Missouri CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. ‘Awake’ For Louisiana Tech’s Offense

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.

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).

“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.”

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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