Missouri falls at home in Gary Pinkel’s final game in Columbia as head coach. Offense was awful, per usual, and defense decided at some point that they weren’t going to take it. Full story in the ESPN game wrap.
In honor of coach Gary Pinkel coaching his final game in front of his home fans, I decided to put together a list of some obvious and some not-so-obvious moments that helped define the Pinkel era. Enjoy.
No. 10: 21-14 win Vs. Arkansas, Nov. 28, 2014
It was the game that introduced the Arkansas rivalry back to Columbia. It was the game that saw Missouri secure its second SEC East division title in as many years. The win against Arkansas was gritty, and sent the Tigers to Atlanta for the second year in a row.
No. 9: 36-12 win Vs. kansas, Oct. 26, 2002
It wasn’t just that Pinkel was able to secure a win against kansas when all else was going bad in the 2002 season, but after the big win against our traditional rival, the players went and tore down the goalpost by themselves. Amazing moment to have seen, and certainly one for Pinkel to remember.
No. 8: 41-31 win Vs. Oklahoma State, Jan. 3, 2014
In what was an exhibition of defensive skill from Kony Ealy, Shane Ray and Michael Sam, one of the truly amazing games of the 2013 bowl season was played at the Jerry dome in Texas. Ray has the highlight of his career in that game and quarterback James Franklin got to go out a winner. Pinkel scored a big W against a former Big 12 foe, adding to SEC credibility.
No. 7: Debut of Brad Smith, Aug. 31, 2002
Mizzou fans flat out didn’t see it coming. They might have heard the name Brad Smith on the radio or from a buddy who really follows the team, but absolutely no one saw a true freshman come out and have such success against the reigning co-Big Ten Champs. Smith came out with another level of competition, and brought a serious run threat to the Tiger offense. 2002 would go on to be a rough season overall, but it would build the Tigers off of the ground and in to general conversation.
No. 6: 36-27 win Vs. Oklahoma, Oct. 23, 2010
ESPN College Gameday rolled in to Columbia for the first time, only for their 9+ year attendance record to be surpassed by the 18,000 that showed up to support Mizzou on Homecoming. The crowd remains a record. As for the game, Aldon Smith had an epic interception, but it was a team effort that brought a win over the No. 1 ranked team in the BCS, undoubtedly one of the greatest moments ever for Pinkel.
No. 5: 38-7 win Vs. Arkansas, Jan. 1, 2008
Tony Temple might still be running at the old Cotton Bowl. There was no answer for Chase Daniel and the Tiger offense in one of the most historic games ever for Mizzou football. On the other side of the ball, Heisman Trophy winner Darren McFadden was rendered absolutely useless against the stout Tiger defense. Pinkel was at the helm of a team who looked really good, and it was all his doing, a crowning moment for him professionally.
No. 4: 28-21 win Vs. Texas A&M, Nov. 30, 2013
Pinkel had some impressive wins over Texas A&M in the Big 12, but who could have ever dreamed that his biggest win against the Aggies would come in the SEC? And to win the SEC East, no less? Well, reality took hold on a huge night for Tiger great Henry Josey, who ran for the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter. Texas A&M brought Johnny Football to town, but Mizzou won its first division title in the SEC, a moment for the books of Missouri history.
No. 3: 41-24 win Vs. Nebraska, Oct. 11, 2003
It was THE win that…finally happened. After a childhood of not knowing what victory over Nebraska was like, Pinkel did it. And don’t let one Nebraska fan or pro-Big 12 guy try to cheapen this and say, “Well it wasn’t against Nebraska when they were really good…” because that’s malarkey. Nebraska was a top-10 ranked team and had the nation’s No. 1 defense at the time, total “blackshirt” era. It may have been the single greatest win, but No. 3 on this Pinkel countdown.
