Walking away from the dream
There are two ways of looking at it: Mizzou didn’t look like Mizzou tonight, or Oklahoma looked exactly like Oklahoma. Actually, both are true.
Up until tonight, the Tigers had scored more than 30 points in every game this season. Tonight they scored 17. Several times when they pushed downfield, Oklahoma pushed them backward. Mizzou had to settle for three field goals and only one touchdown on four trips into the red zone. Oklahoma scored five touchdowns and one field goal on six red-zone trips.
In the end, Mizzou played unlike itself and walked away from the dream of a Big 12 Championship and a national title. Oklahoma played like a championship team and walked out with yet another title.
“We didn’t play up to our potential,” quarterback Chase Daniel said in the post-game press conference, where Pinkel put his hand on his quarterback’s back in a subtle gesture that says everything about this team’s coach-player bond. “We didn’t play like we wanted to. We didn’t play like we practiced all week.”
It is a rare game indeed when Daniel doesn’t throw for a single touchdown. In fact, OU quarterback Sam Bradford had two touchdown passes to overtake Daniel’s total number for the season.
“They did all the things it takes to win in a big game,” Pinkel said of the Sooners, “and they deserve credit for that.”
The team and Mizzou fans won’t be able to think about it like this now, while the sting is fresh, but the season remains a historic milestone: the first time playing for the Big 12 title, the first time winning 11 games, the first time doing so many other things.
But there still will be a bowl game (announced tomorrow), and there still will be a storybook season to build on, even if the story didn’t end like it was supposed to.
“We’ll get over this and learn from it and be a better football team like we’ve done in the past,” Pinkel said. “You learn from these things, and hopefully next time we’re in one of these kinds of games, we’ll play better.”
Photo by Rob Hill
Folks I live in your fine state and you should be proud of the progress that MU has made in the arena of major college football. However OU,when playing at their level is in a different league than MU. Example - Kansas was good at their level until they met MU - who was at a higher level of ability than they were. Best of luck to you as MU continues to progress toward major college football playing levels.
bennyb | Dec. 2, 2007
Awesome season. Great job guys. I’m not disappointed with the season in any way. This was a huge season for Tiger players and fans. I can’t wait until next year.
Mike | Dec. 2, 2007
I just wanted to say that I am VERY proud of the Tigers - this has been a big accomplishment for them. Every win and loss is a learning experience and they can build on this next season. Mizzou can walk away with a Big 12 championship - I have total faith in that. I moved to TX after graduation and this Big 12 run has reminded me of how proud I am to be a Tiger.
-Nika Class of 2006
nika miller | Dec. 2, 2007
The Cotton Bowl will be an interesting game. Arkansas fans travel well to Dallas.
Drew | Dec. 3, 2007
At the beginning of the season, my wild, pie-in-the-sky fantasy for Mizzou football was playing in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Day. WE MADE IT!
No regrets. No disappointments. Let’s go down to Dallas and get win #12.
Fight Tigers! Larry
Larry | Dec. 3, 2007
I’m a MU alumnus and I’m very proud of the season that the Tigers have had. A great team and a very classy head coach. I am looking forward to the Cotton Bowl and to next season.
Ronnie | Dec. 4, 2007
I have been watching for 37 years and this has been the most fun season of them all. You guys made it fun to go to work and joke with co-workers about their teams and my Missouri Tigers. I live in Texas so I hear a great deal about AM and UT, it was nice to have Mizzou be all the talk. I will see you at the Cotton Bowl!
Go Tigers!
Eric | Dec. 4, 2007
I think the MU football team played an excellent season. As a freshman, I couldn’t be more proud of my team; and Missouri is finally getting some respect from football analysts. I can’t wait for next year. Congratulations Tigers, you have nothing to be ashamed of. Let’s show Arkansas what we’re made of
Fight Tigers!
Ryan
ryan | Dec. 4, 2007
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