The number 24 Missouri Tigers close out the non-conference portion of their schedule this afternoon as they take on the Miami University RedHawks in the first-ever meeting between the programs. Kickoff for the game, which is not on television, is set for just after 1:00 at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field.
Mizzou will be looking to to extend its school-record regular-season non-conference winning streak. The Tigers have won 20 straight non-conference regular-season games, with the last loss coming in 2005 to New Mexico.
 
The streak was severely put to the test last Saturday, as the Tigers trailed to upstart San Diego State, 24-20, and took over for one last possession on their own 12-yard line with just 1:21 left in the game.
 
What ensued were two pass plays that covered all 88 yards, including the last play that was a 68-yard pass from Blaine Gabbert to T.J. Moe that will live forever in the hearts of Tiger fans, as Moe streaked to the game-winning touchdown with just 51 seconds left to provide Mizzou the heart-stopping 27-24 win.
 
Mizzou’s challenge by The Mountain West’s San Diego State will no doubt provide inspiration for 2-1 Miami, of the Mid-American Conference. The Redhawks struggled in 2009 under first year Head Coach Mike Haywood, as they went just 1-11, but the Notre Dame graduate is looking like he’s getting things turned around.
 
Miami opened the year playing at 3rd-ranked Florida, and they held the Gators to just 26 total yards of offense through three quarters, and trailed just 21-12 entering the final period.
 
The Gators pulled away eventually for a 34-12 win, thanks to four interceptions on defense, including one that was returned 67 yards for a 2nd-quarter touchdown after Miami led 3-0 after the first 15 minutes of play.
 
Following that, Miami returned home for an early conference game against Eastern Michigan, and in a back-and-forth affair, tailback Thomas Merriweather scored the third rushing touchdown of the day midway through the 4th quarter for a 28-21 win.
 
Last Saturday saw the RedHawks score 31 unanswered points after falling behind at home to Colorado State, on the way to a dominating 31-10 win.
 
The Mizzou coaching staff will be wearing Coach to Cure MD patches this week to raise awareness and funding for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research. Fans are encouraged to donate on-line at www.CoachtoCureMD.org or donate five dollars by texting CURE to 90999.
 
This is the third year of the Coach to Cure MD program, and participation has grown each year. The goal is to raise money and awareness of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, which is the most common fatal genetic disorder among boys worldwide.
 
The program is a partnership between Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy and the American Football Coaches Association.
 
The Tigers and the RedHawks will kick off this afternoon at 1:07 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia.