Ennis Rakestraw Jr. doesn’t put together for a crew like Louisiana Tech completely different from an SEC opponent. Each crew can march in Faurot Area on any given day and choose up a win.
In some circumstances, they do over Missouri.
Thursday night time will imply loads to followers of the Mizzou trustworthy because the Tigers look to tackle Louisiana Tech. It’ll imply a bit extra for Rakestraw, Missouri’s high cornerback who is about to return after struggling a torn ACL final October.
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It’s a brand new 12 months. New expectations are set in movement. One factor that Rakestraw refuses to do is let the SEC branding get in his manner of constructing performs towards an aggressive Bulldogs roster that’s coming for greater than a win.
“Tempo is likely one of the predominant issues we’ve seen from these guys,” Rakestraw stated Sunday. “They’ve some dynamic receivers on that facet of the ball, a brand new quarterback who is an efficient participant …. They’re going to make a whole lot of sensible selections.”
Missouri studied a pair of tapes when breaking down the Bulldogs’ offense. The primary was the 2021 roster that completed 3-9 underneath Skip Holtz. The second was of Texas Tech’s offense and the play design from coordinator Sonny Cumbie, who named Holtz’s substitute after taking up for Matt Effectively midseason in Lubbock.
The significance of watching the Crimson Raider movie wasn’t as a result of positions however moderately the route ideas. Cumbie persistently would work the center of the sector throughout his time because the play-caller for Tech but in addition wasn’t afraid to take deep photographs towards the suitable defensive look.
New Bulldogs quarterback Matthew Downing, a switch from TCU, could have the chance to attach with junior receiver Smoke Harris. Final 12 months, the 5-7 pass-catcher led Louisiana Tech in receptions (71), yards (756) and touchdowns (six).
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“He’s a dynamic receiver,” Rakestraw stated of Harris. “He’s a shifty man within the slot, and on the skin, he’s obtained some good releases and nice fingers. He will get out and in of his brakes fairly good.”
Rakestraw, the 6-foot, 175-pound cornerback from Dallas, seemingly will command the skin in 2022. That doesn’t imply a participant like Harris received’t match up with him on zone protection snaps or on performs Cumbie elects to play him on the perimeter.
Rakestraw needs to carry out admirably towards each receiver he faces on Saturdays. Through the summer time, he’d work one-on-one drills with SI All-American’s high receiver prospect Luther Burden.
It didn’t take lengthy for Rakestraw to see the expertise a participant of Burden’s abilities can deliver to the desk. The work ethic Burden possessed translated into drills throughout observe and upped the extent of competitors for Rakestraw in protection.
“Me and Luther have the identical mindset,” stated Rakestraw. “We obtained chirpy typically, but it surely was at all times good work with one another.”
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One recreation received’t outline Mizzou’s season, however a win begins the Tigers off on the suitable notice. Rakestraw needs to set the tone towards the Bulldogs and present that the failings of final season are left within the half.
If something, he’s excited to get again out on the sector and dwell motion for the primary time in 10 months. As a veteran of gamedays in Columbia, Rakestraw hopes everybody new can absorb the second however preserve the tip purpose near their chest.
“[Anyone new] could make title for themselves right here,” Rakestraw stated. “The best way we’ve ready and the way in which we have been doing issues, I really feel like everyone can have recreation.”
Kickoff is about for 7 p.m.
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Two former Missouri officers were charged in separate, unconnected cases in federal court this week over allegations that they illegally searched women’s phones during traffic stops to obtain intimate, explicit images found on the devices.
Julian Alcala, 29, who was employed as an officer with the city of Florissant, is charged with 20 counts of deprivation of rights and a count of destroying records in a federal investigation, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri announced Thursday.
The deprivation of rights specifically refers to being free from unreasonable search and seizure, established in the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
According to the federal indictment, Alcala would take women’s phones during traffic stops in order to confirm their insurance coverage or vehicle registration. But Alcala searched their phones for nude images and took photos on his own personal phone, the indictment said.
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In one case, Alcala allegedly texted himself a video and deleted evidence of the text.
Alcala is accused of doing this to 20 women between Feb. 6 and May 18 of this year.
The Florissant Police Department said in a statement to NBC News on Wednesday that it was completely unaware of the alleged behavior. Alcala had passed a “meticulous and thorough background investigation” during the hiring process and the department had not received a complaint about him in the 11 months of his employment.
“We are disgusted at this behavior, which is a complete betrayal of the values we uphold and in no way reflects the professionalism and integrity of our dedicated officers,” the department said. “We recognize the gravity of this breach of trust and its impact on our community.”
Alcala resigned in June after the Florissant Police Department was contacted by the FBI regarding an investigation into him, according to the department statement.
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Civil lawsuits have also been filed against Alcala and the city, including one which echoes an allegation made by federal prosecutors. A lawsuit filed in the same district court last month alleges that Alcala sent himself a private video made by a couple having sex.
The Jane Doe was pulled over in February, where Alcala allegedly took her phone back to his vehicle when she presented the insurance information that she stored on the device. The lawsuit said that she noticed “there was a deleted text message” from the time of the stop.
Alcala sent himself the video, deleted the message “in an effort to hide his tracks,” the suit said. He’s also accused of obtaining a nude photo from her phone in the same stop.
Attorney Bevis Schock is representing six people in civil litigation against Alcala in the city. He told NBC News affiliate KSDK that his clients are “real nice, normal people who do what police officers say.”
“The way this started was, the FBI called the victims,” Schock said. “And each victim said, ‘Well I got pulled over and he took my phone back.’”
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Court records show a warrant was issued for Alcala on Wednesday but it’s unclear if he is in custody. He has not yet made an appearance in court and does not have an attorney listed.
NBC News was unable to find contact information for Alcala using public records in an effort to reach him for comment on the case. An attorney representing the city of Florissant in a civil lawsuit in the case did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A similar, but unconnected, case was filed by the U.S. Attorney’s office on Tuesday against a former Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper.
David McKnight, 39, was indicted in the same federal court on nine counts of deprivation of rights and one count of destroying records. Federal prosecutors allege that he illegally searched the phones of nine women between September 2023 and August 2024 while working for the highway patrol.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, McKnight used his own phone to take pictures of nude images on the women’s phones after they gave him the devices to show their insurance or identification information. Most of the women were pulled over for traffic stops, the office said.
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The Missouri State Highway Patrol did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Missouri Department of Public Safety told NBC News that records show McKnight surrendered his state peace officer license, “which means he can never work as a Missouri law enforcement officer again.”
The federal prosecutor’s office told NBC News that McKnight and Alcala’s cases are not connected. It’s unclear if either of the men are in custody.
A public defender assigned to McKnight’s case did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.
Ashley Johnson, special-agent-in-charge of the FBI St. Louis Division, told people not to hesitate to report uncomfortable encounters with officers. Both cases were investigated by the FBI, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office press release.
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“If you feel your civil rights have been violated, contact the FBI,” Johnson said. “Investigating criminal conduct by a law enforcement officer is among our top priorities.”
The Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils (1-1) face the Missouri Tigers (2-1) on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at Mizzou Arena. It begins at 7:30 PM ET on SEC Network+.
In its previous game, Missouri were winners at home over Eastern Washington, 84-77. Its top performers were Caleb Grill (33 PTS, 9 REB, 2 STL, 76.92 FG%, 8-10 from 3PT) and Mark Mitchell (13 PTS, 2 STL, 60 FG%).
Mississippi Valley State were winners at home over Mississippi University for Women 66-49 last time out, and were led by Alvin Stredic Jr. (14 PTS, 66.67 FG%) and Arthur Tate (12 PTS, 83.33 FG%, 2-3 from 3PT).
To prepare for this college hoops matchup, here’s everything you need to get ready for Thursday’s action.
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Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
Watch college basketball on Fubo!
Missouri Tigers vs. Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils
Game day: Thursday, November 14, 2024
Game time: 7:30 PM ET
TV: SEC Network+
Live stream: Log into ESPN using your Fubo account to access SEC Network+
NCAA Basketball Odds and Betting Lines
Spread: Missouri -33.5
Total: 140
College basketball odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Thursday at 7:59 AM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.
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The 2024 Missouri high school cross country season wrapped up this weekend in Gans Creek Cross Country Course when the MSHSAA hosted the Class 1 to Class 5 finals between Friday and Saturday.
The festivities held featured sunny conditions on Friday and pouring down rain and mud on Saturday. The weekend saw some new champions and some repeat winners — both individually and in the team standings.
