#MIZCAMP17 – Intensity Grows as Mizzou Draws Closer to 2017 Campaign
8/24/2017 7:37:00 PM | Football
COLUMBIA, Mo. – With the regular season just nine days away, Mizzou's work on the Kadlec Practice Fields has taken a new form. The time for general preparation has passed, and all efforts are beginning to shift toward what will become the Tigers' regular, game week routine, going to classes, working against scout teams and preparing for the next opponent.
Offensive Coordinator Josh Heupel says that is to be expected by this time of camp, as the players start preparing to implement what they have learned at practice and in the film room, to the game field.
"From where we finished [last season], we're lightyears ahead," Heupel said. "But you have to go out and do it in a game setting. We're kind of out of camp mode now, moving onto game prep. Our guys have got their legs underneath them, and we should be all ready to go."
As the offense fine-tunes before the season, the defensive intensity continues to grow. Defensive Coordinator DeMontie Cross knows that the players who will see consistent action in the games are the ones who succeed in practice.
"We're going to play a lot of guys," Cross said. "We're still working a few things out in the secondary, linebackers and upfront. I like it. I've always believed that, you're only as good as you prep. Those guys that earn the right to be on the field, those guys will play. Somebody is going to have to fight to get onto the field. It's about competition."
Additionally, Cross extended his congratulations to one of the newly elected team captains, redshirt senior DE Jordan Harold.
"Hats off to the young man," Cross said. "He went from walk-on, to scholarship, to captain and that doesn't happen. It's a rare thing. All he's done is work. He's been consistent. He's been a team guy, not an "I" guy. He really leads this entire team and I was really excited to see him get the opportunity to be a captain and lead this 2017 team. He's done it the right way."
Stay tuned to #MIZCamp17 by following Mizzou Football on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @MizzouFootball. Tickets are available for the season by calling 1-800-CAT-PAWS (884-PAWS locally), or visiting MUTigers.com/FBTix.
