Missouri’s Drew Lock bounces back in win over Memphis
Sliding would’ve been easy. Running forward was risky.
It made for good football.
Quarterback Drew Lock, heartbeat of Missouri’s football team, lowered his shoulder into Memphis defensive back Tyrez Lindsey, earning an extra yard in the first quarter of Missouri’s 65-33 win Saturday. He hit the ground hard but bounced up, trotting to the huddle after a 9-yard gain.
“I’m kind of done sliding unless it’s someone taking my head off on the side,” Lock said.
The play wasn’t the highlight of Lock’s game. The senior threw for 350 yards and four touchdowns, including a well-placed loft to tight end Albert Okwuegbunam in the northwest corner of the end zone. But the run spoke to Lock’s desire to make things happen. It’s why he sometimes refuses to throw the ball away when no one is open, one of the reasons he found trouble his past three games.
Six weeks ago, Mizzou Athletics created a website campaigning for Lock to win the Heisman Trophy. That hype wilted during Missouri’s three-game losing streak as Lock struggled, throwing five interceptions and only one touchdown. He needed a rebound Saturday. Clobbering Memphis proved to be good medicine.
“I think any quarterback that’s lost three games in a row, whether it’s Drew or Aaron Rodgers or a freshman, needs confidence, momentum,” said Andy Lock, Drew’s father. “I think (offensive coordinator Derek) Dooley grew some confidence in taking some shots and play calling and being more aggressive, and I think the kids proved that they’ve got his back.”
The Memphis game was a blowout by the third quarter, and Lock took just one snap in the fourth. He left his final Homecoming game having completed 79 percent of his passes for the game — his highest completion percentage of the year and second-best of his career.
Whether his receivers had one or five syllables in their last name, Lock found them Saturday. Jalen Knox had 104 receiving yards, and tight end Okwuegbunam hauled in three touchdown passes.
“He’s continuing to grow, and he’s such a talented kid and player,” coach Barry Odom said of Lock. “His in-game adjustments were maybe (some) of the best he’s done up to this point. That shows signs of maturity and understanding the game plan, and also a comfort level.”
Odom did not mention any of Lock’s touchdowns after the game, but he said he was impressed by one instance where his quarterback threw a ball away rather than forcing a pass to a covered receiver. It was discipline Lock didn’t show much of in the Tigers’ losing streak.
Missouri jumped out to a 21-0 lead against Memphis, but visitors scored the next 17 points. Clinging to a four-point lead in the second quarter, MU chose to go for it on fourth-and-one in its own. Odom put the ball in the hands of his quarterback. Lock rolled to his right, looking for an open target. The play looked dead, but the quarterback found Johnathon Johnson for an 8-yard gain.
His pass wasn’t perfect, but it was enough for a first down.
“That was an in-play adjustment by him and myself,” Lock said. “It was one of those plays where you’ve had chemistry with a guy. You know his body, you know how he’s moving.”
Lock, a Lee’s Summit native, now has 87 career touchdown passes. He’s one shy of tying Tim Tebow and Chris Leak for fourth-most in SEC history and two away from tying Peyton Manning for third.
Seven NFL teams sent scouts to Saturday’s game, including the New York Giants, who may be in the market for a quarterback. Mock drafts project Lock as a first- or second-round pick.
With top receivers Emanuel Hall and Nate Brown suffering from groin injuries, Knox has emerged as one of Lock’s favorite targets. Lock connected with the freshman for a 44-yard touchdown in the second quarter on Saturday. Knox said his quarterback was on target with his throws — just as he expects.
“We’re a really, really good team,” Lock said. “People are freaking out, but we lost three games to some really good teams. We knew we were going to come out here, and we can string wins together like it’s no problem.”
No matter which direction the rest of the season goes, Lock will be the focal point for Missouri’s team, and the way he played Saturday is an encouraging sign for the Tigers. The quarterback threw the ball away when needed. He made plays when needed, too.
This story was originally published October 20, 2018 at 10:19 PM.