Here is every 2024 MSHSAA state champion from the cross country championships:
FRIDAY
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CLASS 5 GIRLS
Top 3 finishers
1. Bella Navaro-Sanchez, Wentzville Liberty
2. Lucy Wright, Liberty North
3. Savannah Amann, St. Joseph’s Academy
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Team champion: Eureka
The state trophy was No. 10 for the Lady Wildcats but it was the first championship. Four previous times, Eureka finished as the runners-up. The team had three all-staters: Madison Schepis, Sofia Hoerchler and Daphne Bishop, who was seventh.
CLASS 5 BOYS
Top 3 finishers
1. Henry Acorn, Rockhurst
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2. Graham Stevener, Kirkwood
3. Luke Sievers, Columbia Rock Bridge
Team champion: Rockhurst
The Hawklets had the champion, a fifth-place finisher in Andrew Davis and Jack McGovern, a freshman, placed ninth. The trophy was the seventh for the Kansas City Jesuit school. This was the thrid title since 2016 for the Hawklets.
CLASS 1 GIRLS
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Top 3 finishers
1. Sonya Brunner, Jefferson City Calvary Lutheran
2. Faith Clark, Mansfield
3. Mya Wray, Platte Valley
Team champion: Dora
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The Lady Falcons won the school’s first title in the sport by a seven-point margin ahead of Chadwick, last year’s state champion. Sophomore Isabelle Martin paced Dora by placing 17th.
CLASS 1 BOYS
Top 3 finishers
1. Nolyn Corder, Mansfield
2. Landen Chapman, Paris
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3. Michael Parrigon, Joplin McAuley Catholic
Team champion: McAuley Catholic
The Warriors had five all-staters – top 30 – and secured the school’s first-ever state championship in not only cross country, but any sports for boys or girls. Parrigon played in a district soccer playoff game the night before the state meet.
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CLASS 4 BOYS
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Top 3 finishers
1. Carson Driemeier, Festus
2. Liam Adair, Smithville
3. Tate Uding, Festus
Team champion: West Plains
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Despite Festus having two in the top three, the state power Zizzers won the title by 22 points. The top five all placed in the top 30, headlined by senior Kyler Gunter in 13th. This was state trophy No. 38 overall and 14th first-place finish.
CLASS 4 GIRLS
Top 3 finishers
1. Kayleigh Norris, Harrisonville
2. Gabrielle Moresi, Parkway Central
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3. Lucy Boyer, Festus
Team champion: Festus
The Lady Tigers won the championship by 10 points, keeping West Plains from sweeping the title. This was the third crown for the St. Louis-area school, all since 2014.
CLASS 3 GIRLS
Top 3 finishers
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1. Brianna Krueger, St. Charles West
2. Kelly Frank, Kansas City Notre Dame de Sion
3. Ilene Limberg, Owensville
Team champion: St. Charles West
For the third year in a row, the Lady Warriors took home a state title. The last Class 3 school to do that was Kearney, from 2009-2011. Since MSHSAA to more than three champions in 1998, no Class 3 has won four in a row.
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CLASS 3 BOYS
Top 3 finishers
1. Brian Burns, Southern Boone
2. Wyatt Klaiber, El Dorado Springs
3. Sean Burns, Southern Boone
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Team champion: Centralia
The Panthers took home a state title, a year after a third-place finish was the school’s first-ever trophy for the program last year. Carter Moss and Nolan Spickert finished 12th and 13th, respectively for the champions, who won by 10 points.
CLASS 2 GIRLS
Top 3 finishers
1. Addison Smith, Lexington
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2. Clara Trent, Springfield New Covenant Academy
3. Chloe Heckman, North Platte
Team champion: Lexington
After Smith’s title, Phoebe Engelbrecht (10th) and Tessa Lovell (11th) were also all-staters – and all three are underclassmen. Over the past 6 years, there’s been six different champions in Class 2. This was the Minutewomen’s third straight trophy and first title.
CLASS 2 BOYS
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Top 3 finishers
1. Chael Lichte, Lexington
2. Brandon Hammett, Butler
3. Colton McMillan, Joplin New Heights Christian Academy
Team champion: Woodland
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The southeast Missouri won a title for the second year in a row – which happened after Stockton won the two previous titles before them. The Cardinals had all-state times from Calvin Layton, Hayden Vangennip and Drew Garner.
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