The University of Missouri and FSN announced today that Mizzou’s football games vs. Southeast Missouri State on Sept. 6 and Nevada on Sept. 13 will be televised live via pay-per-view.  The pay-per-view telecasts will be available on participating cable systems in the region and nationwide to satellite dish customers.  

The Sept. 6 game will kick off at 6 p.m. (central) from Faurot Field, with the Sept. 13 game scheduled for an 11:30 a.m. start.  These two games, the Tigers’ first in Columbia this season, were not previously scheduled for television coverage. 

Additionally, Mizzou has set the start time for its final home non-conference game against Buffalo on Sept. 20 for a 1 p.m. kickoff.  No television is currently scheduled for that game.

Suggested retail price for residential purchase for each of the games is $29.95.  FSN’s pay-per-view division will produce and distribute the telecast.  Additional information about how to purchase the telecasts, including a list of participating cable systems and satellite providers, will be announced leading up to the games.  Details for the Sept. 6 game will be posted on MUTigers.com, GoSoutheast.com and FoxSports.com (search: Missouri pay-per-view) as they become available. 

Participating cable and satellite providers will offer the telecasts to their customers on a specially designated pay-per-view channel.  It is expected that Charter, Time Warner, Mediacom, Suddenlink and many more cable providers, along with DirecTV and Dish Network, will offer the games.  Fans are encouraged to order prior to game day, since some cable systems may be busy taking last-minute orders on the day of the game.  The telecasts will not pre-empt FSN’s regularly scheduled programming.

The popular X’s & O’s Clinic hosted by Mizzou returns again this year. The 2008 clinic will take place Saturday, Aug. 23 in the Tiger Lounge at Memorial Stadium. The X’s & O’s Clinic will once again be hosted by Vicki Pinkel and Rockie Alden.Those in attendance for the women’s football clinic will enjoy brunch while watching a Mizzou football practice. Head Football Coach Gary Pinkel and the football team captains will also make a special appearance. Following the clinic, tours of the Mizzou Athletic Training Complex will be given.Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 23, with the program starting at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $35 and includes food, beverage and a gift. Mizzou Women’s Connection members receive one complimentary admission.To make reservations, contact Kristin Scott or Carly Northup at 573-882-0704. Space is limited.

During Mizzou’s first fall practice in full pads, backup quarterbacks were able to step up big in the absence of starter Chase Daniel, who was attending a funeral.

Daniel was replaced by senior Chase Patton on the first team offense, which left freshman Blaine Gabbert to swing between the second and third team offenses.

“Chase (Patton) did a real good job today. Anytime somebody’s not there it’s an opportunity for somebody else, and I felt without question that he did some good things and that Blaine (Gabbert) did some good things.” Head Coach Gary Pinkel says.

During one on one drills, senior Chase Patton connected with junior Jared Perry, who had slipped past the Tigers’ corner and into the end zone on a fly route up the sideline. 

Perry continued to impress the rest of day, ending on a high note when he caught a bullet in the back of the end zone during full team scrimmage situations. 

Not to be overshadowed by the offense, junior linebacker Sean Witherspoon, who was excited about being able to play full contact for the first time this season, made his name known throughout practice.

“Oh yeah, you always look forward to this day. Last night I kind of couldn’t go to sleep a little bit, I had the jitters and everything.  But it’s defiantly fun to get out here and knock some guys around,” Witherspoon says.

The Tigers will begin two-a-days tomorrow morning at 7:15 AM.

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Missouri’s Sixth Annual Football Fan Day, held Sunday, Aug. 10 at Faurot Field, will now begin at 3:45 p.m., with the team on the field until 5:15 p.m. Admission is free for the event.

At the conclusion of team photos at approximately 3:45 p.m., Stadium Gates 1 and 2W will open and Tiger fans will be directed to the field to meet their favorite Mizzou players and coaches and get autographs. Fans are asked to limit outside items for signing to one and to present only one item to each person. Free posters will also be available.

Free parking will be available around the Stadium and the Mizzou Sports Park.

Head Coach Gary Pinkel is ready to start the season, even if the weather is not.  After the first practice kicked off in the 109 degree heat index Monday afternoon, the team was forced to alter a few of their drills. "Today the tempo wasn’t quite as quick as normal, we tried to be smart, read body language, give a lot of water, and talk a little bit more than what you normally talk, which I don’t like, but you have to do that."

While they were only practicing in helmets and shorts, Jeremy Maclin credited the strength and conditioning staff on a job well done getting them ready for the first day of heat, "It’s a little hotter, but I think we are well prepared for it."

In spite of the weather, Maclin is optimistic about both his own talent developed in the off season, and the talent level of the incoming freshman players. He is excited about the chance to help the fresh faces learn the system of Mizzou football. 

Two of those most anticipated newcomers are freshman running back Drew Temple out of Rockhurst High School, and herald defensive end junior college transfer, Brian Coulter.  Coulter participated in a limited amount of drills due to an ankle injury earlier in the week.  Temple is rumored to be held up in the NCAA Clearinghouse and has yet to be seen at workouts or practices, however, Coach Pinkel expects him to be ready to go by early next week.