ASU 37 - Mizzou 30 (First Take)

The Tigers lose a close one in the desert.  Please let us know your reaction to the game, Tiger fans!

Josh's take:

Currently the adrenaline that is coursing through my veins has me so charged up I may not sleep tonight. The game was an emotional bomb that has me excited, angry, and emotionally drained.  I’m excited that Franklin and the offense looked much improved from last week.  I have to admit after last week I had some doubts about Franklin’s ability to step up and make clutch passes, but he did it repeatedly tonight, and I think this kid has a bright future.  I think a lot of concern has to be focused on our secondary that seemed exposed throughout the game and the penalties by both teams was exhausting and needless.  The 73 yard punt was maybe one of the most impressive plays I’ve seen so far this year!  I’m also excited that the Tigers didn’t give up.   

However, all that being said I am speechless and genuinely angry by Pinkel’s decision to call two successive timeouts prior to MU’s attempt to kick the winning field goal.  I have no idea what he was thinking and I can’t wait to hear his explanation.  I feel he didn’t help put us in a position to win and why were the Tigers passing prior to the field goal on 3^rd down – It was almost disaster!  I picked Arizona State, but my heart was pulling for Mizzou.  I am crushed by this defeat because I thought the Tigers really had it.  I think the Tigers, despite this loss, will have another solid year - but for now this game really hurt!  Please let us know your thoughts on the game.   

Zach's take: 

This game ended up too close for comfort for either team.  In a game marred by a tremendous amount of penalty yards on both sides, sophomore QB Franklin shines despite the loss.  Franklin looked confident and poised throughout, only breaking down and exiting the pocket prematurely on rare occasions.  The Mizzou coaches showed more confidence in their leader as well, dialing up a lot more passing plays.  Admittedly there were a few errant throws, but Franklin is improving much faster than expected.  Despite the fact that the Tigers lost, their future is bright.  It looks like Franklin will become the type of successful quarterback MU fans are used to.  

Arizona State looked good, particularly on offense.  They moved the ball down the field all night.  The Sun Devils finally picked up a big win over a ranked team, but if they want to stay on the national stage they need to fix the self-sabotaging behavior that led to well over 100 penalty yards.  It was a muffed punt recovered by MU that led to the Mizzou comeback - the Sun Devils blew a 14 point lead and a chance to add to it.  Penalties kept a long Mizzou touchdown drive alive, and also stalled an ASU offensive drive while the Tigers were in full swing.  They are lucky to come away with the win, such lack of discipline cannot be tolerated.   

Franklin offers a bright future, but for the moment all Tiger fans can focus on is two timeouts called by their head coach, and a field goal missed wide left.  

Look for the full article by Z. Lynn tomorrow.  Leave comments on your reaction to this over-time thriller.