‘The clock’s ticking:’ Mizzou’s appeal still out as Tigers face must-win game Friday
Compared to the marathon of a football season, it’s a “Sprint to Friday” for Missouri coach Barry Odom and his Tigers, who need a victory against Arkansas in the regular-season finale to reach six wins.
Odom, facing criticism after a five game losing streak has dropped Mizzou to 5-6, said Monday that everyone in the organization knows the importance of getting to .500. Whether that gets MU to a third consecutive bowl game under Odom is unknown as the school’s appeal of NCAA penalties including a postseason ban is still out.
“You would like to know that going into the game,” Odom said of the appeal. “The things we’ve been talking about since January, the unknown, here we are in the last week of the season and we still don’t know. One way or the other for everybody. We’ll be anxious to find out what that is or where it is.
“But also, the clock’s ticking. We’re just waiting on the phone to call.”
Deputy athletic director Nick Joos clarified when Odom was asked if he knew of a potential cutoff date for a ruling. If the appeal were denied after Mizzou was selected and played in a bowl game, the postseason ban would be applied to next year, an NCAA spokesperson told The Star last week. But that would be unlikely based on Joos’ potential cutoff date for the NCAA’s response.
“I think Selection Sunday (on Dec. 8),” Joos said of a cutoff date. “I think the SEC will pressure them to have (a decision) by Selection Sunday. Because the (bowl) partners have to know who’s eligible.”
When asked if Odom had any clarity regarding his future and job security, Odom said he met with Mizzou’s administration last week, but he meets with them every week.
“I’m trying to do everything I can to get this next win,” he said. “That’s so huge for our program on moving it and continuing ... three bowl games in a row, that means something.”
Bryant still not 100%
Mizzou offensive coordinator Derek Dooley shed light on quarterback Kelly Bryant’s injury status Monday. Dooley said fluid was drained from Bryant’s knee before Saturday’s game against Tennessee.
Bryant said he injured his knee in the loss to Florida, the swelling then worsening in the days after. The knee injury is already on top of the strained hamstring sustained a month ago in the first quarter at Kentucky.
“I want to be out there, the love for the game and just me being a competitor,” Bryant said. “I want to do whatever it takes to win. Just having to deal with all those things, it comes with playing with this game. Just trying to protect myself and heal up as much as possible before the game.”
Bryant’s injury affects play calling for a struggling offense trying to generate points. The quarterback’s ability to run is crucial. Odom pointed out after the loss Saturday they called maybe two quarterback runs, a stark contrast to when Bryant is healthy.
“He has not been 100% since the second drive at Kentucky,” Dooley said. “That’s not an excuse. ... He’s started the game two weeks in a row really well. But as the game goes and you’re getting hit, it’s gotten tough. It affects him.”
Should Bryant be unable to go, the Tigers would turn to either Taylor Powell or Connor Bazelak. Powell started the game at Georgia when Bryant was out with his hamstring injury; Bazelak impressed in Mizzou’s best drive that night. Dooley said he doesn’t know who would play, though they’ve been impressed with both.
Bryant’s not the only player banged up. The Mizzou defense missed starting cornerbacks DeMarkus Acy and Jarvis Ware last Saturday. Acy dressed but he didn’t start against the Vols because of a hamstring injury while Ware suffered an injury to the head/neck area in the first quarter.
On offense, Johnathon Johnson and Albert Okwuegbunam were unavailable because of shoulder injuries. Neither warmed up and were dressed in street clothes before the game.
Odom said Acy is day-to-day with his ailment. Ware, Johnson and Okwuegbunam will practice on Monday and the coach said he’ll know more from there.
This story was originally published November 25, 2019 at 1:19 PM.