Missouri gives its fans hope of a major bowl game

Sure, the University of Nebraska football program is only a shell of its former, dominant self these days.

Still, that was some kind of performance by Missouri during Saturday's 41-6 beat-down of the visiting Cornhuskers.

That the Tigers won the game isn't very surprising. After all, they were favored by about a touchdown.

But I don't think anybody could have predicted that type of score, or that type of dominance.

What was probably most surprising is the way MU's previously suspect defense totally locked down Nebraska's explosive offense.

You figured the Tigers' high-powered offense, led by brilliant, surgeon-like quarterback Chase Daniel, would pile up some points.

But for MU to hold Nebraska to a pair of field goals -- it was the first time since 1958 that the Cornhuskers didn't score a touchdown against the Tigers -- that was totally unexpected.

The 5-0, 11th-ranked Tigers still have plenty to prove the rest of the way, and they'll face a huge test this Saturday at Oklahoma -- ranked fifth and sixth in the two major polls -- where MU will likely be a solid underdog.

But Saturday's performance showed that the Tigers are certainly capable of playing with the big boys, and that they might even threaten to reach a major bowl game.

Whether it happens remains to be seen, but MU fans had to like what they saw against Nebraska.

---

Also impressive was Illinois, which continued its resurgent season with a win over previously fifth-ranked Wisconsin.

Illinois, which won just four games combined in Ron Zook's first two years, is now 5-1 and has won five straight after barely losing to Missouri in the season opener.

The Illini broke into the national rankings this week, at No. 18 and 19 in the two major polls.

---

As I recently posted on my blog, there is good news to report regarding Southeast Missouri State senior basketball center Mike Rembert.

Rembert, who had another knee surgery over the summer and recently got off his crutches, was cleared to start jogging today.

Southeast coach Scott Edgar said he still is not counting on having Rembert available before Ohio Valley Conference play begins in early December, but he also did not rule out Rembert returning earlier than that.

Practice begins Friday, and the season opener is Nov. 10.

---

The Jackson High School football team continued to roll Thursday, routing rival Central 56-13 to improve to 6-0.

I covered the Indians -- who have outscored their opponents 192-46 -- a few weeks ago when they beat Vianney and came away very impressed.

The Indians have a fast, aggressive defense and a big, strong offensive line that opens plenty of holes for Jackson's dominant running game.

Without doubt, this is one of Jackson's best squads in a while. It will be interesting to see how far the Indians can go as they compete in a district that is highlighted by perennial powerhouse Eureka.

In fact, Eureka is ranked second and Jackson fifth in the latest Class 5 state poll.

The Indians and Wildcats square off Oct. 19 in Jackson in the game that will likely decide the Class 5 District 1 title. Jackson's stadium will be rocking for that one.

---

Speaking of Central, although the Tigers are having a down year so far, it's a shame that a good man like coach Lawrence Brookins keeps getting roasted on the blogs.

Last I checked, Brookins had led the Tigers to five district titles in the past seven years, including three state quarterfinal appearances.

That doesn't sound like too bad a track record. Reading the blogs, you'd think Brookins has done nothing but lose at Central.

---

Mario Whitney, the former Jackson football and track phenom who saw little action during his lone, injury-plagued season at Missouri, has revived his college football career.

I wrote over the summer that Whitney -- who rushed for 43 touchdowns and nearly 2,800 yards, including a then single-game state record 463 yards, as a Jackson senior in 2001 -- had joined the football program at NAIA William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

While the competition isn't nearly what it was at MU, Whitney is shining for the 3-3 Statesmen.

Whitney, a junior tailback, leads the Statesmen with 467 yards rushing and six touchdowns, while averaging 6.9 yards per carry.

After missing the first two games of the season, Whitney has turned in 210-yard and 146-yard rushing performances over the past month.

Whitney, who won the 100- and 200-meter dashes at the 2002 Class 4 state track meet, was regarded as among the nation's top 100 high school football recruits.

He signed with MU, but struggled with injuries and left following the 2002 season. He later kicked around at several junior colleges before resurfacing at William Penn.

Hopefully he'll continue to perform well while also earning his degree.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian