Mizzou junior defensive end Kony Ealy

Mizzou junior defensive end Kony Ealy

On one side of Mizzou’s starting defensive line is senior defensive end Michael Sam, up for several postseason awards.  On the opposite side of the line is junior DE Kony Ealy, who made his presence felt in Mizzou’s 48-17 win at Kentucky back on Nov. 9, with a three sacks.  Ealy has really been doing it all season. Ealy’s 6.5 sacks ranks fourth in the SEC, and with Sam at the top of conference with ten, Mizzou makes up two of the SEC’s Top 5 in sacks.  Ealy also leads Mizzou in QB hurries with 13.

Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace is a pass first signal caller, but whether he checks down and dumps off screen passes or takes off and runs, Ealy says his approach to getting to the QB doesn’t change.  “I’m gonna go harder,” says Ealy.

Ealy’s  five pass breakups also leads the team, including that deflection at Indiana in the second quarter of Mizzou’s 45-28 win. Ealy came away with an interception, as the 6-5, 275-pound Tiger took the football back 49 yards for his first career pick and touchdown.

Mizzou will need a steady does of Ealy in the Ole Miss backfield this evening.