Missouri Tigers Need More From Receivers

Depth at wide receiver was a major concern for the Missouri Tigers heading into the season. With the preseason dismissal of star wide out Dorial Green-Beckham and the suspension and eventual dismissal of Levi Copelin, the Tigers were already thin at the position.

Mix in injuries to current starters Darius White and Jimmie Hunt, though they both return to action this week against Georgia, and it’s easy to see why quarterback Maty Mauk and the Tigers have struggled in the pass game.

During preseason camp, Gary Pinkel and his coaching staff downplayed the issue citing confidence in their group — especially White, Hunt, and another senior, Bud Sasser. The coaches also spoke highly of tight end, Sean Culkin, who at 6-foot-6, 245-pounds imposes a tough matchup for any secondary, but has struggled to get on the same page with Mauk.

Though his presence on the field does force the defense to pay attention, Missouri needs to do a better job getting him the ball. Running back Marcus Murphy was also supposed to be a threat out of the slot position, but injuries to running backs Russell Hansbrough and Morgan Steward has forced Murphy to stay in the backfield.

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Missouri is averaging 222 yards per game through the air, good for 77th in the nation and 30-yards less per game than last season. The Tigers were blessed with arguably the best wide receiving core in the nation last season with three quality targets over 6-foot-4 to tower over secondaries. Obviously losing three key receivers would hurt any team, but Missouri will need more from their group if they’re going to repeat in the SEC East.

Part of the responsibility falls on the receiving core, part on offensive coordinator Josh Henson, and part on Maty Mauk. The receivers need to improvise when Mauk flees the pocket and improve route running, Henson needs to call better plays and get his play makers the ball, and Mauk needs to make better decisions and learn to live with throwing the ball away when nothing is available.

These are all correctable issues and should improve over the course of the season, but the Tigers aren’t going to keep winning with Mauk hovering around 55% completion percentage. Hopefully, the return of White and Hunt will ease the pressure on Mauk and allow for them to continue building chemistry. Keep in mind, Mauk has had limited experience with these guys, only playing together for less than a full season.

Sep 27, 2014; Columbia, SC, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Bud Sasser (21) catches a pass over South Carolina Gamecocks safety Brison Williams (12) during the fourth quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Statistical Breakdown:

Bud Sasser – 30 catches – 454 yards – 4 touchdowns

Darius White – 15 catches – 230 yards – 3 touchdowns

Jimmie Hunt – 16 catches – 198 yards – 5 touchdowns

Marcus Murphy – 10 catches – 93 yards – 1 touchdown

Sean Culkin – 8 catches – 89 yards – 1 touchdown

Wesley Leftwich – 3 catches – 36 yards

Russell Hansbrough – 5 catches – 11 yards

Lawrence Lee – 1 catch – 2 yards

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