Tigers happy with spread

Missouri’s receivers are hot.

Not only in the sense of highlight-reel catches, but also because no matter what play is called, any receiver can get the ball.

In the Tigers’ first four games, up to nine different players have made catches in a single game. Twelve different players have receptions so far this year.

Receivers coach Andy Hill said the team has a deep group of receivers.

“With the talent level we have with our group it could be Will (Franklin), it could be Tommy Saunders, it could be Brad Ekwerekwu,” Hill said. “Those guys all have the chance to make plays.”

Franklin has touchdown catches of 68, 60 and 34 yards to go along with a 40-yard reception this season, while freshman Jared Perry has a 35-yard touchdown catch. The unit, as a whole, has nine touchdowns.

Franklin said he credits the spread offense for the distribution of balls.

“There is something about the spread offense that it can help you make the team play a guessing game with you,” Franklin said. “We are doing that pretty good so far and we are going to try to continue to do that.”

Three different players have led Missouri in game-high receptions and in each game at least five players have multiple-reception games.

Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said distributing the ball helps the team.

“The good news is these guys are unselfish, and what happens when other players’ games go to a higher level, then it allows us to be a better offensive football team because you can’t put a circle around two tight ends and say ‘These are the two guys they throw to.’”

Coming into the season, many people predicted tight ends Martin Rucker and Chase Coffman would be quarterback Chase Daniel’s main targets. But four games into the year, Franklin leads the team with 20 catches and 343 yards, while the tight ends are second and third in receptions and receiving yards.

“The more you distribute the ball, the more people have to worry about catching the ball,” Daniel said. “... We want to have four or five guys with 60 catches or so. We really want to spread the ball out, not just focus on one or two guys.”

Ekwerekwu said he jokes with Daniel about throwing it to Rucker and Coffman, but he acknowledges that the tight ends help open up the field for receivers.

“If we are efficient and we are winning, it doesn’t matter how many catches I get or the wide receivers get,” Ekwerekwu said. “If we run the ball for 800 yards a game, that’s fine.”

Hill said he credits the receivers’ preparation for the unit’s strong play.

“Getting ready to play is half the battle,” Hill said. “They come in; they are ready to practice and practice hard. It is a group effort. They are pulling for each other no matter who is in the football game and I think that has gone a long way to all their success.”

One way Missouri tried to open up the field for tight ends and receivers alike is by throwing deep balls. Last week Franklin scored on a 68-yarder, while Jason Ray dropped a deep ball and Rucker failed to catch a wide-open 35-yard throw in the end zone.

Pinkel said it is important for the offense to attempt long passes every once in a while and to stretch defenses to make things easier for the offense.

“It’s difficult to go drive after drive after drive of offensive execution without breakdowns,” Pinkel said. “I don’t care how good you are, eventually you are going to break down. So you get some big plays; it makes it easier.”

Daniel said the team threw more deep balls Saturday because of the way Ohio played.

“That’s just what the defense is giving us,” Daniel said. “I think that’s why the completion percentage was down way too much. We got to take shots deep and they were sitting on us in a cover four (defense) at 10 yards. We had to do some stuff to take them off.”