Bid on Coach Pinkel’s Battle Line Rivalry Visor

Mizzou Football Head Coach Gary Pinkel is auctioning off his Nike visor to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Columbia. The Mizzou visor was worn and autographed immediately following the inaugural Battle Line Rivalry game on November 28, during which Mizzou clinched the SEC East for the second straight year with a 21-14 win over Arkansas.

The Boys and Girls Club of Columbia offers a safe haven for local children to come after school and during the summer, where they can participate in a number of programs, clubs, and activities. It offers a summer school curriculum and mentoring program to help local children succeed in school, as well as sports and fitness programs, financial education, career development, and character and leadership development.  The proceeds from the visor auction, as well as $1,000 from Coach Pinkel, will go toward helping the Boys and Girls Club provide local children with great opportunities.

The visor is up for auction on eBay from now until 5 p.m. on December 6. The visor will ship anywhere in the United States from Columbia, Missouri, after payment is received via eBay.

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Mizzou Football Defeats Arkansas 21-14 In The First Annual Battle Line Rivalry

Mizzou Football (10-2, 7-1 SEC) scored 15 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to defeat the Arkansas Razorbacks 21-14 in the inaugural Battle Line Rivalry and claim its second consecutive SEC East title.

It’s the fifth division title in eight seasons for Mizzou Football, tied for the highest total in the country in that span.

Mizzou Football’s surge began at their own two-yard line with a little over a minute remaining in the third quarter, trailing 14-6. A 12-yard pass from Maty Mauk to Bud Sasser on second-and-eight got the drive rolling, and then a 44-yard connection to Jimmie Hunt on the ensuing third down put Mizzou Football on the Arkansas side of the 50. Another big completion to Sasser, this one for 28 yards, put Mizzou at the four-yard line, and then Mauk found Hunt in the end zone on a fade route to make it 14-12. On the two-point conversion attempt, Marcus Murphy took the direct snap and handed it to Sasser on a reverse, who hit fellow wide receiver Darius White with a perfect strike in the corner of the end zone to knot the score at 14.

The Mizzou defense held strong to give the ball back to the offense with 10:42 left on the clock. The Tigers then marched 73 yards, all on the ground, to the Razorback 12, and Murphy capped off the masterful drive with a 12-yard misdirection run to put Mizzou up 21-14.

Arkansas was driving for the tie when Kentrell Brothers forced a fumble and Markus Golden recovered with 2:13 to go at the Mizzou 35 to seal it and send the Tigers back to Atlanta.

Andrew Baggett nailed a career-long 52-yard field goal early in the second to make the score 7-3. He then connected from 50 yards out on the last play before the half to add another three points. With the two bombs, Baggett became the first Mizzou kicker in history to make two field goals of 50 or more yards in the same game.

Mauk completed 25 of 42 passes for 265 yards and a touchdown, with nine of those throws going to Sasser, who finished with a game-high 127 receiving yards. It was his third 100-yard game this season, and eighth with at least five catches. The senior captain is second in the SEC with 65 receptions on the year, and third in yards and touchdowns, with 904 and nine, respectively.

Arkansas came into the contest having won two straight games by a combined score of 47-0, but the Mizzou defense halted the Razorbacks’ offense, holding them to 14 points and just 288 total yards, their second lowest output of the season.

It was the fourth time that the Mizzou defense has held an SEC opponent under 300 yards. The Tigers rank second in the SEC in total defense (300.6 yards per game), and third in scoring defense (19.1 points per game) in conference games. Mizzou hasn’t allowed an SEC opponent to gain 380 yards of offense all season. Mizzou defense also held three opponents to their season-low total offense output on the year.

The win is Mizzou’s 25th November victory since 2007. Each season, Head Coach Gary Pinkel instills in his players this adage: “Those who win in November will be remembered.” The Tigers have taken it to heart as they’ve gone undefeated in November the past two seasons.

With This Victory, Mizzou…

  • Reaches 10 wins for the fifth time in Head Coach Gary Pinkel’s 14-season tenure.
  • Improves to 4-2 all-time against Arkansas, including 2-0 at The ZOU.
  • Completes its second consecutive undefeated November.
  • Has won 15 SEC games since 2012, the second-highest total in the conference.
  • Improves to 112-65 under Pinkel.

Mizzou Football will play Alabama in the SEC championship game in Atlanta next Saturday. Kickoff from the Georgia Dome is set for 3 p.m. CT on CBS. Mizzou Football posts live updates on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook throughout the games, and fans can also listen in via Tiger Network radio affiliates.

