's when the Bears mauled the then ranked Tigers 27-0 and the same attitude prevailed then. Have the honesty and courage to just admit the better team won yesterday ... even with a third string QB. Oh, and put a little more salt on that roasted Missouri crow you are having to dine on Mizzou fans.
November 8, 2009 at 5:42 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
jerry5 says...
jdkingbear......where were your fans? I didn't see any at the game? Were you guys hiding in the bathroom?
November 8, 2009 at 6:53 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
MITiger says...
I don't see how anyone thinks next year is going to be any different. It's been like this more years than not.
Until the coaching staff is overhauled this is what we're going to get.
It's the same as Quinn Snyder. Put up a couple of respectable years and then try to act like you can do it again.
This team will be WORSE next year losing it's top 2 playmakers.
Amazing what Bill Snyder's doing at KSU isn't it!
November 8, 2009 at 7:02 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
rcruter says...
rcruter hate to say I told you so but I did. Being drinking buddies of the HC hardly qualifies you for being a coordinator for the b12. had some hope for steck but his terrible tx game plan was excused as they were the superior team. now he lost to a bad baylor team and it is on him.
Yost was over his hd as soon as they got into conference play, just isnt' big12 worthy, should go to a DII school where he can be anonymous and be buddies with his coach and players. He is getting schooled every game, where he and rest of coaching staff goes for pizza and beer at half while the opposing coaches are doing that coaching thing and making adjustments and Yost is always surprised when they do.
Gary is being paid Big time money, we have a right to expect competent performance. You MUST go outside the team for real bigtime coordinators, not just look down the hall and call your buttboys and give them a job they arn't good enough for.
Mike Aldon and University officials and alumni bigwigs need to sit him down and demand he go get better coordinators and coaches in general. They simply arn't good enough. Oh yeah, hey gary, you keep saying you accept responsibility and want to fix it. players are there, good talent base but they arn't being coached up enough. FIX IT!
November 8, 2009 at 7:28 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
MITiger says...
Obviously the D's been awful for a long, long time. Anyone have any stats on what the highest ranked D Pinkel has ever fielded at Mizzou? That'd be interesting. Some coaches just can't field defensive minded teams ala Dick Vermeil and Mike Martz.
The O line, or lack of one, is this years biggest disappointment. You're telling me 5 guys can't block 3? And 3 from Baylor at that. Wuebbels & Palmgren have just stunk up the field. Sorry to have to name names. I've felt in prior years that our Oline were generally overachievers. So it's generally been fun to root for them, until now.
This has got to be one of the least physical teams we've ever fielded.
November 8, 2009 at 7:48 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
gtrain1111 says...
I absolutely love people like ZZufan who types.."I told all of you guys at the beginning of Big12 play " and rcruter who said..." hate to say I told you so but I did".
OMG, do you guys really think you have imparted some great wisdom on the rest of us that we hadn't figured out for ourselves? I doubt if you really "hated" to tell us so. If you had, you wouldn't have taken the time to come onto the Tribune Board, sign into your user's account and then type those idiotic words. I guess there is a need to type those words so the "REST" of us who didn't get a chance to "be told so by you two" could do exactly that and you can appear to be very wise. Get over yourself.
November 8, 2009 at 8:41 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
mhbtiger says...
I must have been at a different game. I saw LOTS of 1 yard running plays. If you are only going to get 1 yard at a time, you need a 10 down 1st down.
Do you guys really think our offense should politely knock on the door one yard at a time until someone lets us in?
The problem with the game was our inability to CATCH the ball when the receiver was wide open. Another problem is Gabbert seems to only have one idea of what to do. He hasn't grasped the idea of Alternate Plan B.
November 8, 2009 at 9:25 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
AhhISee says...
Whoa, can we get some more crazy overreactions around here???
November 8, 2009 at 10:03 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
RoyinArkansas says...
We need a new Offensive Coordinator, now. I need a beer, now.
