Despite Loss, Tigers' Future is Bright

Well, it was close.

 

This was the kind of back-and-forth game that causes heartbreak for both sides throughout, but in the end it was the hearts of Tiger fans that were torn to pieces as Franklin's last pass in overtime fell into the corner of the end zone.  The Sun Devils endured with a 37-30 edge.  At the start of the 4th quarter, Arizona State held a 30-16 lead.  Franklin led the Mizzou offense down the field and scored twice to tie the game, and moved the ball again to set up a potential game-winning field goal from 48 yards out.  Pinkel's questionable decision to seemingly ice his own kicker, twice, (calling two timeouts just before the kick) undoubtedly outraged Mizzou fans.  But in the end the kick hooked left, and the captains headed onto the field for the overtime coin toss.  ASU went on offense first and hooked up for the score, and their defense held.  The Sun Devils won a heartbreaker in the desert.

- Questionable coaching leads to a missed FG that forced OT, ending what would have been a remarkable Tiger comeback.  The Sun Devils hang on 37-30.

Tiger fans are hurt.  They're confused.  Missouri's 22-game non-conference win streak is finally snapped.  But the outlook is not all bad.  Missouri recovers at home this week with what should be an easy victory over FCS opponent Western Illinois, and with the vastly improved play of QB Franklin, the offensive numbers should be more like what Tiger fans are used to.  Though the "1" in the loss column is a number Tiger fans haven't seen in the first four weeks of the season for a very long time.

- The Tiger's 22-game non-conference win streak is snapped.

The numbers were almost completely even, down the final score.  The Tigers had 24 first downs to ASU's 25, and outgained the Sun Devils just 501 to 492.  Both teams looked unimpressive on third down, each converting only 3 - though the Tigers faced 3rd down 15 times to ASU's 9.  Both teams also put up outrageous numbers in another category - penalty yards.  Missouri had 11 penalties for 114 yards, and ASU had 12 for 110.  With both teams giving up the length of the football field in penalties, flags undeniably contributed to the outcome of the game.  The Sun Devils have struggled with penalties and lost many close games because of it, but the same behavior is uncharacteristic of Missouri.  It allowed the Sun Devils to stay in the game despite their own foolish mistakes.  It was one such mistake - a muffed punt recovered by MU (right after ASU took a 14 point lead) - that led to Missouri's comeback.            

- After a muffed punt, ASU penalties kept a Mizzou touchdown drive alive, then stalled ASU's offense, leading to another MU score to tie the game.

While last week's game was a discouraging win for the Tigers, this game should be very encouraging despite the loss.  Franklin has matured as a player and a decision maker by leaps and bounds in the past 6 days.  He finished the day with 2 passing TD's, a rushing TD, and zero interceptions.  His leadership was impressive as he led the Tigers towards victory late in the 4th.  The field goal and the coaching decisions surrounding it were not under Franklin's control.  I was most impressed with how good Franklin looked good throwing the ball, missing his targets outright on very rare occasions.  More impressive still than his accuracy was his confidence.  He looked comfortable throwing the ball, and when scrambling kept his eyes down-field instead of immediately tucking and running.  The MU coaching staff had more faith in their sophomore QB as well, putting the game on his arm more often than his legs.  It will be interesting to see how this Missouri team fares in conference play under the leadership of this talented young man. 

- Franklin finished the night with 2 passing TD's, a rushing TD, and no interceptions.  His confidence throwing the ball was encouraging for Tiger fans.

After Mizzou's win over Miami Ohio, I criticized the Missouri defense when most praised them.  Arizona State's excellent quarterback play exposed the MU secondary yet again.  It is difficult to defend a successful passing attack led by a talented QB, but a little tighter coverage wouldn't hurt.  On ASU's first 3 drives they moved the ball very successfully through the air, resulting in 10 points (1 TD, 1 FG, 1 missed FG).  On their fourth drive of the game, they went over the top on the very first play and hooked up for a 60 yard TD pass.  Missouri's defense tightened up in the second half, but it was the superior speed of ASU's receivers, their ability to make plays in space, and the play of ASU's talented quarterback that allowed them to continue scoring points. ASU QB Osweiler finished the day with 353 passing yards and 3 touchdowns.  (ASU receiver Jamal Miles even finished the day with a passing TD on a trick play).  

- Early in the game ASU shredded the MU secondary with ease, but the MU defense tightened up after the half.  Still, much improvement will be needed to stop Big 12 offenses. 

Missouri fans may be heartbroken, but they have to be looking forward to the future.  Franklin has answered the question mark that hovered over his head this preseason.  Ultimately the loss to non-conference ASU doesn't impact the Tigers too much.  They will look to rebound strong in conference play, and with Franklin continuing to develop, there's always next year to look forward to.     

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. 

Sun Shines Brighter Than Tiger Stars

(Mizzou quarterback James Franklin awaits the call)

Roasting in the sun, downing water after water to no avail, I started to think I may not be able to make it through the first half of today's Missouri - Miami (Ohio) game.  I have to imagine the oppressive heat was partially responsible for the lackluster play on the field.

