Look for more run plays from Maty Mauk when Mizzou hosts the Huskies (photo/Mizzou Athletics)
With a game against BYU coming up later in the season at Arrowhead Stadium, the Missouri offense has one more non-conference game to figure out the offensive issues that have plagued the team in the first two weeks of the season, before the start of SEC play. The Tigers are back home for an 11 a.m. kick against the UConn Huskies, in the first ever meeting between the two teams on the gridiron.
In the first half of last week’s 27-20 win at Arkansas State, Maty Mauk had a 27 yard gain on the ground. Other than that big scramble, the Mizzou run game produced just 12 yards on their 12 other carries.
So what is the issue? The injury to Russell Hansbrough is having a bigger impact than expected? Is the offensive line overrated? Does the lack of a consistent passing game hurt the ground game?
Joining me to help look at the issues is Seth Merenbloom, Managing Editor campuspressbox.com and podcast co-host of SEC 411.
Seth also gives us his surprises and disappointments through the SEC after two weeks. Plus, we do talk about the dominating Mizzou defense that should give the Huskies fits. Take a glance at some of the interesting stats.
-Through two weeks, Mizzou leads the SEC in scoring defense, allowing only 23 points (11.5 per game).
Mizzou also leads the SEC in total defense, yielding only 418 total yards, good for an average of 209 yards
per game and 3.0 yards per play. The next closest team in the SEC is Arkansas at 261 yards per game and 4.5
yards per play.
-Mizzou leads the SEC in passing defense by a wide margin, giving up only 180 yards through the air over
the first two weeks. Second-place Texas A&M has yielded 160 passing yards per game while the Tigers are
only giving up 90 passing yards per contest.
-Mizzou is tied for second in the SEC in opponent first downs, having allowed only 28 thus far. LSU leads
the league with 27 while Arkansas and Florida have also only given up 28.
-Mizzou held Arkansas St. to only 217 total yards on Saturday and just 37 total yards after halftime.
The 15 tackles for loss by Mizzou last Saturday at Arkansas State are the most in a single game since 2002
(16 vs. Texas A&M that year).
-Mizzou leads the nation in tackles for loss with 25 on the year – highlighted by Charles Harris’ 6.0 this
season. Harris is second in the nation in TFLs. Harris had the most TFLs by a Tiger since 2007 last Saturday
vs. Arkansas State.
