Homecoming humbling
Texas receiver Jordan Shipley avoids being stopped by Missouri defenders during the first half of the No. 3 Longhorns’ 41-7 victory over the Tigers Saturday night at Memorial Stadium. Shipley finished with seven catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns.
Published October 24, 2009 at 10:56 p.m.
Updated October 25, 2009 at 11:01 a.m.
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Yes, the Missouri Tigers are still mathematically alive in the wacky Big 12 North Division race. And yes, their next four opponents are hardly unbeatable.
Missouri’s Kendial Lawrence is stopped by Texas’ Keenan Robinson while the Tigers’ Austin Wuebbels gets a “noseful” from the Longhorns’ Lamarr Houston Saturday night.
But as the onslaught continued in last night’s 41-7 homecoming drubbing by No. 3 Texas, it became abundantly clear that Missouri’s season is just about to get interesting. The Tigers are 0-3 in Big 12 play for the first time since 2002 and now trudge into their far less grueling stretch with a big bold question mark hovering over the quarterback situation.
Already playing with a sprained right ankle suffered against Nebraska two weeks ago, Blaine Gabbert limped off the field last night with 8:39 left in the third quarter, needing help from teammates De’Vion Moore and Kurtis Gregory just to reach the sideline. Under fire from Texas’ devastating pass rush most of the night, Gabbert was flattened on a sack by Eddie Jones, ending his struggle of a night for good.
The next time Missouri gained possession, sophomore backup Jimmy Costello was the quarterback as Gabbert watched from the sideline. Costello finished the game, throwing two interceptions before the bludgeoning was complete.
Afterward, his foot in a cast and a protective boot, Gabbert was visibly frustrated by another round of questions about his ankle.
“I just got rolled up on a little bit,” Gabbert said. “Just irritated it a little bit. So, it was just all precautionary.”
Tigers Coach Gary Pinkel said Gabbert could have stayed in a more competitive game, but at the point Gabbert was pulled — against his wishes, Pinkel added — Missouri trailed 38-7.
“He was real upset we took him out. … If we could have been in position to score and get back in the game, we would have played him,” Pinkel said. “It was my call.”
Asked if he’ll play in Saturday’s game at Colorado, Gabbert replied tersely: “No doubt about it.”
If hope is what the Tigers (4-3, 0-3) want, they’ll have to find some in Boulder, Colo., where they face the Buffaloes (2-5, 1-4) on Saturday, the first of a four-game stretch that barely seemed daunting before the Tigers began spiraling. But with last night’s loss, Missouri has been outscored 101-24 in its last nine quarters, a streak of ineptitude that started with the fourth-quarter meltdown against Nebraska.
Against the Longhorns (7-0, 4-0), a team that looked every bit like a national title contender, the Tigers punted or turned the ball over on 10 of 11 possessions, managed just 11 first downs and 173 yards of offense, their fewest since switching to the no-huddle spread offense in 2005.
“They’re a pretty good team, but I don’t think they’re that much better than us,” MU tailback Derrick Washington said. “We just came out flat and couldn’t get anything going.”
Defensively, the Tigers weren’t much better as Texas scored touchdowns on five of its first six possessions, often taking advantage of communication breakdowns in the Missouri secondary, a common problem in 2008 that hadn’t surfaced yet this year.
As a result, Horns quarterback Colt McCoy might have renewed his Heisman Trophy campaign, completing 26 of 31 passes for 269 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.
“I can’t tell you how disappointed I am in our football team,” said Pinkel, now 0-5 against Texas. “And I’m responsible for getting those guys to play well. … It’s a pivotal point in the season, obviously. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. The sense of urgency has got to be here. But if we don’t start playing better, you’re never going to win a game.”
“I expect our team to play better than that,” Pinkel added. “I don’t care who we’re playing. I don’t care if it’s the New England Patriots.”
