Missouri
Showdown with No. 9 Missouri offers No. 25 Texas A&M opportunity to make a statement
Among the storylines for Missouri’s visit to Kyle Field, there’s the potential ratings bonanza of the only game Saturday between ranked teams; the rare brother-vs.-sister rivalry; and College Football Hall of Fame recognition of former Texas A&M and Cowboys cornerback Kevin Smith, or Pup, as he’s known around these parts.
Then there’s this, too: The 25th-ranked Aggies could officially present themselves as playoff contenders as well as Texas’ second-biggest roadblock.
Not as big of a problem for the Longhorns as Georgia, probably, at least not in talent, but bigger than Oklahoma.
Considering how poorly the Aggies started in Mike Elko’s ill-fated debut against No. 7 Notre Dame, this positioning ranks as a significant sign of progress in just five weeks. A win over the ninth-ranked Tigers would only further enhance the Aggies’ national prospects.
On one hand, Missouri seems like a stiffer test than the Fighting Irish. Brady Cook is a proven quarterback with a fine set of receivers led by Luther Burden III, a Deebo Samuel starter kit. The Tigers’ defense is top 10 nationally. They’re also coming off an 11-2 season punctuated with a 14-3 exclamation point made on Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.
On the other hand, the Tigers’ four wins this season have come against the likes of Murray State, Buffalo, No. 24 Boston College and Vanderbilt, which required two OTs, no less.
Might explain why the Aggies go in as 2.5-point favorites Saturday.
Elko and Missouri’s coach, Eli Drinkwitz, go way back, no doubt a factor in some of the pals’ back-and-forth banter this week. After Elko listed Conner Weigman as a “game-time decision” at quarterback, Drinkwitz deemed it “semantics” during the SEC coaches call.
Citing the Aggies’ 3-0 record under Marcel Reed, Drinkwitz said, “I don’t see them going back.” Me, neither. Even before Weigman sprained the AC joint in his shoulder, he didn’t look anything like he did before he got hurt last year. Just the same, he’s a former five-star quarterback with considerable upside as a passer. Elko conceded after a less-than-artful win over Arkansas at JerryWorld that the Aggies need to get their passing game “unhinged.” Might even suggest an element of gamesmanship for Saturday.
Only Drinkwitz isn’t buying it, if that’s what Elko was selling. Drinkwitz noted that the Aggies’ offense is “a lot different” than it was against Notre Dame. Reid, he said, is a better fit for the new system.
“Our bread and butter,” Elko affirmed this week, “is running the football and being physical.”
Fortunately for the Aggies, they have the personnel to do just that. Besides Reed’s ability to get out of trouble, Le’Veon Moss can either run through or around you, makes no difference to him. The 6-foot, 215-pound junior has piled up 471 yards, only 13 fewer than he totaled last year.
He’s also supplied a motto for a program trying desperately to put the previous regime in its rear-view mirror.
Asked what he remembered about a long run against the Razorbacks last week, Moss said, “I don’t remember much. I just be ballin’, really.”
Remember that answer, fellas, next time someone asks about Jimbo Fisher.
Otherwise, the opposing coaches did enough talking for everybody this week, which was much appreciated.
Elko playfully took issue with remarks made by Cook when the Tigers’ quarterback was asked about the noise level at Kyle Field, roughly the equivalent of planes leaving DFW. Cook said he thought it was louder at Missouri’s practices, where speakers get in his face like Georgia defenders. On his coaches show, Elko called the characterization “a challenge to the 12th Man.”
Elko also jumped feet-first into the fun-filled familial rivalry between Reed and his older sister, Briah, Missouri’s associate director of on-campus recruiting. Elko joked that he’d hoped she could “get out to practice and find some secrets.”
For his part, Drinkwitz, who claims he didn’t even know Briah and Marcel were related until after the Aggies’ win over Florida, may or may not have been kidding when he said, “At the end of the day, that’s her brother and that’s her blood,” then pronounced the coaches’ offices and copy machine off-limits this week.
Turns out the joke is on both coaches. Rod Reed, father of Briah and Marcel, told KBTX-TV that the siblings “love each other to death,” but they’re accustomed to positions on opposing sidelines. They went to competing high schools back in Nashville. Briah was a cheerleader at Brentwood Academy; Marcel, a multi-sport star at Montgomery Bell Academy.
“They might not speak for a day or so after the game,” Rod said. “Maybe two days when Marcel and them won.”
Marcel has done nothing but win since taking over for Weigman. He’s getting a lot of help from an A&M defense anchored by edge rusher Nic Scourton, one of the best players from the portal this year. If the Aggies play Elko’s brand of defense against Missouri and Reed steps up as a passer, they can make a statement Saturday.
Like Texas should expect more than just Thanksgiving leftovers.
