Welcome to the Morning Commute. Today, we’re not dwelling in the past. At least, not the recent past.
It’s Homecoming week around these parts, and I don’t really need to tell you how special that is to Mizzou folks. You’re one of them, after all.
This is Mizzou’s 115th Homecoming, celebrating a tradition that was started at Mizzou and continues to be done best at Mizzou. There will be plenty of time (and digital ink) spent on dissecting Mizzou’s loss to Mississippi State on Saturday night. To start the
week, why not drop your favorite Homecoming memory? Or maybe your favorite Homecoming football game?
Yesterday at Rock M and Rock M+
- In which Sam highlights Mizzou’s flat 4th quarter:
Maybe that’s what the whole team is, right now. Good. But you have to be a little better than good to beat good teams on the road. I don’t know if Mississippi State is anything more than good, but they’re good enough to beat a good team like Mizzou at home.
Good teams win. Great teams cover. Something along those lines.
- In which Colin points out that playing a good two middle quarters isn’t good enough:
The numbers tell the story: Mizzou outscored Mississippi State 24-3 during the second and third quarters but was outscored 28-0 across the first and fourth.
For all the progress the Tigers showed in the middle of the game, the opening and closing stretches proved more pivotal.
We know Drinkwitz emphasizes the middle minutes of a football game. But you can’t forget setting the tone and finishing either.
- In which Mizzou opens as a slight Homecoming dog to Florida:
In the cold light of day, the loss at Mississippi State is discouraging, though not entirely debilitating. That’s especially true with Florida coming to town. The Gators, who just jumped into the AP Top 10 in the first time in a few years, are surging under new coach Jon Sumrall. They just walloped Ole Miss at home and are being pegged as a College Football Playoff contender… but maybe the Tigers can put a halt to some of that momentum.
Nothing that a win over Florida can’t fix, am I right?
- In which Mizzou Volleyball fared better in their SEC opener:
“It was great to be back at Hearnes. I love playing here. I think our fans are incredible,” [Coach Dawn] Sullivan said. “I just really appreciate everybody coming out and supporting us.”
The squad heads to Mississippi to square off against Ole Miss this Friday.
- Unfortunately, that in-conference momentum hasn’t carried over to soccer:
With a third straight loss, the Tigers move to 0-4 in SEC play and 3-7-1 on the season. The Tigers continue their road trip with a short(er) drive down to Fayetteville to take on Arkansas on Oct. 2, looking to finally put a tally in the win column.
Eh, I have no platitudes or quips. Losing sucks.
- In which the last two weeks of photos are tallied by Madame Editor:
I didn’t have a column last week — I know, I know, but my class this semester is taking up a lot of time — so I’m back with some volleyball x3, soccer, football, cross country AND tennis! WOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Special thanks to our photographers Dan Murphy and Margo Jenkins, as well as special project photographer Casey Eaglin for their work!
We’ll forgive you, Karen… this time.
- Over at Rock M+, you really need to get in on Watkins’ thoughts on Mizzou Hoops’ returners. Or you can revisit the sad end to the Live Thread. Your choice!
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