COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -Back when he was climbing the coaching ladder at Toledo, Gary Pinkel was 3-0 against Nevada.
Now Pinkel is at Missouri, leading one of the nation’s best teams. Still, he is wary of the Wolf Pack.
“They do things that can cause us problems on both sides of the football,” Pinkel said. “They’ll be prepared.”
Pinkel will try to make it four in a row for his career over Nevada coach Chris Ault, when sixth-ranked Missouri and the Wolf Pack play Saturday.
The Tigers (2-0) have scored 52 points in each of their first two games and may need another big number against an opponent also capable of scoring points in bunches.
last week, said Nevada reminds him of the New Mexico team that upset the Tigers at home two years ago.
Nevada is 0-3 against the Big 12. including last week’s 35-19 loss to Texas Tech, heading into the first meeting between the schools and Ault said of the Tigers, “They are an unbelievable offense.”
Nevada (1-1) presents more of a test than Southeast Missouri. The Wolf Pack hung strong with Texas Tech, before the Red Raiders pulled away in the fourth quarter.
Nevada scored 40 or more points five times last season while going 6-7. The Wolf Pack uses the somewhat unique pistol offense, basically an I formation out of the shotgun with one running back, but Pinkel said Missouri routinely practices against such formations.
Nevada will be without its best runner after losing Luke Lippincott to a season-ending knee injury in the Texas Tech loss. Lippincott led the WAC in rushing last season.
As long as the game’s not too tight Missouri plan to play both backup quarterbacks, freshman Blaine Gabbert and senior Chase Patton, again in this game. Gabbert was one of the most highly touted prospects at his position out of Parkway West High School in suburban St. Louis, switching to Missouri after making verbal commitment to Nebraska.
“I thought he did some good things,” Pinkel said. “Anytime you go from high school to being in front of that many people, it’s quite an experience.”
gures to get a handful of key players back for the game. Safety William Moore is likely to return from a bruised foot that sidelined him last week and wide receiver Danario Alexander and linebacker Van Alexander are both coming off knee injuries. Danario Alexander is a few weeks ahead of schedule after re-injuring a surgically repaired knee in May.
“When he tore it again, he didn’t sulk and I know he’s ready to show people what he can do,” linebacker Sean Weatherspoon said. “I think you can expect a big game out of him, too.”
Moore’s return figures to bolster a secondary that was shaky in the opening 52-42 victory over Illinois, surrendering 451 yards passing and five touchdowns to Juice Williams.
“He’s a high level player,” Pinkel said. “He makes us a better defense right away.”
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