Missouri tries to build on first Big 12 victory
By R.B. FALLSTROM
AP Sports Writer
AP Sports Writer
Nov 07, 2009 - 04:10:14 CST
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — After hobbling on a sprained right ankle for three weeks, Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert is feeling a lot better.
Same goes for his team, although it’s still pretty deep in a hole.
The Tigers will try to build on their first Big 12 victory that was easy on Gabbert’s legs and further distance themselves from an 0-3 conference mark on Saturday against Baylor. They’re two-touchdown favorites against a team that’s scuffled since losing quarterback Robert Griffin for the season in late September.
Coach Gary Pinkel reminds players there’s still plenty of work ahead if Missouri (5-3, 1-3 Big 12) has any shot of winning its third straight North title. Even if the Tigers are 7-0 against Baylor in Big 12 play.
“Nothing’s changed,” Pinkel said. “I tell our players ’You think everything’s going good now, if you want to accomplish our goals it’s going to get tougher. I guarantee you that.”’
Holdovers from the title teams haven’t forgotten Pinkel’s oft-stated belief that they’re starting the month that’ll determine their season. Another victory, and Missouri is bowl-eligible for the fifth straight season.
“We’ve been taught that November is where you’ll be remembered, ever since I got here,” wide receiver Danario Alexander said.
Perhaps keeping them humble, the game will not be televised to end Missouri’s 13-game streak.
Baylor (3-5, 0-4) has lost four in a row and is averaging only 8.5 points in conference play. The Bears haven’t scored a first-half touchdown the last three games, getting an interception return for their only TD last week against Nebraska.
“We haven’t remedied the problem,” coach Art Briles said. “It’s our job to score and we haven’t been doing it.”
Baylor’s hope for an upset lies with a stout defense that held Nebraska to 11 first downs and no second-half points in a 20-10 loss last week.
“Watching tape on them, it’s a winnable game,” senior defensive end Jason Lamb said. “We’ve just got to come out from a defensive standpoint and just play like we did the whole second half against Nebraska.”
The first half was another story. Baylor surrendered points on Nebraska’s first three drives and also had a blocked punt returned for a touchdown while falling behind 20-0.
“I think we need to bring that second-half momentum and carry that to the start of the game,” said senior linebacker Joe Pawelek, set to make his 42nd consecutive start.
A gimpy Gabbert, whose accuracy and mobility suffered during Missouri’s three-game skid, would give Baylor some reason to be confident. But the strapping sophomore was stepping lightly against Colorado, especially in the first half when he threw two touchdown passes to Alexander and helped Missouri score the first 33 points of a 36-17 victory.
“It felt good,” Gabbert said. “That’s a nice feeling.”
Gabbert wasn’t hit at all late in the first half and felt frisky enough to rush for 26 yards on six carries, although he did have an interception returned for a touchdown as Colorado mounted a bit of a threat in the second half.
“If he gets his speed back, that’ll impact our offense and allow us to do some more things,” Pinkel said. “We’ve been restricted with some things on offense because we didn’t want to put him in a vulnerable position.”
More production from running back Derrick Washington would help keep Gabbert healthy. Washington rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown last week.
Baylor gave Missouri a scare last year when the Tigers were ranked 14th, losing 31-28 in Waco, Texas. But this time the quarterback is Nick Florence, one of nine freshmen to play this season and three to start for the school.
“I think the quarterback runs well,” Missouri defensive coordinator Dave Steckel said. “But he’s no Griffin.”
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Same goes for his team, although it’s still pretty deep in a hole.
The Tigers will try to build on their first Big 12 victory that was easy on Gabbert’s legs and further distance themselves from an 0-3 conference mark on Saturday against Baylor. They’re two-touchdown favorites against a team that’s scuffled since losing quarterback Robert Griffin for the season in late September.
Coach Gary Pinkel reminds players there’s still plenty of work ahead if Missouri (5-3, 1-3 Big 12) has any shot of winning its third straight North title. Even if the Tigers are 7-0 against Baylor in Big 12 play.
“Nothing’s changed,” Pinkel said. “I tell our players ’You think everything’s going good now, if you want to accomplish our goals it’s going to get tougher. I guarantee you that.”’
Holdovers from the title teams haven’t forgotten Pinkel’s oft-stated belief that they’re starting the month that’ll determine their season. Another victory, and Missouri is bowl-eligible for the fifth straight season.
“We’ve been taught that November is where you’ll be remembered, ever since I got here,” wide receiver Danario Alexander said.
Perhaps keeping them humble, the game will not be televised to end Missouri’s 13-game streak.
Baylor (3-5, 0-4) has lost four in a row and is averaging only 8.5 points in conference play. The Bears haven’t scored a first-half touchdown the last three games, getting an interception return for their only TD last week against Nebraska.
“We haven’t remedied the problem,” coach Art Briles said. “It’s our job to score and we haven’t been doing it.”
Baylor’s hope for an upset lies with a stout defense that held Nebraska to 11 first downs and no second-half points in a 20-10 loss last week.
“Watching tape on them, it’s a winnable game,” senior defensive end Jason Lamb said. “We’ve just got to come out from a defensive standpoint and just play like we did the whole second half against Nebraska.”
The first half was another story. Baylor surrendered points on Nebraska’s first three drives and also had a blocked punt returned for a touchdown while falling behind 20-0.
“I think we need to bring that second-half momentum and carry that to the start of the game,” said senior linebacker Joe Pawelek, set to make his 42nd consecutive start.
A gimpy Gabbert, whose accuracy and mobility suffered during Missouri’s three-game skid, would give Baylor some reason to be confident. But the strapping sophomore was stepping lightly against Colorado, especially in the first half when he threw two touchdown passes to Alexander and helped Missouri score the first 33 points of a 36-17 victory.
“It felt good,” Gabbert said. “That’s a nice feeling.”
Gabbert wasn’t hit at all late in the first half and felt frisky enough to rush for 26 yards on six carries, although he did have an interception returned for a touchdown as Colorado mounted a bit of a threat in the second half.
“If he gets his speed back, that’ll impact our offense and allow us to do some more things,” Pinkel said. “We’ve been restricted with some things on offense because we didn’t want to put him in a vulnerable position.”
More production from running back Derrick Washington would help keep Gabbert healthy. Washington rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown last week.
Baylor gave Missouri a scare last year when the Tigers were ranked 14th, losing 31-28 in Waco, Texas. But this time the quarterback is Nick Florence, one of nine freshmen to play this season and three to start for the school.
“I think the quarterback runs well,” Missouri defensive coordinator Dave Steckel said. “But he’s no Griffin.”