COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Football’s Charles Harris (Kansas City, Mo.) has been added to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List, as announced by the Maxwell Football Club on Thursday. The original list was comprised of players based on their 2014 performance but Harris was one of 13 players identified by the Maxwell Club that warrant attention due to noteworthy play. The Bednarik Award is given to college football’s Defensive Player of the Year.

Harris joins teammate Kentrell Brothers (Guthrie, Okla.) as Brothers was on the original Bednarik Award Watch List, which was released in July. Harris ranks fifth nationally and leads the Southeastern Conference with 11.5 tackles for loss in 2015. Harris is also ranked seventh in the SEC and among the nation’s top 60 in quarterback sacks with 4.0. Harris recorded 2.0 sacks at Arkansas State, equaling his career total coming in. He also registered 4.5 tackles for loss (-24 yards) at A-State, which marked the first time a Mizzou defender recorded 4.5 or more tackles for loss in a game since Stryker Sulak had 5.0 TFLs vs. Illinois Aug. 30, 2008.

Harris is fourth on the team and leads Mizzou defensive linemen with has 29 tackles (18 solo) with 11.5 tackles for loss (-46 yards), 4.0 sacks (-23 yards), four QB hurries and a forced fumble through six games. Harris is a big reason why Mizzou leads the SEC while ranking third nationally with 57 total tackles for loss with at least seven in each game. Harris has had multiple tackles for loss in five of Mizzou’s six games this season and he is averaging -4 yards per TFL this season.

Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced on November 2nd and three finalists will be announced November 24th. The winner of the 2015 Bednarik Awards will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show which will be held on December 10th at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. The formal presentation of these awards will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala hosted by Tropicana Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on March 11, 2016.

— Mizzou Athletics —

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Football freshman punter Corey Fatony has been named Ray Guy Player of the Week following his tremendous performance against No. 11 Florida last Saturday, announced Tuesday (Oct. 13) by the Augusta Sports Council. The Ray Guy Player of the Week is given to the nation’s top punter each week by the Ray Guy Award committee. This is the first time that Fatony has been honored as the Ray Guy Player of the Week and it is the first time a Mizzou player has earned the distinction.

Fatony punted nine times against the Gators, averaging 47.8 yards per punt while resetting his career-long with a 61-yard punt in the second quarter. He pinned the Gators inside their 20 four times. On the year, Fatony, a true freshman, is averaging 43.7 yards per punt on 38 attempts. He has had 15 punts inside the 20 this season and 16 fair caught while just three have been touchbacks.

The Ray Guy Award is recognized by the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game’s predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association’s official website, ncfaa.org.

— Mizzou Athletics —

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Kelvin Taylor rushed for 99 yards and two first-quarter touchdowns and No. 11 Florida defeated Missouri 21-3 on Saturday night.

The Gators (6-0, 4-0 SEC) amassed 337 yards and possessed the ball for 37:53, converting 23 first downs.

Quarterback Will Grier targeted eight receivers, completing 20 of 33 passes for 208 yards in his fifth start. Demarcus Robinson led Florida in receiving with six catches for 79 yards.

Florida’s defense never allowed Missouri’s offense to settle into a rhythm. Missouri was 1 of 13 on third down and opened the second half with three consecutive three-and-outs.

Drew Lock made his second start for Missouri (4-2, 1-2) in place of Maty Mauk, who is suspended indefinitely for violating team policy. He completed 16 of 39 passes for 151 yards, but threw two interceptions, one of which was returned by Jalen Tabor for a 40-yard touchdown.

The Gators led the Southeastern Conference in sacks entering the game, and had three against the Tigers, including one each from Charles Brantley and Cece Jefferson. Marcus Maye and Antonio Morrison each made six tackles. Maye also had an interception in the second quarter.

Andrew Baggett’s 21-yard field goal with 7:33 remaining in the first quarter gave the Tigers their only points. Baggett also missed a 53-yard attempt in the second quarter.