With a sold-out homecoming crowd of 71,004 on hand to witness Texas’ sixth consecutive win over Missouri, the Longhorns dominated the early stretches so thoroughly, at one point in the first quarter, the Horns had outgained Missouri in total yardage 170-1 while holding a 21-0 lead.
Texas didn’t need much time to begin the thrashing, starting with an 8-yard touchdown pass from McCoy to Jordan Shipley with 11:24 left in the first quarter. Following a Missouri three-and-out, a possession that ended quickly and ugly with Deon Beasley’s sack of Gabbert on a corner blitz, Texas marched back to the end zone, moving 62 yards on 10 plays.
Missouri appeared to have a stop early on the drive, but Texas pulled off a fake put near midfield, snapping the ball to Antwan Cobb, who picked up 3 yards for the first down. Six plays later, Fozzy Whittaker blasted off the left side of the Texas line for an 11-yard touchdown run.
The Tigers managed a first down on their next possession, but that was it. Texas mowed through Missouri again, revisiting the end zone on McCoy’s 34-yard touchdown toss to John Chiles, who coasted past cornerback Carl Gettis for the score.
Getting a spark from No. 3 tailback Kendial Lawrence, the Tigers scrambled together an 81-yard touchdown drive in the second quarter, breaking out a suddenly potent running game that gained 51 yards on seven carries. Gabbert finished the drive with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jared Perry.
The Longhorns answered, twice actually. McCoy piloted an 87-yard scoring drive, finishing with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Shipley in the face of a heavy blitz.
Missouri fizzled on its ensuing drive, setting up Jake Harry for a harrowing punt from deep in his own end zone. Naturally, the Longhorns engulfed Harry’s blocking as Curtis Brown blocked the punt and Malcolm Williams recovered it in the end zone for Texas’ seventh non-offensive touchdown of the season.
“The blocked punt, that was ridiculous,” Pinkel said. “There was nothing special on that.”
The first half looked much like Missouri’s trip to Texas last year, when the Longhorns exploded to a 35-3 halftime lead on the way to a 56-31 victory.
“We didn’t have to make any halftime adjustments,” MU linebacker Sean Weatherspoon said. “We just weren’t executing the plan.”
Texas stayed out of the end zone in the second half, but the Tigers never recovered from the early struggles. On Texas’ first possession of the third quarter, Missouri’s defense turned a rare Texas miscue into rare promising field position when Weatherspoon intercepted McCoy near midfield. But the Tigers didn’t come close to capitalizing.
Texas smothered a clumsy trick pass from tailback back to Gabbert for a 10-yard loss. Then, after a Gabbert incomplete pass, Jones ripped down Gabbert from behind for Texas’ second sack and the last bit of agony for Gabbert. He didn’t see the field again, completing 8 of 15 passes for 64 yards.
Now, still stuck in the bottom of the Big 12 North and with their quarterback still hobbled, the Tigers’ journey heads west. And time for urgency is now.
“We’ve run out of time,” Pinkel said. “There’s no time left. I can’t be more blunt than that.”
Reach Dave Matter at 573-815-1781 or e-mail dmatter@columbiatribune.com.
20 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.
Cards47 says...
If the Tigers want respect they're going to have to play better football then this.
If the first team QB is hurt, you have the second sting practice and start. So maybe the first team QB can get healthy. Poor Management.
The only team the tigers stand a chance with is Baylor and if we win that game it will be by 3 or less.
The Tigers will be watching the Bowl games this year.
October 25, 2009 at 12:12 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
SethDaniel says...
I do believe we've made a grave mistake with Mr. Yost. I've never seen such miserable plays setting up good players for failure. Let alone the timing on running these suicide missions. Please stop having Gabbart run the ball when he can barely move. It's almost laughable now for the third game IN A ROW to see him run the ball with a LIMP.
