Lock to get one WR back for Memphis game
Senior quarterback Drew Lock threw for only 142 yards last week, when Missouri scored just 10 points. But that was against No. 1 Alabama, so it’s somewhat understandable.
The Tigers (3-3) have a different challenge this week when they play host to another set of Tigers — Memphis — on Saturday for Homecoming. This week’s spotlight might be more on the Missouri defense, as it tries to stop Memphis running back Darrell Henderson.
Lock completed just 13 of 26 passes against the Tide, with two interceptions and one touchdown. He has been working with a depleted wide receiving corps, although there is some good news on that front.
Wideout Richaud Floyd, who suffered a broken leg during preseason training camp, is ready to go after participating in limited practice reps for several weeks. He was in uniform for the Alabama game but did not play.
“I’m feeling good,” Floyd said in the Missourian. “It’s great to be back. It’s been a long time.”
The redshirt junior caught 14 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns last season, and showed his playmaking skills as a punt return. He scored twice on special teams and averaged 19.8 yards per punt return.
Elsewhere at wide receiver, Emanuel Hall has missed two games because of a groin injury and is out for Saturday’s game so he can attend the funeral of his father, coach Barry Odom said. Nate Brown also has sat for two games because of a groin injury, which he is still nursing.
That means freshman Jalen Knox and Kam Scott are expected to be in the starting lineup again. Knox has 15 catches for 280 yards on the season, including three receptions for 61 yards vs. Alabama.
While Lock continues to work on finding rhythm with a young set of wideouts, Missouri is still 21st in the country in passing at 289.0 yards game. Memphis (4-3) is 33rd in passing yards allowed at 193.4 yards per game.
Memphis, of the American Athletic Conference, is coming off a near-upset of still-undefeated UCF, as the Knights came back to win 31-30. Henderson leads the nation in rushing at 161.9 yards per game.
Missouri will be trying to end a three-game losing streak before jumping back into SEC play at home against Kentucky on Oct. 27.