I am so glad I talked all my friends down here out of betting on Mizzou this week. They all thought MU would easily cover 14 against lowly Baylor. I told them I don't trust our OC, and not to bet on us when we are double digit favorites.
I won a ton on the BYU game yesterday, and I am moping around like my dog was run over. This is horrible. I wonder how much it would cost to hire the OC away from Houston?
November 8, 2009 at 10:15 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Ozarker says...
I live in Colorado and attended this year's game in Boulder. Granted, the altitude can be difficult on visitors, but I noticed the Tigers appeared fatigued in the second half with hands on hips before snaps. With the poor second half performances this year, I'm wondering about Mizzou's conditioning program. The Denver Broncos concentrated on conditioning this year and are 5-1 with average talent and seem to have an advantage in the second half. Just a thought.
November 8, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Boatinater says...
I dunno, if my passing game was clicking in the first half the way it was, I probably would have kept passing it, too.
That said, it still makes no sense to me why the wheels fall off after halftime every week. Every. Week.
Actually, strike that - remember when Gabbert was the most lethal quarterback in the third quarter? Times change quickly.
November 8, 2009 at 11:52 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Grace4u says...
Oh and don't forget about the pathetic kickoff coverage. We kick it 7 yards deep in the endzone and twice a last chance reaching arm tackle stops a touchdown return. They were still able to get it to the 40 yard line anyway. Finally in the 2nd half we had to squib it to keep away from the big return. ????? or was our strategy to stop scoring so we would not half to kick off? Sound frustated--you bet!
November 8, 2009 at 12:01 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
charlesthegreat says...
Heard scattered boos from the crowd in the fourth quarter. Very unusual for a college crowd to boo its home team (unless your in Philadelphia, where they have booed Santa Claus on occasion). Fans are getting restless. Do you really want to raise ticket rices and other fees for season ticket holders next year?
November 8, 2009 at 12:01 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
kingston says...
Perfect headline. As an early 90's graduate, I've seen enough games like this. Somethings got to change before I renew season tickets.
November 8, 2009 at 12:32 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Comotiger says...
AhhlSee: The only thing crazy around here is the 2009 MU football team. Think before you post, please.
Someone needs to throw Yost a life-preserver, he's struggling to tread water. Stec and Ford can't swim with the Big 12 fish either.
If coach Pinkel doesn't see the writing on the wall in regards to some of his coaches, then he's simply choosing to remain blind. If significant changes on his staff aren't made in the off-season, then some of the most loyal MU and Pinkel fans, like myself, are gonna seriously consider hopping on the "We need new leadership" bandwagon. Honestly, I hate to say that because despite some of Pinkel's shortcomings I like the majority of his principles and philosophies. But, to continue to demand that we accept what he and his staff have shoved down our collective throats this year is begging to put fate to the test.
He's shown some ability to alter his stance on some things over the last few years, well, it's time for Pinkel to consider making some significant changes in his program, AGAIN. And it should start with looking in his own mirror, and then examining closely just what the heck his staff is doing. Failing to do these things immediately, at season's end, could cost him the support his program has garnered to this point, and ultimately his job.
This is year 9 people, not year 2,3,or even 4. The program has to be more consistent than this. A 2-3 year reign of respectability doesn't cut it in an 8-10 year tenure.
November 8, 2009 at 12:32 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Robert_1 says...
<"Whoa, can we get some more crazy overreactions around here???">
Ask and you shall receive.
What about getting the Army to do a big recruiting push with the football team? If these guys signed up we could train them to fight with our troops over in Afganistan and Iraq (you know, put them on a real battlefield), help defeat those rascals who "hate our freedom", and eliminate football as a Mizzou sport. Then all the people who base a big part of their life on winning and losing can use their extra time and resources to support our war efforts and still get their fix. The Trib could run a piece every week on the individual players who joined the Army that details their stats....."Gabbert had a good week on the Afgan front this week. Assigned to latrine duty, he turned in a daily average of 5.4 hours for the week, well below the 7 hour expected mark.".
November 8, 2009 at 1:08 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Jagtiger says...
Are we really shocked at the Baylor game? Here are the constants of our program under Pinkel so far:
- Play calling on both sides of the ball based on repeating a static and limited number of plays;
- An inability to adjust to an opponent;
- An unbalanced run/pass approach to offense; and,
- A lack of game clock control leaving the defense on the field most of the game.
The one thing Coach Pinkel got right this week was his comment- "I just haven’t fixed it. There’s nobody else to blame but me." Absolutely true coach! But that old self-depredation trick you use to defuse us is getting old.
Use the remaining games to show us and the players that you and your staff can work outside the constants of the past. By playing balanced football, working to keep the offense on the field longer, opening up the whole playbook, and getting this team to a minor bowl and ready for next year, the program grows. If you are building next year’s program rather than running last year’s program, everyone involved can live with it and support you. It is time for you and your staff to make a choice.
November 8, 2009 at 1:35 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
BenK says...
No need to fire the coach or freak out over losing to Baylor's third string QB, or to Baylor as a program for that matter. A ranked MU barely escaped Waco last time with a win--and that was with Chase Daniel at QB. Baylor's team and program is simply getting better. Also, while he was third string to start the season, this wasn't Florence's first game. Yes, he was a backup, but he played most of the snaps since Baylor's freshman All-American Robert Griffin went down with an ACL injury. Most QBs in America would be backups on a team with a healthy Robert Griffin. The game was very close. MU could have won if just one play had gone the other way.
November 8, 2009 at 3:27 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Pieceofcake says...
Oh come on. I am tired of every embaressing loss being a bowl of cheerios. There are serious problems here. No points in the second half. Embaressing Big Twelve play. No running game - 10 yards on 26 plays! Absolutely pitiful half time adjustments. The coordinators do not have the talent, pure and simple. Serious consideration needs to be made for a change. The talent is there but without improved coaching we won't see much more talent coming to Mizzou. I have to say I am going to pass going to the Iowa State game. I have spent enough expensive weekends seeing some really sad coached football.
November 8, 2009 at 4:02 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
B_Walk says...
Have any of you guys heard anything about people lobbing personal attacks at Blaine Gabbert and other players? I heard that some people really took him to task on Twitter and Facebook. That's not really cool...at all. I've spent a lot of time on here attacking the coaches, who, quite frankly, deserve it. They get paid handsome sums to win football games, and they haven't been doing that. I find it rather disturbing that people are accusing Blaine of "ruining the season." That's just misdirected anger of the worst kind. The kid's not immune from criticism, and he has made his fair share of mistakes this season, but come on. That's not what being a fan is about.
November 8, 2009 at 5:02 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
jenn600rr says...
Maybe tickets for the hill won't cost $50 now that everyone has realized that the football team isn't so hot!!! Basketball here I come at least you guys don't quit half way through your game!
November 8, 2009 at 5:10 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Comotiger says...
B_Walk: No, I didn't know that Gabb was getting persecuted on the web. And, I totally agree with you, Gabb isn't the central problem, the men hired to coach these guys are the most reprehensible for the results on the field. Period. When you have the talent MU has, yet the same old mistakes continue to be made, that's a leadership issue.
November 8, 2009 at 5:19 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
jp4mizzou says...
Something is very very wrong over in the football program. Has been for some time. All I know is our coaches have not mustered a single touchdown in 10 second half quarters of football this season. unacceptable. No business operates this way and this cannot continue. I have little to no confidence that coach Pinkel will make changes necessary to save his administration. This is truly up to him. I am beginning to wonder if he knows how to coach the spread offense? He depends on his coaches more than he should perhaps? The defense ...just have no words to express on that subject.
November 8, 2009 at 5:45 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
RoyinArkansas says...
Don't jump the players, jump the coaches. The players are good, but the coaching sucks. That said, I like Pinkle, just demote Yost.
November 8, 2009 at 6:26 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Brian_Whittenberg says...
Inexperienced coordinaters + inexperienced players = losing to Baylor. We need coordinators that have a proven track record.
