MU Football

Quarter-by-quarter recaps of the Missouri-Western Michigan football game

Will Franklin is situated in front of a helicopter at the University Health Center. The Tiger wide receiver has arrived slightly later than the agreed-upon 6 p.m. meeting time.

Click on a picture to find out more about MU's receivers.

Though he’s still near the beginning of a life in football, A.J. Ricker, 27, has some life lessons to share.

In its past two games, the Missouri football team's focus has faded the more its lead has grown. The Tigers hope to fix the trend in their home opener Saturday against Western Michigan.

Nose-tackle Lorenzo Williams and his defensive unit are trying to correct problems that have turned blow-outs into close games the past two weeks.

Tigers coach Gary Pinkel says he is responsible for lapses on both sides of the ball after halftime that caused big leads against Illinois and Ole Miss to get uncomfortably slim.

There is a right way and a wrong way. And then there is the Manning Way. And when you’re in Oxford, a college town where tradition permeates the muggy air like the smell of deep fried chicken and deviled eggs, the Manning Way is the only way.

If you pick up any roster or depth chart for the Missouri Tigers, the abbreviation next to Martin Rucker’s name says “TE” for tight end. However, the last two weeks Rucker has moved around so much in the offense, he could just as easily be attached to a UTL label — as the team’s utility player.

It should have been a laugher, a 30-minute sitcom starring quarterback Chase Daniel and his talented ensemble of receivers, tight ends and running backs. But the Tigers dominated in the first half, allowed Ole Miss fans to regain hope in the second half, then held on to beat the Rebels 38-25.

“We’re way better than that,” said MU running back Tony Temple after the Tigers' rushing game struggled against Illinois, almost costing them the game.