2014 Mizzou Football Seniors

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each home game in The ZOU, there are moments of pressure, anticipation, and happiness. However, during the final home game of every season, there is a bittersweet feeling for players and coaches alike as they send off the seniors into their last battle for ole Mizzou.

When they run into The ZOU for the last time, they exhibit a strength that has been built up over years in the Mizzou Football Family, and to them, that time has gone by in the blink of an eye.

“You only get so many opportunities at this game, and back when I was a freshman and sophomore, I really didn’t realize how fast time would go,” said senior defensive lineman Matt Hoch.

The Mizzou Football seniors are the leaders of the team. They are battle-tested, war-ready student-athletes who play with strength and set an example for their fellow teammates.

The goal of Mizzou Football is not to simply develop elite athletes. The real growth comes from total player development: development as an athlete, a person, a student, and as a member of a family.

“Coming here and being involved in the program has boosted my confidence and is going to help me later on in my life,” said senior offensive lineman Anthony Gatti.

When the seniors leave Mizzou, the Mizzou Football Family does not leave them. Head Coach Gary Pinkel is confident the brotherhood extends far beyond the athletic department.

“One of the great things about it is we tell our recruits you come to Missouri not for four to five years, you come to Missouri for life and you’re part of our family forever.” Pinkel said. “You feel great that they’ve had success and you’re just going to miss them because of all that they’ve done to help the University of Missouri.”

See the Mizzou Football seniors back in action for their second straight SEC Championship game on Saturday, December 6 at 3:00pm on CBS. Mizzou Football will take on Alabama at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Follow Mizzou Football on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for updates on how to purchase tickets for the SEC Championship game.

Preview: Mizzou vs. Arkansas

Mizzou Football (9-2 overall, 6-1 SEC) returns home this week after two straight road wins to play host to the Arkansas Razorbacks on Senior Day at The ZOU. Fans are encouraged to wear black to Friday’s contest for Mizzou’s annual Blackout Game.

The game, officially deemed The Battle Line Rivalry presented by Shelter Insurance, will be the start of a new yearly tradition for the bordering state neighbors.

The rivalry clashes against both geographic and historical boundaries—from disputed demarcations of the border separating the two states to notable alumni and former personnel with ties to both storied athletic programs. The historic rivalry between the two states will take on even more meaning now, as every Thanksgiving weekend the Battle Line will be drawn on the gridiron.

Mizzou and Arkansas are currently working together to commission a permanent trophy for the Battle Line Rivalry. The trophy will be presented to the inaugural winner at their home basketball game against the rival. Dates for the Arkansas vs. Mizzou Men’s Basketball games are January 24 in Columbia and February 18 in Fayetteville.

Mizzou vs. Arkansas In History

Mizzou and Arkansas have met just five times previously, with the Tigers holding a 3-2 series edge. The schools have alternated wins each outing, with the last two coming in bowl games.

Mizzou claimed the last meeting, taking a 38-7 win in the 2008 Cotton Bowl to cap a 12-2 season in which the Tigers claimed their first SEC East title. Arkansas took the prior meeting in the 2003 Independence Bowl by a score of 27-14. The first meeting between Mizzou and Arkansas was way back in 1906 in Columbia, a game the Tigers won 11-0. The teams wouldn’t meet again until 1944 in St. Louis, with Arkansas winning that one by a 7-6 margin. Mizzou returned the favor in 1963 in Little Rock, Ark., with a 7-6 win of its own.

Mizzou Football Seniors

Mizzou is honoring 21 seniors before Friday’s game, and after the game each senior will take the traditional walk to the historic Rock M to claim a rock as a personal memento of their time in Markus Golden, Darvin Ruisethe program.

The 2014 senior class has contributed to some very special achievements during their time in Columbia. They’ve won 34 games in the past four seasons and played a key role in Mizzou’s magical 12-2 season a year ago that included an SEC Eastern Division title, a Cotton Bowl victory, and a No. 5 national ranking in the season’s final poll. Additionally, many of them redshirted as true freshmen in 2010 when the Tigers shared the Big 12 Conference North Division title.

The seniors being honored include:

Most importantly, the current Mizzou senior class is getting it done in the classroom. Seven from this outstanding group have already earned their undergraduate degrees (Brinser, Carberry, Gatti, Hoch, Morse, Murphy and White), while every other senior is on pace to graduate by May. Mizzou Football owns the top Academic Progress Rate in the SEC, and as a whole, the university is second in the league in overall APR, trailing only Vanderbilt by less than three points. Nationally, Mizzou Football ranks in the top five in APR among BCS Automatic Qualifying Universities.

