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Mizzou goes pay-per-view for two home games

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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.

Tigers wrap up the summer with final scrimmage

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8-21_scrimmage.JPG Missouri football head coach Gary Pinkel said today’s scrimmage gave the second team a chance to get a lot of snaps and the team was able to work on special teams as the Tigers wrap up their three week training camp.

Pinkel was pretty happy with the way things went today and continued to praise the freshmen class that is coming in this fall.  While he wouldn’t point out playersindividually, he said he’s been pleased with their play, but wouldn’t elaborate on who may or may not be redshirted.

Pinkel added that he’s pretty happy with the offensive line and said that unit saw a little more action today in the scrimmage, much like last year’s defense did.  The offensive line is the most inexperienced part of this team after losing two of their top lineman.

Freshmen quarterback Blaine Gabbert took the majority of snaps with Chase Daniel sitting out and Chase Patton nursing a slight hamstring pull.  Gabbert at times looked like a freshmen.  In the span of seven snaps, Gabbert was intercepted, fumbled a snap and pitched the ball into the hands of a defender while running an option play.

However, Pinkel said it was good that Gabbert got "dirty."  In other words, it’s good to see how a young quarterback reacts to situations that come up when there are different skilled players on the field.  He said there is nothing wrong with seeing a little adversity.

The team takes Friday off, then has an intense practice on Saturday before beginning their typical pre-game weekly practice schedule ahead of the season opener on August 30th in St. Louis against Illinois.

Mizzou could play eight true freshmen

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Head coach Gary Pinkel So much has been made about the 17 returning starters for the Missouri Tiger football team, but head coach Gary Pinkel said after practice yesterday that as many as eight true freshmen could play this season.

Talk about depth on this team.  If it is true that in fact, eight true freshmen would see playing time this year, it would be the most of any Tiger team in the Gary Pinkel era.  The players that Pinkel talked about were tight ends Andrew Jones from Smithton and Michael Egnew who had three catches for 30 yards in Saturday’s scrimmage, offensive lineman Dan Hoch who was rated one of the top linemen in Iowa, receiver Jerrell Jackson and Gahn McGaffie, linebacker Will Ebner, defensive end Jacquies Smith, and long snapper Beau Brinkley.

Pinkel said this list is not etched in stone and it could change.  Nothing was said about freshman quarterback Blaine Gabbert, but he did take snaps with the number one unit against the number one defense and threw a 15 yard touchdown pass to Tommy Saunders and showed nice touch on a pass to Jeremy Maclin.

 

 

New Tigers make noise during scrimmage

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matey[1].jpg New and old faces stepped up big yesterday as the Tigers played their second scrimmage of the season in Farout Field.

Freshman receiver Wed Kemp made one of the biggest grabs of the day when a pass was rainbowed to the left sideline where three defensive backs were waiting and no receiver were in sight.  Kemp sprinted to the ball and made a jumping catch that had the entire offensive sideline roaring.

Freshman tight end Michael Egnew showed his strength as he grabbed a pass over the middle from quarterback Chase Daniel and dragged corner back  Tremane Vaughns with him for a 19-yard gain.

Quarterback Chase Patton picked up a great block on a corner blitz from the third team defense as he zipped a pass straight down the middle to waiting tight end, Jon Gissinger, for a 33-yard touchdown.

Running back Derrick Washington seemed to secure his starting position with a 20 yard run off the left tackle to open up the day on the very first play.

Late in the day, Sean Weatherspoon intercepted Patton for a second time resulting in a 30-yard pic-six.

But again, the highlight of the day came from the Jeremy Maclin-Chase Daniel duo. After Daniel became visibly frustrated on the previous series, he tossed a bomb down the right sideline that slipped through the defenders hands straight to Maclin, who jogged in for a 57-yard touchdown.

Both Brian Coulter and Jared Perry left the game with injuries.

Mizzou takes on two-a-days

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J-Mac2.jpg It is the time of year that middle school football players find out what it takes, high school players dread, and collegiate athletes relish.

Two-a-days.

The Tiger’s returned to Farout Field yesterday morning for a long workout, only to turn around a few hours later and do it again in the afternoon. 

The morning showed numerous shake-ups in the depth chart, as head coach Gary Pinkel and the rest of the staff still tries to figure out what the starting and second teams will look like before the first game in St. Louis against Illinois.  Senior Kurtis Gregory seems to be back at the guard spot, where he saw all of his playing time in 14 games last season, while Freshman Elvis Fisher moved into the number one spot at left tackle.

“We’re going to put our best players at the best spots, and that’s the way they are right now.” Pinkel says.

Freshman quarterback Blaine Gabbert moved ahead of redshirt freshman Jimmy Costello to play with the third team offense in the morning.  Gabbert’s afternoon, however, was different as he was watching the majority of the action in a red jersey with an injury to his right shoulder, the same one that troubled him in high school.  He had an MRI yesterday, no reports have been given on the results. 

In related injury news, Danario Alexander spent much of the day on the elliptical machine, however, he was running some sprints on the sidelines in the morning after being cleared to run full speed.   Van Alexander was putting on and taking off his red jersey all day, looking close to being ready to go after tearing his ACL in spring practices.  The Columbia native has been plagued with injuries throughout his Tiger career, but could be ready to play by the start of the season.

It is hard not to over-report on both quarterback Chase Daniel and wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, but the two look more comfortable than ever together, providing one of the day’s biggest highlights during one-on-one drills.  Maclin faked to the outside then streaked through the back of the end zone, where Daniel found him and zipped a pass to connect for a wide open touchdown. 

Listen to Gary Pinkel talk about practice

Mizzou’s X’s and O’s clinic set for August 23

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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.

Mizzou’s in full pads

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Gahn McGaffie 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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Download/Listen to Pinkel Interview

Time change for Tiger fan day

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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.

Tigers Fall Camp opens

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Mizzou Quarterbacks 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.