Punters try to make their cases for starting job in final scrimmage

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- With Missouri's season opener only nine days away, coach Gary Pinkel still hadn't settled the Tigers' kicking and punting situation.

Adam Crossett went into summer drills as Missouri's top punter and place-kicker after holding down both spots last season. Since then, senior Matt Hoenes has moved into the No. 1 punter's spot.

Hoenes has had better punting averages in Missouri's intrasquad scrimmages -- including one Thursday in which each punted four times.

Crossett had the day's longest punt at 48 yards, to Hoenes' long of 42 yards. But Hoenes was more consistent, averaging 40.5 yards to 39.5 yards for Crossett.

Still, Crossett said he expects to win the starting punter's job again, to go along with his place-kicking and kickoff duties.

"In my opinion I have three jobs to do and I just want to go out and do them," he said.

For now, Hoenes remains atop the depth chart going into the Tigers' opener Sept. 2 against Murray State.

"Come game time, we'll see what happens," Hoenes said.

Crossett has also faced increased competition for his place-kicking job, with freshman Jeff Wolfert performing solidly in scrimmages.

"He's done well," Pinkel said. "I'm very impressed with him."

On Monday, Wolfert went 7-for-8 on field goal attempts with a long of 44 yards.

On Thursday, he and Crossett each went 4-for-4 during the scrimmage. Afterward, Wolfert connected on three more tries while Crossett went 2-for-3 with a miss wide right from 39 yards.