Difference Makers

Mizzou has been getting out of the gate quickly of late. In their current five-game winning streak, the Tigers have gotten on the board first in every contest, including getting points the very first time they’ve touched the ball four times. In all, Mizzou has struck first in each of its nine wins this season.

Marcus MurphyIn the turnover department, Mizzou has been stellar. The Tigers have run 750 plays in 11 games so far in 2014, and only one has resulted in a lost fumble, the fewest in the nation. Defensively, Mizzou has forced 20 turnovers (12 interceptions, 8 fumbles) and have turned those takeaways into 130 points on the other side of the ball, compared to just 54 points off turnovers for opponents.

Mizzou enters Friday’s game against Arkansas ranked No. 2 in the NCAA in red zone efficiency, as the Tiger offense has converted 93.6 percent of its opportunities (29-of-31). Against FBS opponents, Mizzou is nearly perfect. The only time the Tigers didn’t turn a red zone trip into points was against UCF on September 13, when, holding onto a 38-10 lead late in the fourth quarter, they ran up the middle on fourth down on the UCF 14-yardline.

Kickoff for the Mizzou-Arkansas game is set for 1:30 p.m. CT on Friday, November 28, and can be seen on CBS. Mizzou Football will post live updates on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook throughout the game, and fans can also listen in via Tiger Network radio affiliates.

Watch #MizzouMade in the NFL: Week 13

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#99 C.J. Mosley – Detroit Lions Defensive Tackle – Thursday, 11:30, CBS

#18 Jeremy Maclin – Philadelphia Eagles Wide Receiver – Thursday, 3:30, FOX

#16 Brad Smith – Philadelphia Eagles Wide Receiver – Thursday, 3:30, FOX

#2 Blaine Gabbert – San Francisco 49ers Quarterback  – Thursday, 7:30, NBC

#94 Justin Smith – San Francisco 49ers Defensive End  – Thursday, 7:30, NBC

#99 Aldon Smith – San Francisco 49ers Linebacker – Thursday, 7:30, NBC

#68 Justin Britt – Seattle Seahawks Offensive Lineman – Thursday, 7:30, NBC

#56 Jacquies Smith – Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defensive End – Sunday, 12:00, FOX

#33 E.J. Gaines – St. Louis Rams Cornerback – Sunday, 12:00, CBS

#59 Andrew Gachkar – San Diego Chargers Linebacker Sunday, 12:00, CBS

#88 Chase Coffman – Tennessee Titans Tight End – Sunday, 12:00, CBS

#50 Zaviar Gooden – Tennessee Titans Linebacker – Sunday, 12:00, CBS

#48 Beau Brinkley – Tennessee Titans Long Snapper – Sunday, 12:00, CBS

#92 Ziggy Hood – Jacksonville Jaguars Defensive End – Sunday, 12:00, FOX

#94 Kony Ealy – Carolina Panthers Defensive End — Sunday, 12:00, FOX

#10 Chase Daniel – Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback – Sunday, 7:30, NBC

#91 Sheldon Richardson – New York Jets Defensive Tackle – Monday, 7:30, ESPN

 

 

 

 

 

This Week In Mizzou Football Featuring Shane Ray

The newest edition of This Week in Mizzou Football will feature junior defensive end Shane Ray. Ray has established himself as one of the premier defensive ends in the country alongside teammate Markus Golden. Recently, Ray became the all-time leader in single-season sacks at Mizzou, passing the record of 11.5 set by Aldon Smith, a first-round NFL draft pick and current San Francisco 49er, and matched by Unanimous All-American Michael Sam in 2013.

This week’s show will air at 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 27, on Fox Sports Midwest and again at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 29, on KOMU. Check GaryPinkel.com every week for updates regarding This Week in Mizzou Football.

Mizzou will play Arkansas in the Battle Line Rivalry on Friday, November 28 in The ZOU. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. CT and can be seen on CBS. Fans can follow Mizzou Football on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook and listen in via Tiger Network radio affiliates for updates throughout the game.

Mizzou Football Nike Uniform Combination: November 28

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Battle tested, war ready.

That’s the motto of the Mizzou Football program, and this weekend, the team will take those exact words to heart in the Battle Line Rivalry against Arkansas. Mizzou will play its newest SEC rival for the right to stake its claim on the Missouri-Arkansas border in a fierce all-black Nike uniform combination.

In coordination with the Blackout Game, the seniors chose lightweight black pants with gold accents, black jerseys, and glossy black helmets with the chrome tiger head. Fans are also encouraged to wear black to cheer on Mizzou Football in The ZOU this Friday.