I think this Tigers team has a lot of tools to be good. That's the funny thing. They've been coached out of at least two wins this year SO FAR. I just wish they made it fun watching them lose. At least make a game of it or something. The most prolific offense in the country over the past few years has been turned into an ice cream cone in six months. Yost was good with QBs. I reserved my judgement on him unlike others here, but it's painfully obvious now he's not got the tools for this assignment. If an emergency change is not made this season, then we better get used to this and we better hope he can learn the trade before this talented set of players graduates.
October 25, 2009 at 6:31 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
rcruter says...
playcalling is a difficult skill and entirely different than being a position coach and Yost has proved he has no clue at all nor aptitude for the job. saw opening possesion for tigers, deep sideline pass where blaine was sailing everything last week, check terrible call. predictable (everyfan watching knew what was coming) very slow developing running play to where the back was pting crushed for no gain of course, check terrible call. passing when you don't have a hot receiver for when they blitz, of course they blitzed, hard hit on the sack of your injured qb, check priceless. Dave might be cool and all but calling plays? I don't think so. Pinkel has to go out and find a professional spread offensive coordinator for next year, one who will come with a better scheme adn know how to call plays that work.
for first time Steck was totally unprepared and did a bad job. not popping shipley at the line? having a safety covering shepley onthe red zone and way back in endzone just watches him catch the ball and walk in? shame dave, didn't you guys watch any tape at all of OU's game? they showed you how to play them, very dissapointing. we knew yost was not up to it but we hoped steck was.
game was unwatchable, turned off after one possesion each and turned on the other competitive games that were on. dvred it for when I can stomach the incompetence of the coaches.
October 25, 2009 at 7:16 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
markie99 says...
Amen Rcrter
Pinkel has shown the ability to recruit good enough talent to compete with the likes of Ou and Tx. If Ron Prince with a terrible bunch of players can win against both of these teams, then so Can Mizzou.
It comes down to Management and Coaching. Yost is in over his head. And Pinkel is a stubborn @#$@$, That refuses to go outside his nest that he controls to find an OC and DC that have their own minds and the schemes and play calling necessary to compete on the National Level
If that happens, then we can be on some footing of National prominence. Otherwise look for 7-9 wins with 4 of those coming against 1AA schools.
And the Toilet Bowl every December
Enjoy the Flush
.
October 25, 2009 at 8:34 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
JAZZMAN says...
I am sick of these night games. They are bad for fans, they are bad for local businesses, and they certainly do not help the image of the Tigers when they are outplayed. The University, however, loves the dollars from espn & abc. It's not about fans, players, or the local community.....it is all about money.
October 25, 2009 at 10:31 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
hermarine says...
Jazz... ofc NCAA football is about the money. OFC it is. BCS, bowls, confrence Championship games, TV contracts, coach salaries, facility upgrades. Its so much about the money.
but what has that to do with MU-TX... Night games have been played since lights were invented. I love night games personally, not a fan of early drives and early tailgates. Glad to see you have your opinion, just not sure its appropo.
Semper Fi
October 25, 2009 at 11:25 a.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Michael_Diver says...
I stopped taking Missouri football seriously after the Nebraska game. I haven't seen anything since to change that view (including from Nebraska).
I turned off the game at 21-0, which didn't take long, and watched Iowa-Mich State. That, at least, was competitive and exciting.
October 25, 2009 at noon ( link | suggest removal )
RK11111111111 says...
You know how the story goes. For want of a horseshoe a horse was lost...
I really don't understand coaches who stick to their stars so much. Maybe I was always a sideline player, but spread it around maybe you can attract better second string players if they have some hope of playing, but leave him in there leave him there is no hope. No back up plan no fresh legs no alternative, all is lost football is futile.
But I guess so many people paid money to see Blaine play, they got what they wanted.
Basketball season is starting Woo!
October 25, 2009 at 12:10 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Pawn says...