Russell Hansbrough carried the ball nine times for a season-high 74 yards, and Ish Witter added 11 carries for 39 yards. Witter also had a team-high four catches for 29 yards receiving.

Wesley Leftwich was the only Missouri receiver with more than one catch, collecting three for 39 yards.

Jim McElwain joins Charles Bachman and Galen Hall as the only Florida coaches to start their career 6-0.

— Associated Press —

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Football and Mizzou Athletics are set to celebrate the life of former Mizzou linebacker Aaron O’Neal this Saturday during the Homecoming Game vs. Florida at 6:30 p.m.

While pursuing his dream of playing college football Aaron’s dream died tragically on the afternoon of July 12, 2005, when he passed away following a voluntary workout with his teammates.

While the pain of Aaron’s loss will dwell indefinitely, his memory and spirit will live on forever at Mizzou. Aaron’s engaging smile, his selfless nature and his warm friendship will never be forgotten, and it is all of those things that will be celebrated with his entire family and the Mizzou family during Saturday’s game.

Aaron was a redshirt freshman linebacker heading into the 2005 season, with much promise to his future. He redshirted in 2004 after coming to Mizzou from Parkway North High School in St. Louis, Mo., where he was a four-sport standout student-athlete.

He earned Class 5 all-state honors as a running back as a senior, when he rushed for 1,562 yards and 19 touchdowns. He also earned all-metro, all-conference and all-district honors, as well as his team’s offensive MVP honor as a junior, when he ran for 1,207 yards and 14 TDs. Aaron had 800 yards and 9 rushing TDs in just four games as a sophomore, including a school-record 254-yard outing against Webster Groves, and he left his school owning virtually all of Parkway North’s career rushing and scoring records.

An outstanding all-around athlete, Aaron also excelled in basketball, track and baseball at Parkway North, and was part of the team which finished 4th in the 2003 state baseball championships. His high school football coach was Bob Bunton. He was the son of Lonnie and Deborah O’Neal.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Missouri head football coach Gary Pinkel said on Monday that quarterback Maty Mauk has been suspended indefinitely and freshman Drew Lock will remain the Tigers starting quarterback.

Pinkel wouldn’t elaborate on the reason for the suspension.

Mauk started the first four games this season and has completed 51.8 percent of his passes for 654 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions. His 145 yards on the ground are second-best on the team.

Mauk and offensive lineman Malik Cuellar were suspended before the team’s game against South Carolina last week.

Lock, a true freshman from Lee’s Summit High School, make his first career start last Saturday against South Carolina and he completed 21-of-28 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns as the Tigers won 24–10.

Lock and the Tigers host No. 11 Florida this Saturday at 6:30 p.m.  The game will be broadcast on ESPN 1550 AM.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri’s 24-10 victory against South Carolina Saturday marked the first time in the history of the Southeastern Conference that two true freshman quarterbacks started in the same game.

In the end, one proved more effective than the other.

Drew Lock started at quarterback for Missouri in place of Maty Mauk, who was suspended Tuesday for violating team policies. Lock completed 21 of 28 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Tigers (4-1, 1-1) win their first conference game of the season. He is the first freshman quarterback to start for Missouri since Corby Jones in 1995.

“It’s a little overwhelming to say the least,” Lock said of his first start. “Now that I’ve started and actually won a game, you can’t really put it into words.”

The Tigers gained a season-high 163 rushing yards on 42 attempts. Ish Witter had 17 carries for 98 yards and his first touchdown of the season. Russell Hansbrough had 11 rushes for 43 yards.

Lock said the run game made his first start more manageable.

“Hats off to our offensive line and our running backs,” Lock said. “They opened up our passing game a ton. They helped me out pretty much the whole game.”

Lorenzo Nunez threw three interceptions in his second start for the Gamecocks (2-3, 0-3), finishing 15 of 24 for 172 yards and a touchdown. He also led the team in rushing with 15 carries for 60 yards.

“We wished he would have thrown those to a little different spot,” coach Steve Spurrier said of Nunez’s interceptions. “We’ve got to get the ball to the open guy at the right time. We didn’t do that.”

