COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Women’s Basketball senior guard Sophie Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) has been named to the watch list for the 2019 Cheryl Miller Award, as announced by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association on Wednesday. The annual award is in its second year and recognizes the top small forwards in women’s NCAA Division I college basketball.

Cunningham, a finalist for last year’s award, was one of 20 candidates named to this season’s watch list. She is the only remaining member of last year’s five finalists.

A national committee of top women’s college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers will narrow the watch list candidates down to 10 and then five finalists by March. From there, fans will then have the chance to vote for their favorite finalist as the winner will be revealed during the Final Four weekend in Tampa, Florida.

Last season, Cunningham averaged 18.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in her junior campaign, and was the only player in the nation to shoot better than 54 percent from the field (54.2 percent, 186-for-343), 45 percent from three (45.7 percent, 69-for-151) and 83 percent from the free throw line (83.6 percent, 133-for-159). She scored in double figures in 28 of 31 games she played in, and ranked fourth in the NCAA in three-point percentage as she earned AP All-America Honorable Mention and All-SEC First Team honors, each for the second consecutive season.

— Mizzou Athletics —

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Football senior QB Drew Lock (Lee’s Summit, Mo.) has been named to the Davey O’Brien Award Week 9 Great 8, announced Wednesday by the Davey O’Brien Award. Lock was one of eight quarterbacks to earn a spot on the list, which honors college football’s top quarterbacks each week.

Lock had another great performance last Saturday, guiding the Mizzou offense to 65 points and more than 600 total yards of offense. He completed 23-of-29 passes for 350 yards with a season-high four touchdowns and zero interceptions. His QB rating of 226.21 is the sixth-best mark in school history. Lock’s 350 yards vs. Memphis moved his career total to 10,674, now seventh-best in SEC history. He enters this week needing just 201 yards to catch Florida’s Danny Wuerffel for sixth place. Lock’s four TD passes last week give him 87 in his career and with one more, he will tie Florida’s Tim Tebow and Chris Leak for the fourth-most in SEC history. He needs just three TD passes to move ahead of Tennessee’s Peyton Manning for third in SEC history.

Among active FBS quarterbacks, Lock is third with his 10,674 career passing yards. Only Boise State’s Brett Rypien (12,042) and Washington’s Jake Browning (11,005) rank ahead of Lock. With 350 yards vs. Memphis, Lock now has 12 career 300-yard games, second in school history behind only Daniel (20). Lock registered his 11th career game with four or more TDs vs. Memphis – he has nine such games among his last 13. He now has 46 career TD passes of 20+ yards, the most in school history.

Mizzou Football returns home Saturday to host No. 12/14 Kentucky in an SEC East showdown. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. on ESPN 1550.

— Mizzou Athletics —

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Football standout sophomore TE Albert Okwuegbunam (Springfield, Ill.) is the Mackey Award Tight End of the Week, announced Wednesday by the John Mackey Award. This marks the first time that he has earned this distinction in his career.

Last Saturday against Memphis, Okwuegbunam caught six passes for a career-high 159 yards and three touchdowns to help lead the way in Mizzou’s 65-33 win over Memphis which broke a three-game losing streak for the Tigers. His touchdowns came from 58 yards out, 47 yards out and 23 yards out, and they were all big momentum plays, as each one came following a Memphis score.

His first TD was arguably the biggest momentum play of the game, as he faked a run block and snuck past the crashing linebackers to get free down the seam for his 58-yard catch-and-run score with 8:47 left in the second quarter that gave Mizzou a 27-17 lead. Memphis had scored 17-straight points before that, but his score erased that momentum and was the first of three unanswered TDs by Mizzou that took the lead to 41-17.

His second score, from 47 yards out, came on a similar play with just 1:07 before halftime and it gave Mizzou a 48-20 lead which they would take into the locker room. His last score answered a Memphis TD in the third quarter and a 55-27 lead with 4:26 left in the quarter.

He is the first tight end in the nation with a three-touchdown day in 2018, and the big game was reminiscent of his freshman season when he had four multi-touchdown games, and led all Power Five tight ends with 11 touchdowns in 2017. Additionally, his 159-yard game is the most among tight ends for all FBS schools, through games of Oct. 20.

The three-TD performance gives Okwuegbunam five career games scoring multiple TDs, tying the most ever by a Mizzou TE. 2008 Mackey Award Winner Chase Coffman had five in his career as well, but did not record his fifth such game until his 51st career game as senior. Okwuegbunam has done it in just 20 games.

Through just 20 games, Okwuegbunam is already eighth on Mizzou’s career TD list with 16 in his 20 games as a Tiger.

