Missouri kicker Andrew Baggett sets school record for long field goals

Last week at Tennessee, junior kicker Andrew Baggett missed two extra points.

He had a much better day Saturday against Arkansas, becoming the first kicker in Missouri history with two field goals of 50 yards or longer in the same game.

“That says an awful lot about him,” Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said. “… I’m just really happy for him.”

Baggett, a Lee’s Summit North graduate, connected from 52 yards early in the second quarter — a kick that ended the Razorbacks’ shutout streak at 2 hours, 28 minutes and 58 seconds of game time.

With 9 seconds left in the first half, Baggett trotted out for a 50-yard try, which he missed wide left, but he got a reprieve thanks to Arkansas coach Bret Bielema, who had called a timeout.

Baggett appreciated the opportunity to practice.

“It’s a free play,” he said. “You take that risk when you call a timeout, trying to ice the kicker. If I do miss, I get a free look, so I just aimed a little more right and it was right down the middle.”

Missouri had taken a shot downfield coming out of the timeout, but sophomore quarterback Maty Mauk couldn’t connect with senior wide receiver Bud Sasser on a deep post, so Baggett was shuttled back onto the field with 4 seconds left.

Baggett drew the Tigers within 14-6 at halftime with the 50-yard field goal.

Injury update

Missouri junior Russell Hansbrough led the ground attack with 20 carries for 91 yards, but he also left the game early with an ankle sprain.

It does not seem to be serious, but Pinkel wasn’t able to provide an update after the game.

The Tigers also had to reshuffle the offensive line at halftime when junior right tackle Taylor Chappell left the game with hyperextended elbow.

Missouri moved junior right guard Connor McGovern back out to tackle, where he started the season, and junior Mitch L. Hall, who began the season at right guard, finished the game at guard.

“We didn’t know if (Taylor) could use it all the way,” Pinkel said of Chappell’s arm, “so we moved Connor back out and just adjusted from there.”

This story was originally published November 28, 2014 at 10:36 PM with the headline "Missouri kicker Andrew Baggett sets school record for long field goals."