No. 2: No. 1 BCS ranking into Final Week, Nov. 25, 2007
It’s territory that many fans probably never even dreamed Mizzou could be in. Going into the final week of play in the season, the Tigers were ranked as the No. 1 team in the country in the only poll that mattered. This wasn’t some sort of preseason off-shoot, this was as real as it got. Unfortunately, Mizzou couldn’t get it wrapped up against Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game. But the moment is one that is the product of tireless work from coach Pinkel.
No. 1: 36-28 win Vs. kansas, Nov 24, 2007
Organizers that put together the Border War Showdown had no idea that ESPN Gameday would end up featuring the event. They also had no idea that it would become arguably the greatest moment in Mizzou history. The Undefeated and nationally ranked jayhawks were in line to play for a conference championship and national championship. That was all ruined in one night, in one game by a team coached by Gary Pinkel. It only amounts to one of his wins on paper, but will account for many more for years to come. Without question, the greatest Mizzou moment in the Gary Pinkel era.
Follow Mizzou Report on Twitter
It’s not one of the easiest decisions you can make, especially if you’re in your senior year. But sometimes social issues become more important than the game that athletes are involved in.
The strike on Saturday night by many of the Missouri players is a powerful statement by a group dissatisfied with how University of Missouri system President Tim Wolfe has handled racially tense issues over the past several months. Wolfe’s response has been to apparently not handle the issues at all.
But important to point out here is this: there is 100% positive support in everything surrounding this. No school administrators are condemning the move, no coaches are getting upset, players are supporting it, the media isn’t basting them as quitters during a down year. The strike has a very serious purpose and connection to many across campus, and it being done the right way.
Meanwhile, no word yet from the University on a potential move to replace Wolfe. Students continue to protest, which includes one man’s hunger strike that has gone on for several days now.
For the same reasons that Tiger fans loved seeing Marcus Murphy dawn familiar colors, Saints fans got a good glimpse of what their future may hold with a stunning 74-yard punt return by Murphy in the Saints game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday in Charlotte.
Murphy beats most of the coverage team by running to his left, and then makes the last man miss when he cuts back inside with a burst of speed. Murph may not be playing for Old Mizzou any longer, but he’s giving us reminders of what he used to do in Columbia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrOmQeBQn48
The Saints next play on October 4 in a big Sunday night contest at home against the Cowboys.
Kentucky. Not a pretty name to lose to, but one that’s really on the rise. And if that’s no comfort to you in this time of football despair, it may come as reassurance to know that junior quarterback Maty Mauk’s loss to the Wildcats on Saturday wasn’t far off from what every quarterback has dealt with before, the bad loss.
The situation is similar to what Chase Daniel went through in 2006. After falling to Oklahoma at home and losing their No. 23 ranking, Daniel proceeded to lose to Nebraska before losing to Iowa State…a Cyclone team that had lost six games in a row. This was by no means a good Iowa State team, and Chase Daniel–who is arguably the best quarterback in Missouri history–played a poor game against a bad team after tough losses with the pressure being on him.
Daniel would go on to lose in the Sun Bowl to Oregon State. He would go on next year to have one of the best seasons in school history and lead the team to a No. 1 BCS ranking going in to the final week of the season.
Of course, Mauk is taking a lot of unnecessary speculation as well. His receivers, while working hard and playing tough for the most part, have certainly blown routes in key moments that would have kept drives moving. But receiving is coming together as we speak. The question is will it come together well enough to compete for the East?
It’s tough to say. On top of Missouri beating Georgia on October 17 in Athens, the Dawgs would have to lose another conference game. But that could be this weekend against a hungry Alabama team.
But as far as Mauk goes, let us not get too wrapped up in the idea that he’s failing somehow; all of the best quarterbacks Missouri has ever had will face adversity. It’s the response and growth that will separate Mauk. He’s also orchestrated some of the best drives since Chase Daniel in some of the most critical moments.
Mizzou plays its next two at home, against South Carolina on October 3 and then Florida for Homecoming on October 10.
The Mizzou Report 