Nunez’s only touchdown pass was nearly intercepted by Aarion Penton near the goal line, but bounced off his hands into the hands of Shon Carson, who crossed the plane for an 8-yard score.

Missouri coach Gary Pinkel was pleased with the win.

“Drew really did some good things for a young player,” Pinkel said. “I thought he really carried himself well.”

Pharoh Cooper led the Gamecocks in receiving with nine catches for 102 yards. David Williams had nine rushes for 40 yards, but South Carolina was limited to just 5 yards rushing in the first half.

“The only thing we had was Lorenzo,” Spurrier said of the Gamecocks’ run game. “It’s a huge difference when you can’t run the ball in. We’re struggling doing that.”

Kentrell Brothers started for Missouri and recorded seven tackles, including 1 1/2 for loss. Brothers leads the nation in tackles with 59, but was listed as questionable heading into the game after injuring his left ankle in a 21-13 loss at Kentucky last Saturday.

Missouri captains Kenya Dennis and Ian Simon recorded their first interceptions of the season, as did defensive end Walter Brady. Brady also had two sacks, both on third down.

Brady gave Brothers the credit for the interception.

“Kentrell made a great call,” Brady said. “He told me to go middle. I went middle, the quarterback folded the ball and just threw it up for grabs, and I knew I had to come down with it.”

Nate Brown had six catches for 33 yards and two touchdowns. Brown is the team’s leading receiver with 17 catches for 192 yards and four touchdowns on the season.

“Once the offense got going, we got our tempo going and everyone was a little more relaxed,” Brown said. “When you get into a rhythm, it relaxes everybody on the offense and just kind of keeps them focused on their job.”

Missouri’s Terry Beckner Jr. was ejected in the second quarter after being flagged for a targeting hit on Nunez. The 15-yard penalty set up the Gamecocks’ only touchdown.

Tight end Jason Reese had career-highs in catches and receiving yards in place of Sean Culkin, who will miss at least two weeks with a sprained right knee. Reese finished with six receptions for 47 yards.

The Tigers host No. 25 Florida next Saturday in the school’s 104th homecoming. South Carolina will return home to face No. 9 LSU.

— Associated Press —

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri quarterback Maty Mauk and backup tackle Malik Cuellar have been suspended indefinitely by the school for violating team rules and will not participate in the Tigers’ (3-1, 0-1 SEC) home game against South Carolina (2-2, 0-2) Saturday.

Associate athletic director Chad Moller released a statement Tuesday night confirming the suspensions, citing “disciplinary reasons related to violation of team policies.”

The status of the suspensions will be assessed after Saturday’s game, and the athletic department has issued no additional comments.

Mauk spent Monday in Springfield with his family, and did not attend team media day. His father and high school coach, Mike Mauk, underwent a procedure Monday to treat colorectal cancer.

Freshman Drew Lock likely will make his first collegiate start in place of Mauk, who has 654 passing yards as well as six touchdowns and four interceptions this season. Lock has completed 15 of 25 passes for 225 yards as well as a touchdown and an interception.

— Associated Press —

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Southeastern Conference announced its 2015 Legends Class on Tuesday (Sept. 29) and Mizzou Football’s Roger Wehrli will be honored in this year’s class. A Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Wehrli starred for the Tigers from 1966-68, earning Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year and consensus All-America honors in 1968. Wehrli is one of just seven players to have his number at Mizzou retired.

A native of New Point, Mo., Wehrli was a standout player under legendary head coach Dan Devine, playing cornerback and serving as the team’s punt and kick return specialist. In his career, he totaled 10 interceptions (seven in his senior season). He led the nation in total punt returns and punt return average as a senior and helped Mizzou to a 35-10 win over Alabama in the Gator Bowl that year. He had a decisive interception in that game to help Mizzou clinch the win.

