Pro wrestler hams it up, ex-quarterback feels the love

WWE wrestler Gene Snitsky was in attendance at Saturday’s game. Snitsky, who was an offensive tackle with Missouri from 1988 to 1992, was shown on the video board at Memorial Stadium before the start of the second half. Wearing a red “Raw is War” tank top, Snitsky flexed his pectoral muscles for the crowd. He was in the process of taking his shirt off before the video board switched to other subjects.

CELEBRITY SIGHTING II: Former Missouri quarterback Brad Smith had one more chance to feel the love of Tiger fans.

Before the game, Smith signed autographs for hundreds of fans. One fan, freshman journalism major Eric Stann, estimated that he waited 30 minutes for Smith’s autograph.

“He was a real personable guy,” Stann said while wearing a replica no. 16 Missouri jersey. “He’s definitely my favorite Tiger player.”

Smith was seated to the left of the Independence Bowl trophy, won in the last game of his Missouri career.

TAILGATERS: Even though the game was a glorified scrimmage, some Missouri fans still found good reason to tailgate.

Two of them, Rancy Hastings of Webster Groves and Mike Mattox of Moberly, traveled in style. Mattox owns a 23-foot El Dorado National bus equipped with satellite TV, cabinets and couches. On the driver’s side there is an awning. On Saturday, Mattox and Hastings sat under the awning, watching the Oklahoma-Texas softball game on ESPN.

“It’s a nice thing to do on a Saturday afternoon,” Mattox said.

Mattox and Hastings both said they haven’t followed spring football that much this season, instead focusing their attention on the men’s basketball coaching situation. Hastings said he was going to watch the game to “get familiar” with the 2006 Tigers, although he did say he thinks the team “will be more consistent.”

“They’re going to surprise some people,” Mattox added.

IN GOOD HANDS: If a good tight end provides security for a young quarterback. Daniel may be the safest quarterback in the Big 12.

Tight ends Martin Rucker and Chase Coffman combined for eight catches and 104 yards receiving. Coffman also scored a touchdown on a 10-yard pass from Daniel in the first quarter. All spring, Pinkel has talked about how fortunate his team is to have Coffman and Rucker.

On Saturday he explained why.

“Anybody can go out there and catch a football. But who can make the tough catch? Who can make a 7-yard catch and turn it into an 18-yard game? Ultimately that’s what you want out of your tight ends,” Pinkel said. “It’s obvious that those two guys stand out that way and we’re very lucky to have those two guys.”

MOORE IS MORE: Safety William Moore provided one of the highlights for the Missouri defense.

In the second quarter, Moore intercepted a Brandon Coleman pass and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown. The play, worth 12 points in the spring scoring system, accounted for more than a quarter of the defense’s 43 points.

“We just stepped it up on that play,” Moore said of the defense.

The game was the first for Moore since he broke a bone in his right foot in the opening series of the Independence Bowl. He started at free safety on Saturday in place of the injured David Overstreet.