San Diego State
3rd Mountain West8-4
Missouri
2nd Big 1210-2
San Diego State @ Missouri preview
Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field
Missouri freshman running back Henry Josey and the Tigers are hoping he can follow up his breakout performance with another strong game against San Diego State (2-0), Saturday night in Columbia, Mo.
Josey ran for 112 yards and three touchdowns last week on just seven carries in the Tigers’ 50-6 win over McNeese State. He scored on three of his first four carries in the first half, including a 62-yard touchdown run. After just one carry in the Tigers first game against Illinois, he’s now averaging 15.3 yards per carry.
However, the Aztecs will counter with their own freshman phenom, running back Ronnie Hillman, who put up 150 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-21 win at New Mexico State last week. That win ended a 14-game non-conference losing streak for the Aztecs.
San Diego State currently ranks in the top 25 in passing yards (14th), rushing yards (21st), total offense (6th), points for (16th) and points against (14th). They are 2-0 for the first time in 16 years.
Under center for the Aztecs is junior and third-year starter Ryan Lindley, who has thrown for 622 yards and three touchdowns in the season’s first two games. He’ll need to be more accurate against Missouri, though. Against New Mexico State he completed just 20-of-42 attempts. He has yet to throw an interception.
Missouri currently is tied for the national lead with nine takeaways, including six interceptions.
Lindley’s main target has been senior DeMarco Sampson, who racked up 179 yards receiving and two touchdowns in the Aztecs' opening win over Nicholls State, 47-0.
Missouri junior quarterback Blaine Gabbert has been extremely accurate. He completed 26-of-31 passes against McNeese State and his completion percentage sits at 75.9 percent. He started last week’s game 15 for 15.
Sophomore wide receiver T.J. Moe has been the main beneficiary of Gabbert’s accuracy, piling up a nation-leading 23 catches in the first two games. Moe had just two receptions all last season and but could step into a bigger role this season.
Missouri also seems to have finally found a solid target at tight end in junior Michael Egnew. Last year, the Tigers had a big drop-off in what had been one of their strongest positions with players like Martin Rucker (2007) and Chase Coffman (2008). Egnew has 16 receptions for 112 yards and one touchdown.
On defense, the Tigers will welcome back junior linebacker Will Ebner who sat out the first two weeks with a suspension. They’ll need him too, because linebacker Luke Lambert is listed as doubtful for the game with a hamstring injury he suffered in week one. Senior cornerback Munir Prince will also miss the game with an injury and starting senior safety Jasper Simmons is listed as doubtful.
The Tigers come into the game ranked No. 25 in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll. The two teams haven’t met since 1980, a 31-7 Missouri win.Missouri. Tigers Coach Gary Pinkel is 2-0 against San Diego State head coach Brady Hoke, with both wins coming while Hoke was at Ball State.
Josey ran for 112 yards and three touchdowns last week on just seven carries in the Tigers’ 50-6 win over McNeese State. He scored on three of his first four carries in the first half, including a 62-yard touchdown run. After just one carry in the Tigers first game against Illinois, he’s now averaging 15.3 yards per carry.
However, the Aztecs will counter with their own freshman phenom, running back Ronnie Hillman, who put up 150 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-21 win at New Mexico State last week. That win ended a 14-game non-conference losing streak for the Aztecs.
San Diego State currently ranks in the top 25 in passing yards (14th), rushing yards (21st), total offense (6th), points for (16th) and points against (14th). They are 2-0 for the first time in 16 years.
Under center for the Aztecs is junior and third-year starter Ryan Lindley, who has thrown for 622 yards and three touchdowns in the season’s first two games. He’ll need to be more accurate against Missouri, though. Against New Mexico State he completed just 20-of-42 attempts. He has yet to throw an interception.
Missouri currently is tied for the national lead with nine takeaways, including six interceptions.
Lindley’s main target has been senior DeMarco Sampson, who racked up 179 yards receiving and two touchdowns in the Aztecs' opening win over Nicholls State, 47-0.
Missouri junior quarterback Blaine Gabbert has been extremely accurate. He completed 26-of-31 passes against McNeese State and his completion percentage sits at 75.9 percent. He started last week’s game 15 for 15.
Sophomore wide receiver T.J. Moe has been the main beneficiary of Gabbert’s accuracy, piling up a nation-leading 23 catches in the first two games. Moe had just two receptions all last season and but could step into a bigger role this season.
Missouri also seems to have finally found a solid target at tight end in junior Michael Egnew. Last year, the Tigers had a big drop-off in what had been one of their strongest positions with players like Martin Rucker (2007) and Chase Coffman (2008). Egnew has 16 receptions for 112 yards and one touchdown.
On defense, the Tigers will welcome back junior linebacker Will Ebner who sat out the first two weeks with a suspension. They’ll need him too, because linebacker Luke Lambert is listed as doubtful for the game with a hamstring injury he suffered in week one. Senior cornerback Munir Prince will also miss the game with an injury and starting senior safety Jasper Simmons is listed as doubtful.
The Tigers come into the game ranked No. 25 in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll. The two teams haven’t met since 1980, a 31-7 Missouri win.Missouri. Tigers Coach Gary Pinkel is 2-0 against San Diego State head coach Brady Hoke, with both wins coming while Hoke was at Ball State.