Gregory, Brown remain brothers in arms at MU
COLUMBIA | When August drills began at Missouri, Kurtis Gregory and Colin Brown were orphaned brothers adopted by different families.
The offensive linemen had been brothers in arms for so long — playing shoulder to shoulder, Gregory at right guard and Brown at right tackle — it just seemed the way it was supposed to be.
“The first time I saw Colin was in high school in basketball,” Gregory said.
Brown played for Braymer, Mo., and Gregory — from Blackburn, Mo. — for Santa Fe High School.
“He had hair then,” Gregory said of Brown, who has a bit of hair on his chin but none on the top of his head these days. “He weighed only about 220 then.”
Brown, a senior, now carries 325 pounds on his 6-foot-8 frame, while Gregory, a junior, is 6-5 and 305.
“We know what the other is going to do, Gregory said. “We talk. But a lot of times we don’t have to.”
That was going to change.
Gregory was moving to left tackle. Dain Wise would take over at right guard. Gregory, for the good of the team, was fine with that.
“Wherever they want me to play, I’ll play,” he said.
Ultimately, the move did not work out. Late in August drills Gregory was moved back to right guard, and redshirt freshman Elvis Fisher took over at left tackle.
That’s paid dividends on the right side, where Gregory and Brown just naturally provide a great place for tailback Derrick Washington to run.
MU coach Gary Pinkel sees an even bigger payoff with MU’s new starting center, sophomore Tim Barnes, now being sandwiched by Gregory at right guard and senior Ryan Madison at left guard.
“They’ve played,” Pinkel said. “They’ve been through the war. To me that has really helped Tim Barnes.”
Fisher seems to be a rising star at left tackle. Pinkel has called this the best offensive line he’s had at MU.
“We’ve only given up two sacks in five games,” quarterback Chase Daniel said.
“I don’t think there’s a weak link in our offensive line.”
No. 17 Oklahoma State at No. 3 Missouri
•WHEN: 7 tonight
•WHERE: Memorial Stadium, Columbia
•TV/RADIO: ESPN2, KMBZ (980 AM)
Other story lines•TIME OF POSSESSION: Oklahoma State leads the Big 12 in this category, keeping the ball 32 minutes, 47 seconds a game. Missouri is last in the league at 25 minutes, 49 seconds. But as Nebraska discovered as it held nearly a 34-26 minute advantage on MU last Saturday, what counts is the scoreboard.
•POINT PARADE: Oklahoma State has scored 50 or more points in four straight games. The school record for 50-point games in a season is five, set in 1988.
•MOVING UP: Jeremy Maclin’s next touchdown reception will be the 15th of his 19-game college career and move him past Mel Gray (1968-1970) on MU’s list.
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