Aug. 25, 2009
Columbia, Mo. -
Following two days off, the Missouri Tiger Football team got back to practice Tuesday afternoon with a full-pad workout on the Kadlec Athletic Fields. The session went for nearly two-and-a-half hours and was what Coach Gary Pinkel called a “good, spirited practice,” as the days are counting down to the 2009 season opener on Sept. 5th with Illinois.
The offense reclaimed the black jerseys that go to the winning side each practice, breaking a string of six straight wins by the defense. Sophomore QB Blaine Gabbert had a productive day, with highlights coming scoring passes to WR Danario Alexander from nine yards out and again from two yards out, with both coming against the number one defensive unit. Gabbert also had a rhythm with WR Jared Perry on Tuesday, as the duo connected for several completions that came on 3rd-down scrimmaging situations.
Sophomore QB Jimmy Costello also had some nice completions on the day, hooking up with WR Jerrell Jackson numerous times for gains of around 10 yards. He also found TE Michael Egnew for a couple of first downs, and later got a ball to WR Rolandis Woodland on a quick hitter that Woodland took for some 30 yards before the whistles blew the play dead.
The Tiger tailbacks had some nice runs as well, with Derrick Washington picking up several first downs, including a sweep right that he took home for a four-yard touchdown to cap a redzone series against the number two defense. De'Vion Moore was also seen breaking off some tough runs, as he had several carries that went for between 8-12 yards each. Freshman TB Kendial Lawrence had a big run late in the scrimmaging against the number two defense, going for about 20 yards before junior S Jarrell Harrison came up to lay the hit of the practice on him. Lawrence was knocked backward with the big shot, but he secured the ball the whole time.
Some defensive highlights included a QB hurry by DT Jaron Baston, a nice pass break up in the endzone by CB Kevin Rutland, tackles for loss by LB Sean Weatherspoon, DE Aldon Smith and DT Dominique Hamilton.
The Tigers will hold another afternoon practice Wednesday, prior to the final scrimmage of training camp, set for Thursday afternoon on Faurot Field. That scrimmage will signify the end of the 2009 training camp. Stay tuned to mutigers.com for continuing camp details.
