Aug. 14, 2014

Columbia, Mo. - The Mizzou Football team continued pre-season preparations for its 2014 season opener (Aug. 30^th against South Dakota State) with a morning practice in full pads Thursday on the Kadlec Athletic Fields.  The Tigers worked out for 2 ½ hours today and the defense held on to win the day in the team's practice scoring system, to maintain control of the black jerseys.

The team was treated to a speech after practice by proud Mizzou alum John Anderson of ESPN.  Anderson, a former high jumper in his days with the Mizzou track team, thanked the team for their efforts last season, and was quick to recognize junior DE Shane Ray for his fumble return which sealed the win over Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl.  Anderson's wife, Tamara, is an Oklahoma State graduate, so he thanked Ray for his play, which gave him family bragging rights.  Anderson is in town to help Mizzou take part in tonight's official launch of the SEC Network, as he'll be at the Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field press box to do interviews with Head Coach Gary Pinkel, Head Volleyball Coach Wayne Kreklow and sophomore QB Maty Mauk.  The launch show will run tonight on the SEC Network from 5-8 p.m. (central time), so be sure to check out the show.

Here were a few highlights from Thursday's 11-on-11 scrimmaging in red zone work:

• With the #2 offense going against the #1 defense, the defense held firm on three plays initially, but then freshman QB Eddie Printz was patient in the pocket on a later play and found freshman WR Lawrence Lee sitting down in the end zone for a touchdown of about 15 yards...
• Next up, the #3 offensive and defensive units squared off, and the highlight of the series came when junior QB Corbin Berkstresser did a nice job of buying time in the pocket by sliding to avoid pressure and finding freshman WR DeSean Blair for a 10-yard score...
• The #1 units faced off next, and a few highlights included a nice diving catch near the goal line by senior WR Jimmie Hunt, and a touchdown connection of about 10 yards from Mauk to Hunt on a 10-yard crossing route.  Senior TB Marcus Murphy had a 12-yard touchdown run to score for the offense, but the defense held their own as well, thanks to a pair of pass breakups by junior LB Kentrell Brothers - one in the corner of the end zone and one over the middle.  Brothers also combined with senior DT Lucas Vincent to snuff out a run attempt by junior TB Russell Hansbrough to tag him for a short loss on the play...

The Tigers will have movie day this afternoon, as they will have a choice of seeing either Hercules, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, or Lucy.  They'll return to the practice field Friday morning before their second full scrimmage of fall camp, scheduled for Saturday morning.

Stay tuned to www.MUTigers.com for continuing coverage of 2014 fall camp.