For his accomplishments at Mizzou, he was in the first class of inductees into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and was also a charter member of the University of Missouri Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame in 1990. He is also in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Following his decorated career at Mizzou, Wehrli was first round pick in the 1969 NFL Draft, going 19th overall to the St. Louis Cardinals where he played from 1969-1982. He was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, a five-time First Team All-Pro selection and an NFL 1970s All-Decade Team honoree. He finished his career with 40 interceptions, amassing 898 interception yards and nine touchdowns. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007.

Wehrli and the rest of the 2015 SEC Legends Class will be honored at the SEC Championship Game on December 5 in Atlanta.

— Mizzou Athletics —

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Patrick Towles threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score to lead Kentucky past No. 25 Missouri 21-13 on Saturday night, ending the Wildcats’ 18-game losing streak against ranked teams.

Towles’ arm and feet were critical in the Wildcats’ first upset of a ranked team since beating then-No. 18 South Carolina 31-28 in Lexington five years ago. The junior threw TD passes of 24 yards to tight end C.J. Conrad in the third quarter and the 5-yard clincher to Dorian Baker with 6:20 remaining, and fuel a small celebration on the field with some of the 58,008.

Towles was 22 of 27 passing for 249 yards and ran for 21 yards, including a 14-yard TD in the second quarter. His performance helped the Wildcats (3-1, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) gain 369 yards against the nation’s fourth-ranked defense and snap a school-record, 11-game road winning streak for the Tigers (3-1, 0-1).

Andrew Baggett’s 24-yard field goal with 3 minutes left kept Missouri within a touchdown and two-point conversion of tying, but several runs by Jojo Kemp after the kickoff provided the first down that allowed Kentucky to run out the clock and seal third-year coach Mark Stoops’ signature win.

The Wildcats had to overcome an early 7-0 deficit and eight penalties for 91 yards to do so, but they ended up proving they were much better than the team that managed just three field goals in last week’s 14-9 loss to Florida.

Missouri sought some redemption as well after outlasting Connecticut 9-6 at home last week, and the Tigers succeeded on their second possession with the help of a couple Kentucky defensive penalties.

The biggest flag, a 15-yarder on end/linebacker Denzil Ware for an out-of-bounds hit on Maty Mauk, moved the ball up to the 40. Ware sacked Mauk on the next play but the mobile QB had space and time several snaps later when he found J’Mon Moore in the back of the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown.

Towles responded with a perfect drive in a near-flawless first half for Kentucky, completing 5-of-5 passes for 55 yards before capping the drive by eluding pressure to run for a 14-yard TD to tie the game. He was 14 of 15 for 120 yards in the first 30 minutes and added four runs for 24 yards.

His performance was big in many ways, besides getting Kentucky’s first touchdown since the first half at South Carolina two weeks ago. It came a week after he completed just 8-of-24 passes for 126 yards with two interceptions and six sacks last week against Florida.

The Tigers managed to finally drop Towles twice in the third quarter, but he stood tall late in the period to find Conrad down the middle for the touchdown and Kentucky’s first lead at 14-10. Towles then led the Wildcats 93 yards in nine plays to their final TD and close the deal on a top-25 team that was a long time coming.

Mauk was 15 of 30 for 180 yards for Missouri, which gained 338 yards.

— Associated Press —

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri will be without wide receiver DeSean Blair this Saturday when it opens Southeastern Conference play at Kentucky.

Blair was one of four Tigers players involved in a car accident last Friday near campus, and is out this week with a concussion.

Defensive end Terry Beckner Jr. had two tackles in No. 25 Missouri’s 9-6 victory against UConn on Saturday. Blair and fellow receiver Keyon Dilosa missed the game, as well as running back Trevon Walters, who is rehabbing a torn anterior cruciate ligament and was already listed as out indefinitely.

Dilosa, who has three catches for 25 yards for the Tigers (3-0) this season is expected to play against Kentucky.

Russell Hansbrough, who sprained his right ankle in the season-opener, is listed as probable. Coach Gary Pinkel said team doctors will evaluate his status this week. Hansbrough was limited to seven carries for 38 yards through the first two games, and sat out against UConn.

— Associated Press —