Missouri Tigers quarterback Maty Mauk outruns the Kentucky Wildcats defense in the first quarter at Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri on November 1, 2014. Missouri defeated Kentucky 20-10. UPI/Bill Greenblatt
When Josh Henson took over as offensive coordinator, he talked about wanting the offense to become more vertical, by taking more chances downfield. That worked last year with receivers like DGB, L’Damian Washington and Marcus Lucas. With Jimmie Hunt and Darius White banged up, throwing deeper routes became a challenge for Mizzou and the offense looked pathetic during the middle of the season.
Henson has adjusted. The Tigers are using the run game to help open up the passing game. The results of that adjustment are starting to take shape after a 28-point third quarter against Texas A & M. Russell Hansbrough won SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his 199 yard performance and two scores.
Gary Pinkel talked about the adjustments on offense and how the season ending injury to running back Morgan Steward impacted their ability to just Marcus Murphy as an almost full-time wide receiver, which tells me the coaching staff was concerned about their lack of depth at wide receiver.