Scouting report: Kentucky football travels to Missouri
University of Missouri quarterback Drew Lock makes a pass against Georgia on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. Photo by Adam Cole | The Maneater (University of Missouri’s independent student news publication)
October 25, 2018
The Missouri Tigers (4-3, 0-3 SEC) face the No. 12 ranked Kentucky Wildcats (6-1, 4-1 SEC) for their 5th home game of the season this Saturday. Two of the Tigers’ three losses came to No.1 ranked Alabama and No. 2 ranked Georgia.
Their record does not indicate they’re a great team, but the Tigers led by top NFL prospect Drew Lock have the third ranked offense in total yards in the SEC. Lock, who is projected to be a first round pick in the upcoming draft, is third in total touchdowns this season in the SEC.
The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder was one of the best quarterbacks in 2017, setting the SEC single season passing touchdown record with 44 touchdowns. He was also top 10 in both yards per average and passer rating, and as one of the top ranked quarterbacks coming into the season, he’s shown why he was ranked so highly.
Lock has thrown for 16 touchdowns on the season and rushed for three more on the ground. The running game is bolstered by sophomore Larry Rountree III, rushing for 549 yards and seven touchdowns on the season. He is averaging 5.8 yards per carry.
Backup running backs Damarea Crockett and Tyler Badie have combined for 733 yards and five touchdowns. More players to watch our for include senior receiver Emanuel Hall, who is averaging 23.9 yards per reception and three touchdowns this season, and sophomore tight end Albert Okwuegbunam, who’s tallied five touchdown receptions.
The Tigers are coming off a home win against the Memphis Tigers, in which Lock completed 79 percent of his passes and threw for 350 yards and four touchdowns. Rountree III earned 118 yards on nine carries and three touchdowns.
The Tigers also had two players with more than 100 yards receiving— Okwuegbunam with 159 yards and three touchdowns and freshman receiver Jalen Knox with 104 yards and one touchdown.
The game will be one of the toughest challenges faced by the Wildcats this season, with the defense going up against a top SEC offense and a potential first rounder in Drew Lock.
The ESPN’s Football Power Index gives the Tigers a 64.5 percent chance to win as of Wednesday afternoon. The line on the game is Missouri by seven, and the over/under is set at 55.
The game can be seen on SEC Network and will kick off at 4 p.m. E.T.