— Mizzou Athletics —

COLUMBIA, Mo. – For the second time this season, Mizzou WR Jalen Knox (Mansfield, Texas) has been named the SEC Freshman of the Week, following another great performance in Mizzou’s 65-33 Homecoming win over Memphis. Knox caught five passes for 104 yards and a touchdown, a 44-yard strike that gave Mizzou total control of the game.

After claiming SEC Freshman of the Week honors following a breakout performance at Purdue earlier this season, Knox has now earned the distinction twice this season. The last Tiger to earn multiple SEC Freshman of the Week honors was QB Maty Mauk in 2013.

Knox’s TD came on a 44-yarder in the second quarter that extended Mizzou’s lead from 27-17 to 34-17, and gave the Tigers some breathing room after Memphis had minutes earlier closed to 21-17. The game marked his second 100-yard receiving game of the season, adding to his 110-yard, one-touchdown game earlier in the year at Purdue.

Knox is second in the SEC, and fifth nationally among all freshmen with 384 receiving yards through games of Oct. 20. He has 20 receptions in all for 384 yards and three scores. Knox is performing at a high level with added pressure on him, as he has been forced into the number-one receiver role, due to injuries to senior starters Emanuel Hall and Nate Brown, which have kept them out for the past three games.

— Mizzou Athletics —

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri star Jontay Porter tore ligaments in his knee during a closed scrimmage with Southern Illinois on Sunday and will miss the upcoming season.

The school said the sophomore forward tore his ACL and MCL but declined further comment.

The 6-foot-11 Porter averaged 9.9 points and 6.8 rebounds as a freshman last season, helping the Tigers reach the NCAA Tournament. His brother, Michael Porter Jr., was supposed to star on that team but played in just three games before back surgery sidelined him the rest of the season.

Porter Jr. was chosen in the first round of the NBA draft.

Johntay also considered the draft before deciding to return to Missouri in an attempt to boost his draft stock. Now, Porter may have to return for yet another season.

— Associated Press —

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Defense came at a premium in Missouri’s homecoming game against Memphis. The teams combined for 68 points in the first half, and continued to keep the scoreboard operator busy in the second.

When it was all said and done, Missouri rolled over Memphis. Drew Lock threw for 350 yards and four touchdowns on 23-for-29 passing, and Missouri defeated Memphis 65-33 in its homecoming game on Saturday.

After losing three straight Southeastern Conference contests, Missouri (4-3) responded with a much-needed victory. It jumped out to a 21-0 lead less than six minutes into the game, and never relinquished it.

“I thought the offensive staff leading up to today, they did a heck of a job of putting together a game plan, finding a way to get us some matchups,” Missouri coach Barry Odom said. “Some one-on-one matchups. And formationally, we were able to do some things that really gave us an advantage.”

Albert Okwuegbunam took advantage of one-on-one coverage multiple times throughout the contest. He caught six passes for 159 yards and three touchdowns and Jalen Knox had five catches for 104 yards and a score.

All of Memphis’ scoring came without star running back Darrell Henderson, who exited the game after four carries in the first quarter. He was seen riding on a stationary bike and left to the locker room in the second quarter.

Henderson entered the game leading the nation with 1,133 rushing yards, 15 total touchdowns and 10.3 yards per carry. Tony Pollard and Patrick Taylor Jr. split carries the rest of the way, and Memphis’ rushing attack was limited to 4.6 yards per carry.

Missouri sprinted out of the gates by blocking a punt on Memphis’ first drive and Christian Holmes intercepted Brady White’s pass for a 42-yard touchdown return on Memphis’ second drive.

Memphis (4-4) climbed back with 17 straight points, but Missouri responded with 20 consecutive of its own. Missouri’s defense slowed down the visiting Tigers in the second half, and the home Tigers cruised to their first victory since Sept. 15 against Purdue.

THE TAKEAWAY

Memphis: Contrary to its close game against No. 10 Central Florida last week, Memphis looked thoroughly outplayed against Missouri. Memphis fans will be closely watching the status of Henderson’s injury.

“Not the showing we wanted to have,” Memphis coach Mike Norvell said. “Got off to a slow start, turned the ball over, had miscues in every phase and gave up too many explosive plays defensively and had some missed assignments that really cost us.”

Missouri: The Tigers broke out of their three-game losing streak in a big way. Lock and the Missouri offense found its form, and the Tigers look to carry momentum into the second half of SEC play.

TURNING POINT

After 17 unanswered Memphis points, Missouri faced a fourth-and-1 on its own 34. Lock completed a pass to Jonathon Johnson. The next play was a 58-yard touchdown pass to Albert Okwuegbunam. Missouri scored 20 consecutive points to open up its lead.