Twitter/X: @KSherringtonDMN
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Between December 19, 2024, and December 21, 2024, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported eight arrests in north Missouri. The charges ranged from driving while intoxicated (DWI) to vehicle theft and traffic violations. Below is a detailed account of each individual arrested during this period.
Rodney L. Crosby, 43, Council Bluffs, Iowa
On December 19, 2024, at 1:58 p.m., Rodney L. Crosby was arrested in Atchison County. Crosby was charged with vehicle theft under an Emmet County, Iowa, warrant. He was held at the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office with no bond.
Michael L. McMillan, 51, Kansas City, Missouri
On December 19, 2024, at 9:12 p.m., Michael L. McMillan was arrested in Andrew County. He faced charges for driving while intoxicated (DWI), a misdemeanor, speeding, and failing to properly affix a display plate. McMillan was held at the Andrew County Jail on a 12-hour hold.
Denny B. Wiley, 36, Stanberry, Missouri
On December 20, 2024, at 2:33 p.m., Denny B. Wiley was arrested in Gentry County. Wiley was charged with failing to display valid plates on a motor vehicle and misdemeanor DWI. He was held at the Gentry County Sheriff’s Office on a 12-hour hold.
Donita D. Shields, 48, Lee’s Summit, Missouri
On December 20, 2024, at 6:29 p.m., Donita D. Shields was arrested in Clinton County. She was charged with failure to appear (FTA) for a moving traffic violation under a Morgan County warrant. Shields was held at the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office and was bondable.
Bryan J. Castellon Rivas, 22, Omaha, Nebraska
On December 20, 2024, at 10:54 p.m., Bryan J. Castellon Rivas was arrested in Holt County. His charges included exceeding the posted speed limit by 26 mph or more, operating a vehicle without a valid license (first offense), misdemeanor DWI (alcohol), and consuming alcohol while driving. He was held at the Holt County Sheriff’s Office on a 12-hour hold.
Curt J. Batt, 65, Sidney, Nebraska
On December 19, 2024, at 1:15 p.m., Curt J. Batt was arrested in Macon County. Batt was charged with excessive blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .04 or higher while operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). He was held at the Macon County Sheriff’s Department and later released.
George A. Garber, 62, Unionville, Missouri
On December 19, 2024, at 7:13 p.m., George A. Garber was arrested in Putnam County. He was charged with felony DWI (alcohol) as an aggravated offender. Garber was held at the Putnam County Jail and later released.
Jose I. Molina-Argueta, 40, Milan, Missouri
On December 21, 2024, at 12:03 a.m., Jose I. Molina-Argueta was arrested in Sullivan County. He faced a charge of DWI (alcohol) and was held at the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department before being released.
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Both east- and westbound Lance Cpl. Leon Deraps Interstate 70 Missouri River bridges now are open to traffic.
The Missouri Department of Transportation announced the full opening of both bridges Friday. A ribbon-cutting marking the occasion was held Dec. 10 on the eastbound bridge. Prior to the eastbound bridge opening, all traffic, regardless of travel direction, was on the westbound bridge.
The westbound bridge was constructed first, all traffic was shifted to it and then the prior metal girder bridge was demolished. The new eastbound bridge was built in same location as the old bridge. The dual-bridge construction was forward looking in preparation for I-70’s expansion to six lanes statewide.
While the eastbound bridge is open, final touches still are needed and all work should finish by the spring.
“These twin new bridges would not have been possible without the foresight, cooperation and contributions of our federal and state elected leaders as well as the local communities who recognized the long-term value of investing in a bridge that connects their region, the state and the nation,” said Dustin Boatwright, Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission chair at the ribbon-cutting. “This project is a testimony to what’s possible when we work together at all levels.”
The Missouri Tigers added a second offensive lineman Friday evening, acquiring former Wake Forest offensive tackle Keagen Trost. The Tigers also added former Michigan center Dominick Giudice just hours before.
Trost joins Missouri with one season of eligibility left while Giudice has two. Trost committed to Missouri during his official visit, also visiting Nebraska one day before announcing his commitment Missouri,
Trost also had offers to Florida State and Nebraska amongst others. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound offensive lineman started in all 12 regular season games for Wake Forest in 2024, 11 at right tackle, and one at left tackle.
On 468 pass blocking snaps in 2024, Trost allowed 19 pressures.
Trost joined Wake Forest in 2024 after transferring over from Indiana State, where he played from 2021-’23. Before opting out of the COVID season in 2020, Trost played for Morgan State. He started in seven games for Indiana State in 2023.
Missouri will lose starters at both right tackle and left tackle, with junior Armand Membou declaring for the NFL draft, and Marcus Bryant running out of elligibility.
Trost is Missouri’s ninth addition through the transfer portal thus far, but only the fourth on the offense. The Tigers have also added Giudice, wide receiver Kevin Coleman (Mississsippi State), Ahmad Hardy (Louisana Monroe).
The early transfer portal window officially closes on Dec. 28.
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