A&M expects Mizzou's offense to be tailored differently around Zollers
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Missouri got a bad break — more like a sprain, actually — in a 17-10 loss to Vanderbilt on Oct. 25.
Quarterback Beau Pribula sustained a dislocated left ankle and torn ligaments while trying to score on a fourth-and-goal run.
Pribula was replaced by true freshman Matt Zollers, who came on to complete 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown vs. the Commodores.
Zollers will get his first career start on Saturday against No. 3 Texas A&M.
Aggies coach Mike Elko, speaking on Monday at his weekly press conference, indicated he was impressed with what he’s seen from Zollers.
“There’s obviously not a ton of film,” Elko said. “You know, we went back and watched his high school stuff. Watched the part that he played in the Vanderbilt game, obviously.
“He’s a talented kid. I think he throws the ball really well. The ball jumps out of his hand. You can see that.
“So, anticipate him being able to make all of the throws. See what he can do with his feet. He’s an athletic kid, and so he presents a lot of challenges to us.”
That will be part of the challenge for the Aggies in preparing to face Zollers.
Although A&M figures to have an advantage by facing an inexperienced backup quarterback, Elko anticipates Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz and offensive coordinator Kirby Moore will find ways to best use Zollers.
He also anticipates Missouri’s other offensive players will raise their level of performance to help Zollers.
“I’m sure what they’ll do is try to tailor (the offense) to him, what he does well, what he’s capable of,” Elko said. “(I) anticipate that the 10 guys around him will step up and support him, and he’ll go out and then play a really good game with those guys as a tremendous supporting cast.”
Hard-running Hardy
The Missouri offense is primarily built around sophomore running back Ahmad Hardy, a transfer from Louisiana-Monroe.
The 5-foot-10, 210-pound Hardy leads the SEC with 937 rushing yards. Last year at ULM, he earned Freshman All-American and All-Sun Belt honors for gaining 1,351 yards and scoring 13 touchdowns.
“He’s a really talented back,” Elko said. “He’s big. He’s powerful. He runs through tackles. I think you see that consistently.
“He’s always leaning forward. He always gets more than is blocked. I think that obviously (is) a testament to being a really good running back.”
Hardy reached or exceeded 100 rushing yards in each of the first five games, but he has been held to fewer than 100 yards in each of the last three. It’s probably not a coincidence that the Tigers lost two of those games and went into overtime vs. Auburn in the other.
Moss watch
Elko confirmed that injured running back Le’Veon Moss is expected to be back in action at some point this season.
He could not say when, though.
Moss sustained an ankle injury during A&M’s 34-17 victory over Florida on Oct. 11.
Back then, Elko said: “It certainly will not end his season, but it's going to be a significant amount of time (before he returns).”
The outlook hasn’t changed.
“The timeline is still exactly what we anticipated from the beginning,” Elko said on Monday. “It’s still too early to tell whether that’s going to move or not.
“We’re hopeful that, by the end of the regular season, we’ll have a chance to get him back out there. Certainly, we feel very confident for anything beyond the end of the regular season if that presents itself.”
Moss has rushed for 389 yards and six touchdowns. He was A&M’s leading rusher at the time of his injury.
NOTES
• Elko announced players of the week for the 49-25 victory over LSU on Oct. 25. Those honored included quarterback Marcel Reed (offense), defensive end Cashius Howell (defense) and receiver KC Concepcion (special teams). Also cited were Chase Bisontis (offensive lineman) and Tyler Onyedim (defensive lineman). Scout team players of the week were tight end Kiotti Armstrong (offense), linebacker Jeremiah Searcy (defense) and running back Preston Landis (special teams).
• Elko opened his press conference by congratulating volleyball coach Jamie Morrison on the Aggies’ victory over Texas on Friday.
• Kickoff for the A&M vs. South Carolina football game at Kyle Field on Nov. 15 has been set for 11 a.m. CT.