The game is also Senior Night, marking the last time that some players will take the field in The ZOU. Even though it will be the last time senior safety Braylon Webb steps onto the field with his fellow captains, his game won’t change — For him, every game is important. “I just want to go out there and do my job,” he said.

The Battle Line Rivalry between Mizzou and Arkansas will take place on Friday, November 28 in The ZOU. Kickoff is set for 1:30 CT and can be seen on CBS. Fans can follow Mizzou Football on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook and listen in via Tiger Network radio affiliates for updates throughout the game.

Spotlight: The Shane Ray Story

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Football fans young and old have followed premier junior defensive end Shane Ray from the beginning. Recently, Ray broke the Mizzou record of single-season sacks, racking up 12 sacks and surpassing the record of 11.5 that NFL first-round pick and current San Francisco 49er Aldon Smith set in 2009 and Unanimous All-America Michael Sam matched in 2013. Even though he’s already broken the sack record, Ray, who was recently named team MVP, continues to set high goals — after all, that’s what got him here in the first place

Ray’s strength and determination is evident not only on the football field. While he has excelled at the sport, his character has been nurtured through personal experience, and that has made all the difference in his success.

In Mizzou’s history, there has been more than one Ray in The ZOU. Shane’s father, Wendell Ray, was a former defensive end for Mizzou Football and was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 1981. However, Shane wasn’t raised around father’s athletic legacy.

“One of the biggest things that I dealt with growing up was the absence of my father,” Ray said. “Now, we have a great relationship, but growing up it was really tough for me not really having that figure there.”

In place of his father, Ray’s mother, Sebrina Johnson, was his everything. She was determined to give Ray the best life possible and to give him a bright future.

“My mom sacrificed over and beyond for me,” Ray said.

Ray is grateful to his mother for the opportunities she helped make for him. Although Ray and grew up in a rough part of Kansas City, his mother didn’t let the obstacles that came with their geographic location get in the way of his success.

“Just because you’re from that environment, doesn’t mean you have to be of that environment,” Johnson said. “And with my child, I looked at him and said I am going to give him everything that is good in me.”

Ray’s tickets to success were school and football. He excelled at both, despite his father’s distance. When it was time for Ray to pick a college, it was not an easy decision, but once he realized his mother would be close enough to watch him play football at Mizzou, his decision was finalized.

“When I look at Shane now, the whole football thing, it’s awesome and it’s incredible, but I’m more proud of the person he is,” Johnson said.

Ray’s character shined through as he reconciled his relationship with his father. After being honest about the emotional impact his father’s absence had made, there was true forgiveness despite the hurt.

“I was able to forgive him because he looked at me in the eyes and he apologized,” Ray said. “One of the biggest things I had to set for myself was to let go of all that anger and aggression that I was facing.”

Ray has been able to witness healing and love in his family, and now, he’s looking ahead to the future and the bright opportunities it holds — especially the opportunity to play in honor of his parents.

“Now I have my eyes set on the SEC record,” Ray said. “When I go out there and play, it’s for them.”

Commitment

“The harder you work for something, the more it will mean to you.”

Committed people aren’t meant to fit in with the crowd. In fact, they often prefer to be different. A committed individual has a goal that consumes their heart and mind to the point that what other people think is irrelevant to them. They are willing to be patient and strong as they fight for what they want and believe, and they are confident in their decision to fully commit themselves to a cause.

The characteristics of a committed student-athlete include:

  • Unique: A committed person sees events and circumstances in a unique way, which makes them different from the crowd.
  • Loyal: A committed person is not flighty. He doesn’t abandon a task halfway through, and he has his priorities in order. His teammates can rely on him, and they trust that he will be there in both the good times and the bad.
  • Imaginative: A committed person is a dreamer. They base their futures on goals they have set for themselves down the road.
  • Strong: A committed person fosters a mental toughness that makes it impossible for him to quit. He blurs the line between work and play. He sees his challenges as exciting obstacles, and this gives him a physical and mental energy that is unstoppable. He loves his work and he wants to do more, not less. When problems arise, a committed player can meet them with a positive outlook and competitive aggression.
  • Habit-Oriented: A person’s commitment is habit-forming, and his habits become a way of life. Oftentimes, a committed player reaches his goals and doesn’t even realize it. At that point of realization, they’ve set higher goals that have become their next finish line.
  • Fulfilled: A committed person finds joy and life within his commitments.

Commitment does not guarantee first choice. Talent is no assurance of success. There will be times when hard work and patience will have to serve as your commitment. When someone is ahead of you, you must remember your commitment to the task. A committed player does not lose confidence when he is not in the spotlight. Instead, he improves and waits for his turn.