“It’s a pretty gutsy call,” Lock said. “The tides turned. We picked that up, we scored. Came back, scored again. The momentum swang in our way. It was a big point in the game.”

HENDERSON HURT

Against Missouri, Henderson spent more time riding the bike than running the ball. Memphis coach Mike Norvell described the injury as a “tweak” and declined to be more specific. Pollard was prepared to come in relief.

“It’s a `next man’ mentality,” Pollard said. “That’s how we go about things. You’ve just got to be ready when your number’s called.”

UNLOCKED

Lock threw for just one touchdown and five interceptions in his previous three games. The last time he tossed for over 300 yards and four touchdowns came against Wyoming in week two, when he compiled 398 yards and four touchdowns.

“I thought he was smart with the ball,” Odom said. “He’s continuing to grow, he’s such a talented kid and player. In-game adjustments, I thought, was maybe one of the best ways that he’s done up to this point.”

UP NEXT

Memphis has a bye week before facing East Carolina on Nov. 3.

Missouri returns to conference play with a home matchup next Saturday against No. 14 Kentucky.

— Associated Press —

COLUMBIA, MO. – Mizzou sophomore forward Jontay Porter (Columbia, Mo.) was selected Preseason Second Team All-SEC by a panel of SEC and national media members, it was announced by the league office on Wednesday.

Porter returns to the Tigers after a stellar freshman campaign that ended with SEC Co-Sixth Man of the Year recognition and SEC All-Freshman Team honors. He averaged 9.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, appearing in all 33 contests and earning seven starts a season ago.

Porter elevated his play during league action, averaging 11.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.4 blocked shots per game during conference play. In Mizzou’s final 12 games, Porter reached double figures nine times and posted 13.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per outing to help the Tigers clinch an NCAA Tournament berth down the stretch.

The 6-foot-11 forward led Mizzou in both rebounding and blocked shots as a freshman, while draining 40 triples and shooting 43.7 percent from the floor. Porter’s 55 blocked shots in 2017-18 were the third-most by a Mizzou freshman in program history.

Mizzou was picked to finish ninth in the SEC media preseason poll. The Tigers open the 2018-19 campaign on Nov. 6 vs. Central Arkansas. Tipoff at Mizzou Arena is set for 7 p.m. CT. Tickets are available for the upcoming season at MUTigers.com/MBBTix.

Preseason Media Poll
1. Kentucky
2. Tennessee
3. Auburn
4. Mississippi State
5. Florida
6. LSU
7. Alabama
8. Vanderbilt
9. Missouri
10. Arkansas
11. South Carolina
12. Texas A&M
13. Georgia
14. Ole Miss

First Team All-SEC
Daniel Gafford – Arkansas
Reid Travis – Kentucky
Tremont Waters – LSU
Chris Silva – South Carolina
Grant Williams – Tennessee

Second Team All-SEC
Bryce Brown – Auburn
Jared Harper – Auburn
Jalen Hudson – Florida
PJ Washington – Kentucky
Quinndary Weatherspoon – Mississippi State
Jontay Porter – Missouri
Admiral Schofield – Tennessee

SEC Player of the Year
Grant Williams – Tennessee

— Mizzou Athletics —

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Women’s Basketball was selected to finish fifth in the Southeastern Conference Tuesday by a select voting panel of both SEC and national media members as the league office announced its 2018-19 SEC Preseason Media Poll. In addition, senior Sophie Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) was one of seven players selected to the Preseason All-SEC team.

Mizzou was picked to finish fifth behind Mississippi State, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia. Each team picked ahead of the Tigers advanced to the NCAA Tournament last season, with South Carolina making the Elite Eight and Mississippi State ending the season as the runner-up.

Cunningham was one of three players to receive votes for the Preseason SEC Women’s Basketball Player of the Year award, which ended up going to Mississippi State’s Teaira McCowan.

Cunningham averaged 18.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in her junior campaign, and was the only player in the nation to shoot better than 54 percent from the field (54.2 percent, 186-for-343), 45 percent from three (45.7 percent, 69-for-151) and 83 percent from the free throw line (83.6 percent, 133-for-159). She scored in double figures in 28 of 31 games she played in, and ranked fourth in the NCAA in three-point percentage as she earned AP All-America Honorable Mention honors for the second consecutive season.

As a team last season, Mizzou earned a third consecutive NCAA Tournament berth for the first time since 1984-86. Head Coach Robin Pingeton’s squad won 11 conference games for the second straight season, the first back-to-back seasons with 11 plus conference wins since 1983-84 and 1984-85. Mizzou is 13-3 at home against SEC opponents in the past two seasons.

PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
1. Mississippi State
2. South Carolina
3. Tennessee
4. Georgia
5. Mizzou
6. Texas A&M
7. Kentucky
8. Auburn
9. LSU
10. Alabama
11. Arkansas
12. Florida
13. Vanderbilt
14. Ole Miss

Player of the Year
Teaira McCowan, Mississippi State

Preseason All-SEC

Calyia Robinson, Georgia
Anriel Howard, Mississippi State
Teaira McCowan, Mississippi State
Sophie Cunningham, Mizzou
Alexis Jennings, South Carolina
Rennia Davis, Tennessee
Chennedy Carter, Texas A&M

— Mizzou Athletics —

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou senior P Corey Fatony (Franklin, Tenn.) is one of eight punters named to the Ray Guy Award Week 7 Ray’s 8, announced Monday by the Augusta Sports Council. Fatony, who is one of the nation’s elite college punters, is coming off his best game this season at No. 1 Alabama. He averaged 43.7 yards per punt on six kicks, pinning the Tide inside their 20 on four separate occasions.

Fatony, one of the nation’s best when it comes to limiting return yards, allowed just one return yard on six kicks last week. He had four punts inside the 20, showing precision accuracy, while his other two kicks were both 50+ yard boots.

On the year, Fatony is averaging a career-best 44.7 yards per punt and has just one touchback on 19 punts. He has pinned the opponent inside the 20 nine times and has six kicks of 50+ yards.

Mizzou Football will return home for the first time in nearly a month, hosting Memphis for the school’s 107th Homecoming. The game will kick at 3 p.m. on ESPN 1550.

— Mizzou Athletics —

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Tua Tagovailoa passed for 265 yards and three touchdowns before leaving early in No. 1 Alabama’s 39-10 victory over Missouri on Saturday night.

The Crimson Tide (7-0, 4-0 Southeastern Conference) shrugged off another would-be challenger in the league, but got a scare when the star quarterback went down after sliding at the end of a run in the third quarter.

Tagovailoa went to the medical tent on the sideline after aggravating a sprained right knee. He was joined by his parents, and Jalen Hurts led the Tide the rest of the way with a big lead over the Tigers (3-3, 0-3).

The nation’s top scoring offense didn’t let up too much, and Tagovailoa hasn’t played in a fourth quarter yet this season anyway.

“Tua could have went back in the game,” Tide coach Nick Saban said. “He wanted to go back in the game. I didn’t think it was worth him going back into the game.”

Jerry Jeudy gained 147 yards on three catches, including an 81-yard touchdown from Tagovailoa on the game’s second play. DeVonta Smith had four catches for 100 yards and a touchdown before leaving with an apparent leg injury after a 57-yard gain in the second quarter.

Tagovailoa was playing with a brace on his right knee, sprained last week against Arkansas. Saban had said he didn’t miss any practice time during the week.

For a while, it was Alabama’s tightest game.

“I really challenged the players for this game,” Saban said. “A lot of people talk about the fact that we haven’t been in a tough game, we haven’t had a lot of adversity. I asked the players, `How are you going to respond in tough situations during the game?’ I think the players did a really good job of that.”

Alabama had three scoring drives of less than a minute to race to a 30-10 halftime lead, starting it off with Tagovailoa’s on-target deep ball to Jeudy. Drew Lock’s 20-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Knox late in the first quarter cut it to 13-10 before the Tide dominated the rest of the half.

Tagovailoa was 12-of-22 passing. Hurts was 7 of 8 for 115 yards.

Lock was 13 of 26 for 142 yards with a touchdown. But Saivion Smith, starting in place of an injured Trevon Diggs (broken foot), intercepted his first and last passes. Lock also lost a fumble and was tackled in the end zone by Quinnen Williams for a safety to end the third quarter.

Alabama outgained Missouri 564-212 in total yards.

THE TAKEAWAY

Missouri: Made it competitive longer than most of Alabama’s opponents this season. Still short-handed in the passing game but was much more competitive against No. 2 Georgia.

Alabama: Continues to produce big plays early and then pretty much coast to a win. Fell well short of its nation-leading 56 points a game. The defense fared well against one of the SEC’s top offenses and had four sacks.

INJURED RECEIVERS

For the second straight game, Missouri was without top deep threat Emanuel Hall and fellow wide receiver Nate Brown. Both have groin injuries.

TARGETING

Missouri linebacker Terez Hall was ejected for targeting in the second quarter after a hit on Damien Harris.

UP NEXT

Missouri faces Memphis for homecoming.

Alabama visits rival Tennessee, fresh from an upset of No. 21 Auburn.

— Associated Press —