With transfers like Ty’Ron Hopper, Missouri Tigers’ defense trending in right direction
It’s too soon to declare the repairs to Missouri’s defense from last year are complete. But the improvement between the opening games of the last two seasons is noticeable and trending in the right direction.
In its 52-24 triumph over Louisiana Tech last Thursday, the Tigers yielded eight rushing yards. With one game remaining on the weekend college football schedule, that’s the fewest surrendered by any team in the nation.
A year earlier, Central Michigan roughed up Mizzou for 174 rushing yards on its way to 475 total yards.
So, what’s changed? A few things. Blake Baker, formerly of LSU, is the new defensive coordinator. And although the Tigers returned eight players with starting experience, transfers made huge plays.
Nobody had a greater impact on the game than linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper. The Florida transfer finished with six tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss along with one of the Tigers’ three interceptions.
“It felt good, my first game with the Tigers,” Hopper said. “But I feel like I’ve got some things to clean up.”
Clearly the level of competition rises for Missouri, which travels to Kansas State on Saturday. The Wildcats rushed for 297 yards in their opener against South Dakota. But Missouri didn’t come close to a defensive effort like last Thursday’s in any game in the first two months last season.
On Hopper’s interception, the first of his 22-game college career, he read the eyes of quarterback Matthew Downing and stepped in front of a pass over the middle. Hopper returned it 22 yards.
“He threatened to blitz, dropped out, read quarterback’s eyes and made a great play on it,” Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said. “That was really good to see.”
Hooper’s sack came later in the second quarter, ending another drive.
Missouri fans had seen something like this from Hopper last season, when he suited up for the Gators. He played the best game of his Florida career in Columbia last season, recording 15 tackles, four for loss and a sack in a game Mizzou won in overtime.
For the season, Hopper contributed 10 tackles for loss, 3 1/2 sacks, two pass deflections and a forced fumble. He figured to be a bigger part of Florida’s defense this season but decided to transfer instead, and got the Missouri part of his career off to a terrific start.
“Hopper is one heck of a player,” Missouri quarterback Brady Cook said. “I’ve been saying this for a long time, that dude is the real deal. He’s fast, he comes downhill quick, he’s a smart player. That’s one to keep an eye on. He’s legit.”
Hopper wasn’t the only newcomer to come up big. Safety Joseph Charleston, who spent his first three seasons at Clemson, turned his first college interception into a touchdown. That pass was deflected by Kristian Williams, a transfer from Oregon.
A good opening effort all around from the Tigers. Louisiana Tech’s final two touchdowns came long after the game was decided.
“Defense, wow, what a difference a year makes,” Drinkwitz said.
Especially with players like Hopper.
This story was originally published September 5, 2022 at 1:28 PM.