November 8, 2009 at 8:46 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Tiger_AL says...
It always blows my mind how little many of the people in this town know about football. Fire the coaches! You have to be kidding me right? You might want to check the sign at the city limits folks it says Columbia, not Gainsville, Austin, or Ann Arbor.
We lost 6 players to the NFL draft, so 6 players that NFL coaches, scouts, and GMs felt had NFL caliber talent. Of those 6, 2 were first round picks, one was considered by many to be the best tight end in college football, and our QB was not exactly a bum either. Add to that the fact that we lost our offensive and defensive coordinators. What did you think we were headed to the national championship this year???? Get real!
We went 12 - 2 and 10 - 4 the previous two seasons and I am guessing we will end up 9 - 4 or 8 - 5 this year. This is such a terrible record in a rebuilding year? You seem to forget our laughing stock of the Big 12 status we recently shed under Pinkel.
I see a lot in this team that has me looking foward to next year, Smith at D end is going to be a beast. Ebner hits everyone like they said bad things about his mother. We are going to have a very good receiving crew, Gabbert is going to be a very very good QB, and Yost and Steck will be very competent coordinators. We also have a lot of young talent at the skill positions.
I must admit I was not a huge Pinkel fan when he first came here but he has won me over with his actions over the last 4 seasons. He has taken our team to a level of respectability it has not seen in decades, he has been a good coach and done an excellent job of recruiting in a place where recruiting top shelf talent is difficult at best.
November 8, 2009 at 10:04 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Redrage says...
hahahaha!!!! Another well deserved loss. The Tiger "Fans" are now starting to bash their own team. Hurry up, get off the bandwagon now that you're losing!!!! Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of trash talking folks with the poorest game manners of any team in the Big XII. Enjoy the rest of your season.
November 8, 2009 at 11:45 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
B_Walk says...
Right, because Cornhusker fans weren't calling for Shawn Watson's head a couple of weeks ago after you guys lost 9-7 to Iowa State. Pot, meet kettle.
November 9, 2009 at 7:20 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Robert_1 says...
Almost cut my hair, you know, it happened just the other day
Musta been because the Tigers lost to Baylor
And all life's meaning went away.
But I'll try..... Try to hold my head up high
And I'll move on....knowin' the pain, agony, and depression will someday be gone.
November 9, 2009 at 8:40 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Redtiger says...
Can't wait for the "Border War' at Arrowhead! Bring your best squirt gun and settle in for a battle. A battle for what? Uh, lets see, nothing.
November 9, 2009 at 8:57 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
midmocat says...
Tiger_AL; What a koolaid drinker! Fire Pinkel now!!!
November 9, 2009 at 9:06 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
okiemizzoufan says...
tiger al there are some real problems at Mizzou and after 9 years Pinkle is not able to fix them.
1.a team that does not improve week to week.
2. wasting of talent
3. 7-23 versus ranked opponents
4 0-11 versus Big 2 Texas and Oklahoma loses really not that close even with NFL caliber talent..
5. predictable play calling
6. no game time or halftime adjustments
7. not looking outside the family for quality coordinators
8. secondary poorly coached looking lost and confused 9 games into the season and really porous for years now.
9. Big 12 coaches getting more from there players mangino,snyder,brown,stoops,gundy,leach,pelini as evidenced by there records and watching them improve each week.
so until people like you and others who beleive more time is the answer nothing will ever fundamentally change. So the fans who have been great need to revolt. call the chancellor or email him call mike alden, cancel season tickets this way it will put pressure on for some real change for the better lot of good quality coaches outhere like coach at temple,sumlin at houston,patterson at tcu,whittingham at utah,wake up we deserve and players deserve so much better.
November 9, 2009 at 9:44 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
RichM says...
I see this in alot of sports. The reason why you have second half problems, or problems in a series of games (as in hockey), where you otherwise have success, is because there is a rigid system in place. You practice the system and get good at it, so you are tempted to stick to it. But if you stick to it for too long, you might as well explain each call to your opponent before you make it. because they will figure it out.
There is a saying by Napoleon, "Never fight an enemy for too long, for you will teach him all your tricks of war." Your system will work well when your opponent is facing it for the first time, but once he learnes it you need a new system! One might think that if you are having early success, it is best to keep it simple and not try to fix what isn't broken, but in fact predictability is a path to failure in team sports. As hard as it is to contemplate, you need to abandon your method of success while it is still successful!
November 9, 2009 at 10:23 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
RK11111111111 says...
If you are ahead at half time, you have enough time to get on your iPhone, make a bet then throw the game.
November 9, 2009 at 11:12 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
MUmike says...
Guess what? Danario Alexander and Sean Weatherspoon both graduate after this season.
Think about that.
Now, think about that for a little longer.
Uh-oh.
November 9, 2009 at 12:59 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Dex says...
Constantly passing the ball without a running game is what cost Chase Danile the Heisman Trophy, and his prospects of being a top pick in the draft. We need to run the ball up the middle. GO get a high school kid who can pound the ball between the tackles. Maybe for next year.
November 9, 2009 at 1:57 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
OnyxMiz says...
First of all, this season is a culmination of many things.
1. Young players: Most of the key players in very key positions are sophomores or Red-shirt Freshman. That means that your going to have very inconsistent play and the coaching staff must really keep these players motivated and focused, especially when they are playing a team like Baylor who is suppose to be so talentless. This coaching staff has done a bad job of getting the best out of this very young team.
2. New Coaches: I understand Pinkel's policy of hiring from inside his own staff for vacancies at the O-Coordinator and D-Coordinator ; however, I think that this type of policy does not fit the current landscape of college football. I believe this summer when he was questioned regarding these hires he stated that this is policy that he learned from Don James at Washington during his tenure at WU. I'm not trying to be funny, but a policy that was effective 20 years ago, more than likely will not be effective in 2009-2010. If Pinkel wants to stay competitive in the Big 12 he has to go out and get experienced Coordinators who have proven they can handle the job at a D-1 program who has been competing at a high level for the past 4 years. Its only natural that a new Coordinator is going to have its pumps and bruises, however, it was poor judgment by Pinkel to allow inexperienced coaches handle such a young team. The combination of inexperienced coaches and young players is the reason I predict we will go 6-6 this season.
3. Pinkel: To keep it short--I have always believed that Pinkel was a transitional Coach. He is good enough to get the program out of the basement of the Big 12. But not the Coach that would lead this team to consistent Big 12 championship competitiveness. With that said...Pinkel is a decent recruiter and a mediocre coach.
4. University of Missouri and Mike Aldon: The extension that Aldon handed over to Pinkel was premature. You never give extensions and money when times are good (especially when your program hasn't consistently been competitive). Aldon in my opinion is such a push over Athletic Director. I want a Director who expects greatness and will accept nothing less. Aldon will accept mediocrity, and, therefore, we have a mediocre football program. If we continue on this road "MU" will soon stand for "Mediocre University".
As an alum I would rather see Pinkel go before we get to that!! Just my thoughts
November 9, 2009 at 6:08 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
muddyHanes says...
Oh..............my............God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 10, 2009 at 6:27 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
ZZuFan says...
Maybe Chase Daniel could get femur implants to make him 6'5" and he could get the surgery that Nicolas Cage/John Travolta got in that movie face/off. Then he could play QB for 2 more years as Blaine Gabbert.
AGAIN, some of you Pinkel-huggers thought at the beginning of the year that we would just reload. some of us rational people thought that was ridiculous. The only reason we had the two good seasons we did in the past 3 was because of Chase Daniel, Jeremy Maclin. Those kind of players don't come around often. We are simply a flash in the pan. Prepare to move back to the cellar with Colorado and Iowa State. I just hope we can maintain 11th place in the Big12.
If we do finish last in the Big12 I don't think we keep many recruits. Our 3 years above Nebraska was the only reason we got the ones we did.
November 11, 2009 at 1:50 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
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