Bacon tackles new role for MU

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- When Marcus Bacon made the transition from the defensive backfield to linebacker two years ago, he admits there was some trepidation.

"I never played linebacker in my life," Bacon said. "You have big linemen coming at you -- I didn't know how to react most of the time."

Apparently, he's learned. Bacon leads Missouri and is second in the Big 12 with 16 solo tackles and 24 total tackles as the Tigers prepare for their first road game Saturday at New Mexico.

The fifth-year senior from Houston had 12 tackles, forced a fumble, intercepted a pass and returned it 52 yards in a 34-7 win over Mississippi on Saturday. The performance earned him Big 12 defensive player of the week honors.

Bacon also had 12 tackles and fumble recovery in a 47-7 win over Murray State in the opener on Sept. 2.

Coach Gary Pinkel said Bacon is becoming more comfortable at a position he calls "the hardest to learn on the defense."

"He can just turn it loose," Pinkel said.

Bacon arrived at Missouri in 2002 as a big, hard-hitting safety. He was a redshirt that season and played the whip position in the defensive backfield in 2003.

But Bacon continued to grow -- he's now 6-2, 220 pounds. Pinkel decided he was big enough to play linebacker and could bring speed to the position.

In fact, two of Missouri's three starting linebackers are former safeties, including Dedrick Harrington in the middle.

Both said the transition was tough. Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus understands why.

"There's a lot of things you have to do because you're right in the middle of the action," Eberflus said. "You're not just playing the pass like the corners that play pass first. Linebackers have to play run and pass every down."

As far as Eberflus is concerned, Bacon has made a smooth transition.

"He's got a real good knack for the football and he likes to hit," Eberflus said. "That's two things you want in a linebacker."

Pinkel and Eberflus made the same decision with Brandon Barnes before the 2003 season. He enjoyed a breakout senior season and has since played for the Baltimore Ravens and the Washington Redskins.

Bacon earned the starting job prior to last season, then nearly blew it. After starting the 2005 opener against Arkansas State, he was suspended for the next game after an arrest for driving while intoxicated. He eventually started eight games in 2005, leading all linebackers with 85 tackles.

The DWI arrest taught him a lot, Bacon said.

"Just being smart, man, knowing that the team is above you, that's all it is," he said. "It's not about me; it's not about whoever else is on the team, it's about winning."