How about raising the ticket prices, revamping the parking passes again, and shutting down a few more parking areas like the road to the presidents house and reactor field? I suggest this because there are still a few fans left. Most of us have been ran off because Pinkel (who is a good coach, not a great coach) had two lucky years. When the wealthy get tired of paying for this level or performance, who will purchase the tickets? I think there will be plenty of "deals" on tickets for the Arrowhead game!
Thanks alot!
October 25, 2009 at 1:15 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
MU21 says...
As a former MU player, I've grown increasingly tired of watching our defensive backs not playing tight coverage or man to man. You cannot let any receiver with any kind of ability run down the field untouched or unimpeded. The bend but don't break rule doesn't work against top rank opponents that has been proven over and over again. (see our record v. OU or UT) Furthermore, to add insult to injury, Gettis's attitude & behavior was completely unacceptable. They should have put his ass on the bench and move on to the next player. He was clearly beaten.......on several plays, not to mention, missed tackles. To be that disrespectful on national tv was not only an embarrassment to him, but our program as a whole. Any elite player, at any level, must learned to control his emotions in a pressure situation.....obviously Gettis is not an elite player. I am all for expressing your opinions but there's comes a time where you need to listen to your coach and be responsible for you lack of effective play. When he views the film today, I hope he will be man enough to apologize to the coach and his teammates.
October 25, 2009 at 2:06 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
MU21 says...
Oh yeah, can someone please explain to me why we have a freakin' walk on as back QB and a true freshman as the 3rd option. We are a D1 program who have gaping holes in our roster! (also see the depth at DT) Furthermore, I like D Wash but Moore and Lawrence fit the offensive scheme better. They are quicker to the point of attack and look to be more elusive.
On a positive note, the O line looks much improved and seemingly to have worked out the kinks. They looked more powerful than UT defensive line.....great job!
But let me regress, please, please stop putting Gabbert on the move w/ a bad wheel. Don't call a play for him to run, roll out or where he has to hold the ball.
Also, how in the hell can a punt team over power our D Line.....did anyone notice that? They pushed us back at a crucial moment in the game where we could have stop the bleeding...at least temporarily.
This is totally humiliating and a horrible representation of our program!
October 25, 2009 at 2:21 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Thomas says...
You're right jazzman, nationally televised night games are terrible for local businesses because visitors stay in Columbia hotels and eat at local restaurants, rather than drive home to KC and St. Louis the same night. Not to mention those obnoxious shout-outs to Shakespeare's and Harpo's.
Much better to start the games early and get all these dreadful visitors out of town before they start spending any money. The national exposure to the beautiful Mizzou campus is awful, too. You sure nailed it.
October 25, 2009 at 2:40 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
charlesthegreat says...
I've been around a fair number of years, and have attended sporting events both pro and collegiate in all the major sports. As my wife and friends can attest, I never, NEVER leave before the end of the game. That is until yesterday. As the 1st half was coming to a close, I picked up my stadium chair, turned to my wife and said, "Let's go." What I had witnessed up to that point (just before the blocked punt for a touchdown debacle) was a total breakdown by players (inability to execute) and coaches (inability to make adjustments/call plays). It is apropos that the largest cheer from the crowd last night was for the introduction of the Big 12 Champion basketball team. And we were not alone in leaving: it was a virtual stampede out of the gates at half-time. There are two more home games and my guess is that Mizzou will be lucky to draw 50,000. I'll be there; after all I'm not going to let my season tickets "go to waste"; and besides, I doubt I can sell them at this point.
October 25, 2009 at 3:31 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Kurt88 says...
I actually thought the play calling was decent in this game. We stuck with the run and had some success, particularly on the touchdown drive. If we had thrown more, the final score would have been even worse. You have to try a few trick plays against this type of opponent. The problem is talent deficit, not a play calling deficit. It doesn't matter what play you call if you can't execute it against better athletes. No reason we can't win some or all of the remaining games, but if we decide we're done now, then we won't win any of them.
Dave, not fair to bip Costello on at least one of the INT's. Perry should have caught the first one.