Both teams looked, well, terribly average.  Mizzou netted a meager 291 yards, and the Redhawks weren't far behind with 270, most of them through the air.  The Tigers managed a W with a 17-6 edge, but their play has not inspired the Tiger faithful - though it shouldn't necessarily discourage them entirely. (I said entirely). 

We'll begin with quarterback James Franklin, since all eyes are on him.  His performance was nothing other than what all of us expected - he can run the ball, and struggles with the pass.  The good news is he is a very strong runner who could actually do damage to defenses, rather than the type of quarterback who can occasionally scramble out of a broken-down play.  The problem is that you cannot win games that way, especially when opposing defenses know it's coming.  The few times Franklin did go to the air made me wonder if he wouldn't be better suited at a different position. - But let's not get ahead of ourselves.  Franklin was reportedly very hard on himself after his performance, but this pessimism is unnecessary.  He finished the day with a  rushing TD, a passing TD, and 1 interception.  On an uneventful 100 degree day, that's not bad at all for your first start in Division I College Football.

 (Franklin rushes in for the first TD of the game)

The zone read was a popular call by Pinkel and the coaching staff today, and allowed Franklin to showcase his running ability.  He instinctively hit holes, and leads with his pads a bit more often than his coaches would like him to, I'm sure.  (Franklin injured would probably sink the Tigers' season - does anyone know who the back-up is?)  The passing play looked similar to the offense under Gabbert's command, but with even less throws down-field, and a few expected first-game misfires.  The receivers got the ball in space, and tried to make plays.  Franklin's one TD pass came on a well-executed play in the redzone to receiver Marcus Lucas.  Moe led the day with six receptions for 56 yards, and had a few good moves, but does not look up to form. 

The offense's main problem was their inability to string together lasting drives.  Their 12 offensive drives averaged a dismal 21.6 yards, and only two drives were over 35 yards (a 42 yard drive and a game-long 76 yard drive ending in the first Missouri TD, run in by Franklin).  These are far from the numbers Tiger fans have become accustomed to with their Chase Daniel and Blaine Gabbert offenses.  Miami Ohio is a decent team - they won the Mid-American conference last year in an upset over Northern Illinois, and went on to win their bowl game (against weak Middle Tennessee State).  But a promising Mizzou team that is number 21 in the land should do a lot better than 291 yards and 17 points.  

  
The Missouri defense didn't look much better.  They allowed the Redhawks to move the ball on their first drive of the game, but a missed field goal kept the scored knotted up at 0.  They continued this bend-but-don’t-break trend late into the first half.  Miami drove the ball into the redzone and it looked like they were about to make it 7 - 10 at the half.  The defense committed two costly penalties in a row, allowing Miami to inch even closer to the Tiger goal-line.  Just as it looked like the Redhawks could make it a game, the struggling Tiger's secondary came up big with an athletic pick in the end zone.  With the exception of this play, it was the secondary that sagged the most in the unit.  Mizzou looked good against the run, particularly up the middle, but Miami quarterback Zac Dysert took advantage of a lazy-looking secondary.  It was Miami's failure to execute and score that kept the game in the Tiger's paws, not any action by the defense.

 (Mizzou corner E.J. Gaines gets the pick)         

All in all the play was discouraging, if for nothing but the fact that the numbers were nowhere near what Missouri has become accustomed to.  The only redeeming quality is that most of the lack of productivity can be written off as inexperience.  The offense wasn't dysfunctional, they simply were not in rhythm.  The defense didn't implode, they just need some sharpening.  I almost died sitting in the heat, I can only imagine what it did to the players on the field. 

So Mizzou fans, don't get too down on yourselves.  Every team needs to get better, and the Tigers are in perfect position to do that.  We all know they need to greatly improve on both sides of the ball to compete in the Big 12 - the coaches know it, and the players know it.  There's just one problem. 

In six days the Tigers face a strong Arizona State team in the desert.  This Sun-Devil team played weak Division I-AA UC Davis this week, so it's hard to tell how good they really looked.  But boy, they sure looked good.  Arizona State dominated UC Davis 48-14, producing exactly like Mizzou should have.  It's time for me to eat my words - Mizzou may not be one bit underrated.  If things don't pick up fast, 8-4 is optimistic. 

This Mizzou squad is not bad, they simply aren't strong.  They are a young team that is struggling to replace stars like Daniel, Gabbert, Maclin, and Alexander.  Pinkel has done great things to make Missouri competitive again, and in a way the Tigers lucked out with Gabbert's success.  It's time to settle down and figure out how to stay competitive year-in and year-out.  There is a lot of potential on this team, but with the changing landscape of College Football, (and the apparent fracturing of the Big-12), Missouri's future may be as uncertain as it's been in a decade. 

Preseason I would have picked Mizzou over ASU in a heartbeat for this Friday's matchup.  But after today I have to go with the Sun Devils, and I'm afraid to say it probably won't be close.   

        (All photos taken by Zach Lynn)