Missouri’s expectations dampen opener

By John Hillman  |   Monday, September 01, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

Missouri Tigers
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In college football, beating a top-20 team by 10 points should produce jubilation. However, Missouri’s 52-42 win over Illinois means a trip back to the drawing board for the Tigers.

Although the Illini never seriously challenged the nation’s sixth-ranked team Saturday, Missouri entered the contest with high expectations. After last season’s record-setting 12 victories, the Tigers envision nothing less than a Big XII title in 2008 and even a possible national championship matchup.

Against Illinois, quarterback Chase Daniel completed 26-of-43 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns but threw an interception that defensive lineman Derek Walker returned 34 yards for a score. Missouri’s offense also stalled on four straight possessions in the fourth quarter, and the Tiger defense allowed the Illini to bounce back from a 45-20 deficit.

“We’d like every game to be a blowout,” Daniel said. “But now we know that there are a lot of things we need to be better. It comes with the expectations around here. We know we could have played better and we should have played better.”

The victory almost cost the Tigers a valuable offensive weapon. Midway through the fourth quarter, sophomore receiver and kick returner Jeremy Maclin hobbled off the field. Medical personnel carted him to the X-ray room, but the examination revealed only an ankle sprain and no broken bones or torn ligaments.

“That was good news to me and to Mizzou fans,” head coach Gary Pinkel said. “I can’t speculate whether he’ll be out two days or two weeks – but the good news is he’s OK.”

Prior to his injury, Maclin erased a 13-10 Iliinois lead with a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and returned a punt 46 yards to set up another Missouri TD.

Several other Tigers performed well before the 66,441 fans, the largest crowd to view a collegiate game in St. Louis' Edward Jones Dome. Tight end Chase Coffman snared nine passes for 120 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown catch, and running back Derrick Washington rambled for 130 yards on 18 carries and scored twice.

However, Missouri’s secondary created doubts as Illinois quarterback Juice Williams threw for 458 yards and five touchdowns. Four of the five burned the Tigers on deep routes, and Williams victimized virtually every Missouri defensive back.

The Tigers get three chances to fine-tune their offense and defense before engaging Big XII foes. Southeast Missouri State, Nevada and Buffalo don't present strong challenges, and Missouri should be in top form for its conference opener when it meets Nebraska in Lincoln on Oct. 4.

“I feel great that we won the game,” Pinkel said. “We have a lot of things we can improve to get better, and that’s where our focus in going to be.”

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About John Hillman

John Hillman graduated from Baylor University in 1974 with a BBA in accounting and earned an MBA from Baylor in 1987. He worked for accounting firms until 1982 when he became the chief financial officer for an independent insurance claims adjusting service, a position he still holds today....
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