‘Remember that name’: This former BV North receiver came up clutch for Missouri Tigers

Sophomore receiver Dominic Lovett noticed it right after fellow Missouri Tigers wideout Mekhi Miller caught his first pass during Saturday’s game at Florida.

He saw Miller look away. He saw that Miller wasn’t smiling. And Miller, Lovett said, is always smiling.

Lovett reminded the nervous true freshman that he was prepared for this moment.

“He’s always ready for the next challenge and ready to be up next,” Lovett said. “That was a resemblance of how he prepares.

“When his number is called, he’s going to make a play. Remember that name, remember that name.”

If Miller keeps playing like he did on Saturday, they’ll have no trouble remembering his name.

Through six contests this season, the former Blue Valley North High School standout has caught just three passes for 55 yards. But the game against the Gators might have marked a turning point.

Until Saturday, Miller hadn’t been targeted in an SEC game. But he made two crucial third-down catches in the fourth quarter to keep the Tigers within striking distance. They’d go on to lose 24-17, but they may have found a clutch option in crunch time.

Not that Miller is angling for the spotlight.

“The main thing is just trusting the process,” he said. “You can’t become selfish, especially when you’re in a receiver room and we’re all close. ...

“One thing that’s preached a lot is what you practice makes game day a reality.”

Reminded during the game that he was ready for the moment, it wasn’t long before Miller was smiling again.

“It wasn’t surprising to me (to deliver in crunch time) because I just fell back on my habits when my name was called,” he said. “It was a good opportunity to go out there and have fun.”

Like nearly all college receivers, Miller was a standout in high school. During his junior year at Blue Valley North, he caught 93 passes for 1,065 yards and 18 touchdowns. But he wasn’t always on the field with the Mustangs. He was forced to sit out during his sophomore season because of eligibility issues he encountered in transferring schools.

As a true freshman this year, Miller has taken a backseat to some of his veteran teammates, fellow MU receivers like Lovett, Barrett Banister and Tauskie Dove. But he learned during that sophomore season of high school football that he can make an impact even when he’s not playing.

“That season just helped me build myself mentally and emotionally,” Miller said. “If I’m not getting enough playing time or I’m not getting the playing time I want, I’ve still got to be a great teammate.

“I can’t be selfish. I can’t be down in the dumps and just bring everybody else down. I’ve got to motivate my teammates, as well as myself.”

On Saturday, not only did both of Miller’s fourth-quarter catches come on third down, they both occurred with Missouri desperate for a big gain. His first was an 18-yard pickup on third and 15, and running back Nathaniel Peat scored on the following play.

Miller’s second catch came on third and 18 and went for 20.

“For him to not pout and be ready and when he came in — he made plays — I was proud of him,” Lovett said. “I told him, ‘Keep your head on and keep doing what you’re doing. Head down, but smile ...’

“Smiling is a big part of the game. Staying happy is a part of the game. You’ve got to smile.”

Miller’s playing time Saturday increased with Banister out injured. Banister, in the midst of his sixth season at Missouri, has become a mentor to Miller.

“It’s great to have him on the sideline and in the room,” Miller said.

On Wednesday’s weekly SEC teleconference, Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said the Tigers are using this off-week — no game Saturday, their season resuming at home against Vanderbilt Oct. 22 — to give some of the younger players more reps during practice.

Miller said he is using the week to focus on his technique and blocking.

“He prepares like a pro,” Lovett said. “Some things that we go over 1,000 times that I might not get ... I would ask him, and he would know it, just like that.”

This story was originally published October 13, 2022 at 6:00 AM.