A humble commitment to hard work will put you at the top. Why? Because there are very few athletes who are willing to put forth an all-out effort to succeed. It is important to remember that every effort given brings you one step closer to the your goals. When you practice, focus on the things you cannot do for three times longer than the things you can do. You have the opportunity to convert your weaknesses into strong points.

It is also important to consider your competition. There may be areas where your opponent has an advantage over you, but he should never be in better condition than you. The key to being in good condition is to never get out of it.

When you focus your full effort on the little improvements, you will be ready when it’s your turn to be on top. You will not only have the physical and mental strength, but the wisdom and clarity as you set higher goals than the ones before.

Mizzou Tiger Talk

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Monday at 7 p.m., Head Coach Gary Pinkel sits down with Mike Kelly, the voice of Mizzou Tigers, for an hour-long segment called Tiger Talk.

The popular sports radio talk show takes place in front of a live audience of Tiger fans in Buffalo Wild Wings in Columbia. During this week’s Tiger Talk, Pinkel and Kelly wrapped up the final show of the football season.

This week’s segment featured junior offensive linemen Brad McNulty and Taylor Chappell as well. The two Texans spoke with Kelly about everything and anything football.

Home Sweet Texas

Kelly began by asking Chappell, a native of Canadian, Texas, about his roots.

“Canadian is one of those classic towns when you know everybody. It’s only 3,000 people, and there are no secrets really in a town that small.” Chappell said. “I get texts after every game from coaches and friends back home, just congratulating me on my successes.”

Brad McNultyFor the small-town Texan, his decision to play for Missouri was largely based on the family atmosphere Mizzou offers.

“It’s a family and it’s hard to explain, but you feel like you’re at home when you’re here.” Chappell said. “That’s why we play so well together and we really come together as a team.”

Kelly switched gears to talk Texas with the other Texas native. McNulty, a native of Allen, Texas, found the Mizzou family atmosphere refreshing, for personal reasons.

“For me, that was really important because I grew up with nothing but sisters, and I needed some brothers to show me the way.” McNulty said.

McNulty said that the coaches also contribute to the family atmosphere in a personal way. Specifically, Offensive Line Coach A.J. Ricker.

“At the beginning of the year, Coach Ricker told us that he had something invested in this program. He actually played for Coach Pinkel when he first got here.” McNulty said. “That made us think that he had been where we were and he is one of us.”

The Offensive Line

When Kelly asked Chappell what surprised him the most about the offensive line in college compared to high school, Chappell noted the speed and competition within the league.

Sean Culkin, Taylor Chappell, Connor McGovern“You’ve got guys out there like Shane Ray and Markus Golden—those are track athletes compared to me.” Chappell said. “Just getting used to that speed is a huge deal.”

For the entire offensive line, speed is their specialty. Chappell described the joy the whole team gets when running the football.

“We take great pride in running the football.” Chappell said. “There’s nothing better than just dominating the other team when you run the ball.”

The Road To Another SEC East Title

Once Pinkel rejoined Kelly at the table, the talk about coaching continued. Pinkel emphasized the role coaches have when preparing for championships.

“I tell my team there is nothing easy about this.” Pinkel said. “You’re going to have to play good teams and beat good teams.”

As the Tigers prepared for their final game against the Arkansas Razorbacks, Pinkel explained the bond between college football coaches.

“It’s kind of a neat thing to get to know each other because you can appreciate what everyone is going through.” Pinkel said.

Mizzou Football Seniors

Kelly and Pinkel also discussed the seniors, who played in their final game in the ZOU against Arkansas on Saturday, November 28. Pinkel described the emotional tie he has to each of his players and how proud he is of every Tiger who will be sent off after the final game.

10502425_10153255927690283_6065732534440833449_n“It’s an emotional day for me.” Pinkel said. “It’s hard because you get these kids when they’re 18 years old and you see them mature into men and graduating from college.”

However, the Mizzou Football Family does not end with senior sendoff.

“One of the great things about it though is we tell our recruits you come to Missouri not for four to five years, you come to Missouri for life and you’re part of our family forever.” Pinkel said. “Those names and numbers of those guys will be in my phone forever.”

Watch Tiger Talk live every Monday at 7 p.m. at Buffalo Wild Wings, or online via GaryPinkel.com livestream. See Mizzou Football compete in its second straight SEC Championship game on Saturday, December 6. Mizzou Football will take on Alabama in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Follow Mizzou Football on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for updates on how to purchase tickets for the SEC Championship game.