October 25, 2009 at 3:45 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
MUgraduate says...
Take Gabbert out and let him heal. He was our main weapon when healthy.
October 25, 2009 at 3:59 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
eyedr says...
stevo7255 who said.."I like Pinkel and think he should stay, but you have to coach your team up and chime in if your coordinators are sucking. Don't be buddies with em, be a boss! If you can't adjust to make the most out of a big game then you don't deserve to get paid for that particular game.
And
jerry5 who said...."As much as I hate to say it. If I were coach Pinkel, I would schedule a full contact 45 minute scrimmage on Monday to find out who want's to play. There was way to many players I saw give up on plays Saturday night. You've got to bring the wood each and every play if you want to win.......period! Let the most physical players get spots. At this point it doesn't matter if they get hurt if they're not giving 110% it doesn't matter anyway. Gary you've got to do something to light a fire under the ass of these players. It's time to coach up, and forget about team meetings and schedules.
These guys hit the nail on the head.
Gabbert is young and will mature if he can stay healthy.
But the rest of the team looks like they have no idea what's going on and like they have no communication wih the other coaches.
Pinkel get your coaching staff on the job or give some money back to the University.
Boy I sure hope Anderson and Tiger basketball doesn't have a year like this after loosing so much talent.
It's kind of embarrassing to go to work on Monday and say your a Tiger Alum!
October 25, 2009 at 9:51 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
nilsheadley says...
Time to warm-up the time machine and go back to the point in the Nebraska game when Gabbert gets injured. When you ask the doctor how his ankle is, don't ask "can he do any further damage if he plays?" Instead ask, "How much time would it take to heal if he continues to play versus if he doesn't?"
October 25, 2009 at 10:31 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
Pieceofcake says...
I am sorry but this weekend was about the most disappointing I can remember. I feel like I was taken. We filled the stadium, spent lots of money including $ 69 a ticket and saw a pitiful game. I have never felt so disgusted. I have watched 8 weeks of football this year with plenty of so so teams playing top teams and at least it was a game. Playing call - pathetic. Team energy - almost non-existent. Pinkel says he has to start coaching better but it the same thing we have seen all season. No adjustments, predictable play calling and a team that does not seem ready. Much more of this and my TSF contributions are going to be in jeopardy. Sorry to be so negative but this was truly an embaressing game which unfortunately the whole country was able to see until they switched it to another game for obvious reasons.
October 26, 2009 at 12:36 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
BlogDaddy says...
Embarrassed? Hardly. I attended MU during the Bob Stull years. THAT was embarrassing.
The simple remedy for all of your bitterness is to lower your expectations, people. We are not Texas, OU, or Florida. MU won 3 games per season for five straight years when I was a student, and I had a great time going to the games. Parking was free, tailgating was not over-regulated, tickets were cheap, and the stadium was never overcrowded. If the Tigers keep losing like this, home football Saturdays in Columbia might be fun again someday.
October 26, 2009 at 1:42 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
MizzouMarv says...
BlogDaddy, you're being facetious, right? If you get your wish all the drunks can go back to watching the game for 30 minutes and tailgating for 6 hours. The guy who hates night games would be happy, too. All our games will be at 1:00 because they'll never be on TV (remember that?). Sorry if it's not convenient or cheap to be a winning program, but I kind of like it.
We lost the NU game because Gabbert got hurt (probably the OSU game too). Evidently, Pinkel thinks he gives us a better chance to win (even injured) than Jimmy does. Maybe he's making a mistake, but I give him the benefit of the doubt. We have a new OC, DC & lost 23 seniors (6 players to the NFL); be patient. The TX game was a terrible performance, but that happens. Look at the Angel's elimination game against the Yankees. The teams are nearly evenly matched yet the Angel's looked like they had no clue. I'm waiting to see how the rest of the season plays out.
October 27, 2009 at 3:30 p.m. ( link | suggest removal )
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