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Here are some quick initial thoughts from Missouri’s impressive 38-10 win against UCF on Saturday.
What It Means: Missouri does enough things really well to mask its flaws against most every team in the country. The Tigers have blitzed two good smaller-conference teams in back-to-back weeks with a typically productive offense and a disruptive defense.
What I Liked: The Tigers may have the best defensive line in the SEC. The pass rush is fierce, and the Tigers got pressure from the interior of the line Saturday in addition to the stud defensive ends. Maty Mauk now has accounted for 13 touchdowns in three games this season, managing four touchdown passes despite just 144 passing yards against a tough UCF secondary.
Missouri’s run defense shut down William Stanback (14 carries for 30 yards) despite giving up some decent runs to quarterback Justin Holman and receivers Rannell Hall and Josh Reese. Duron Singleton put the exclamation point on the game with a bone-jarring hit on Holman followed by a fumble return for a touchdown on the next play. The Tigers dominated the fourth quarter.
What I Didn’t Like: UCF nearly held a 14-minute advantage in time of possession through three quarters. The Knights probably should’ve held a halftime lead, but couldn’t finish off a pair of drives. Rannell Hall (12 touches, 87 yards) is a template for some of the athletic receivers Missouri will face in the SEC this year, and he could’ve had an even bigger day if Holman has time to get him the football. The Tigers offense scored twice and turned the ball over once its first five possessions before finally finding a groove.
Key Play: Missouri led 14-10 late in the third quarter in a stagnant game. Then Josh Augusta got a paw on a Justin Holman pass, snatching it out of the air for an interception. Mauk threw his third touchdown pass four plays later to give the Tigers a 21-10 lead, and UCF’s offense floundered playing from behind.
What’s Next: Missouri (3-0) hosts Big Ten member Indiana next week in the non-conference finale. The Hoosiers feature quarterback Nate Sudfeld, running back Tevin Coleman and a suspect defense.
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
