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Mizzou doesn’t necessarily want to travel to Jonesboro, Ark., but the Tigers have an opportunity to extend a streak this weekend.
The Tigers take on Arkansas State looking for an 11th straight road victory, a streak that dates back to 2012. Neutral site games such as the SEC Championship in Atlanta aren’t counted among Mizzou’s road games.
Here are five players to watch when Missouri takes on Arkansas State:
1. Missouri WR Wesley Leftwich – Out Week 1 with a strained knee, the Tigers expect one of their returning contributors from 2014 to start in Jonesboro. Leftwich wasn’t exactly a revelation when filling in at X last season, but he’s a rare senior presence on a young receiving corps. He likely won’t gain the more yards than J’Mon Moore or Nate Brown on Saturday, but look for Mizzou QB Maty Mauk to target Leftwich often as the receiver returns to action.
2. Arkansas State DE Ja’Von Rolland-Jones – Now it’s time for Missouri’s offensive line to be tested, and the sophomore pass rusher is the perfect non-FCS player to do it. Rolland-Jones showed incredible athleticism en route to tallying 7 1/2 sacks in 2014, and leads a defensive front that ranked 21st in the nation in sacks. If Missouri’s reshuffled O-line can nullify Rolland-Jones, the Tigers won’t have to worry too much about future pass protection.
3. Missouri RB Morgan Steward – Missouri fans are mostly excited about getting Russell Hansbrough back for this game (the starting running back is listed as questionable on the team’s depth chart but said he would play). Steward, though, has something to prove after a lackluster first game for the Tigers. The junior only gained 14 yards on five carries against Southeast Missouri State. Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said Steward is still recovering from a hip injury but “is getting better.” Expect Steward to get more chances Saturday should Missouri earn a big lead.
4. Arkansas State QB Fredi Knighten – Although he struggled mightily in Week 1 against No. 8 USC, Knighten is regarded as one of the better quarterbacks in the smaller conferences. He was a first team all-conference selection last season after putting up 3,277 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also scored 11 rushing touchdowns.
5. Missouri DB Aarion Penton – Penton never was going to be able to follow up former Tiger Marcus Murphy’s production as a punt returner, but the cornerback will want to build off a Week 1 performance where he returned one punt for 41 yards but was stalled during the other three. Pinkel said Penton “has a little ways to go” in that department, but Penton will look to have a field day against Knighten, who threw two interceptions against USC.
Mike Shaw is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football, Missouri, Texas A&M and Arkansas. Follow Mike on Twitter @michaelvshaw
