Highly regarded Tigers begin fall workouts in sweltering conditions

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Quarterback Chase Daniel said it was one of the hottest practices he'd ever participated in. Strong safety William Moore called it "crazy hot."

The encore for Missouri's historic 12-win season began with the first workout Monday afternoon, held in sweltering heat. Players tried their best to ignore the 95-degree heat and high humidity that combined for a 109-degree heat index with zero shade. Anticipation for another big season like 2007, when they finished a program-best No. 4, helped them get through the two-hour workout.

"Good teams and good players just go out there and block it out," Daniel said. "You have to. You can walk around and take your helmet off as long as you can and stay as cool as you want as long as you're not going, but when you're in the play it's 100 percent."

Senior defensive tackle Ziggy Hood, who is from Amarillo, Texas, said the weather was no big deal for him.

"Down South where I'm from it gets a whole lot hotter than this," Hood said. "It was all right today. When you know you've got that practice, you don't really worry about the heat or the pain or anything, you just want to get out and perform."

Coach Gary Pinkel refused to shorten the opening workday, although he said drills and repetitions were controlled somewhat as a concession to the heat. The rest of the week, the Tigers will be practicing at 7:15 a.m. to avoid the worst temperatures of the day. Next week they'll alternate two-a-day practices with single workouts, with a pair of scrimmages also scheduled.

Pinkel was reasonably pleased with the effort from the first day, saying "Obviously, we've got a long way to go." But it was a big day for the coach, too.

Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel stretches out at the start of college football practice Monday, Aug. 4, 2008, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

"Heat drains everybody a little bit, but this team has a lot of enthusiasm," Pinkel said. "They like to practice. We've worked hard and this is the next phase."

The first few days of camp are more of an orientation to reacquaint players as a bridge to spring workouts, and to set the tone for a team favored for the first time to win the Big 12 North heading into the Aug. 30 opener against Illinois in St. Louis.

During one early drill, linebackers coach Dave Steckel threatened to "ship out" a player who dared to stroll back to the line after a drill.

"I don't think we worry too much about expectations," Daniel said. "I think we worry about going out there and getting better every single day."

Missouri spent a week at No. 1 and ended at No. 4 last year after thrashing Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl, the school's first Jan. 1 bowl game since 1969.

There are 10 starters back on defense and six starters on an offense that was fifth in the nation in total yards, led by Heisman finalist Daniel and All-American all-purpose threat Jeremy Maclin. Missouri was fifth in the nation in total offense.

"It feels good to get back out there and in the swing of things," Maclin said. "It's good for us to just get out there and get rolling again."

The underrated defense ranked in the top four of the Big 12 in three major categories last season and is looking for more equal footing with the offense this year.

"We're looking great," Moore said. "We've been out here working all summer and guys were moving really well."

Daniel, Hood, Moore and wide receiver Tommy Saunders, all seniors, were voted captains by their teammates, Pinkel said.

"It's my last year, and to be named captain and to be part of this team and leading this team is something special," Daniel said. "And something I'll always remember."