Selected Shots Sunday: Homecoming Spectacular
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Mizzou fans were in for an absolute TREAT on Saturday. The weather? Magnificent. The action? Spectacular. The score? Astonishing. The throws? Unreal. Roberts’ runs? Wow. The vibes? Immaculate. My friends and I were talking about this was the most engaged we’ve seen the fans in a game, and it was truly awesome to witness. I will say upfront, I did not think Mizzou had a chance to win this game, and I was sad that it was on Homecoming because who wants to lose on Homecoming?! I was wrong, and I am so so happy about it.
Dan Murphy was on hand for the action on the photography beat, and he got some GREATTTTT shots. While the football writers won’t ever include non-football shots in their posts, that’s where I come in.
Presenting… PURE JOY. So many to choose from.
In Flight, Part 1
I haven’t seen any photos from our esteemed photographers this season that capture these kinds of moments, and as I mentioned earlier, they aren’t normally uploaded to our system because our football writers don’t use them for their stories. I love this photo.
YOU
How good was Austin Simmons on Saturday, you guys? 23-for-30 with 340 yards and two touchdowns? He’s well on his way to being an NFL first-rounder, I feel like. His throws are just…. insane. I’m constantly in awe of him.
Sea of Gold
Another really cool one. Love the flags billowing in the background, surrounded by a sea of gold. Glorious. It really was a Gold Rush.
BANG
Obsessed with that photo on the left. I tried to make my own version of it when I saw the gold explosion (on the right). One of us is a pro. The other… is me. Though I do like mine.
Phil (uh oh) 0
It was Saturday that I learned that Donta Simpson Jr. existed, and here he is getting his lone solo tackle. The defensive was smothering on Saturday, with 68 tackles, 28 solo, and 11 for loss. Corey Battoon coaching MVP? They were allllll over Florida QB Aaron Philo all game, who had just a 62.1 QB rating.
You’re So Golden
Unfortunately, this photo doesn’t clearly feature our newly crowned Homecoming Queen, Golden Girl co-captain and Columbia native (Rock Bridge H.S.), Whitney Blackburn, but it is a cool photo overall. I love this photo regardless.
DE- DE- DE- DEFENSE
Robert Woodyard Jr. was also everywhere on Saturday, with six tackles and 1.5 for loss. Dan asked the football slack pre-game what the writers wanted photos of, and the overwhelming response was “defensive photos.” Mission accomplished!
Stare Down
The lighting in this one is just *chef’s kiss*, and Sione Laulea had five tackles, including two solo and a half a tackle for loss. Side note: I don’t know how one get awarded half a tackle? Is it because it’s shared with another tackler so he’s awarded a fraction? I just don’t know (I’m not a football writer.)
In Flight, Part 2
No words. This is just a cool as hell photo.
Craig the Leg
Craig was great on Saturday, going three-for-four with a long of 52 yards for 13 points. He hit a 32-yarder in the first, missed a 50-yarder in the second (it wasn’t close, but oh well), made a 50-yarder in the second (redemption!), and made the aforementioned 52-yarder in the third.
King of the Jungle
I bet Truman woke up tired on Sunday, because he did A LOT of pushups. And as a person of similar age, I know how tired I am, and that’s just from walking up hills. Furthermore, I bet the guys pictured who are in charge of lifting up Truman on the pushup platform are feeling it today as well. Hope everyone is resting today from a glorious day at Memorial Stadium.
MV3 Candidate
Earlier this season, Kensley Louidor-Faustin hasn’t looked like he should be on the field as much as was, but on Saturday, WOW. He looked great. Five tackles, four solo, and 3.5 for loss. Also, unrelated, but he has a super cool name.
Sad Gator
Really good flag photos this week! This is a fun one, because while we can’t see what McClain is actually thinking, him looking on as the Tigers are celebrating is just fun.
Welcome Home, Kris!
Kris Budden, Mizzou J-School alumna, got a lucky assignment this weekend, getting to return to her alma mater for Homecoming. Love this photo of her with QB Austin Simmons.
Catch Me If You Can
Speedster Donavan Olugmode ran just under the century mark in Saturday’s game, finishing the game with six receptions for 94 yards for an average of 15.7 yards per carry. Love the vibrant colors in this photo.
Defying Gravity
Love, love, LOVE this one. Austin Simmons’ favorite target, Cayden Lee, had eight receptions for 110 yards on Saturday, and while he didn’t score a TD, he was ever-present in the Tigers’ offense.
Face Off
Florida’s Duke Clark was held to just one reception for a single yard in Saturday’s game just a week after unloading on Ole Miss for a dozen carries and 126 yards. GO DEFENSE!
Thanks for tuning in. I’ll be back next week with cross country, soccer, volleyball, and football shots from Dan and Margo!
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos