There is a tremendous amount of optimism around the University of MIssouri football program as it embarks on a new season.
The Tigers are coming off a tremendous campaign in which they won 11 games, finished second in the Southeastern Conference East Division, and defeated perennial national power Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.
Mizzou will open its much-anticipated season on Thursday, Aug. 29, when they host Murray State at Faurot Field in Columbia. The Tigers have their sights set on earning a spot in the newly-expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.
Of course, the biggest reason for the rampant optimism in Columbia is the return of All-American wide receiver Luther Burden III for his junior season. The excitement around the state couldn’t have been higher when Burden turned down some of the nation’s top programs to take his special talents to Mizzou.
Since his arrival in Columbia, “Touchdown Luther” has delivered one electrifying play after another while also making Mizzou must-see television on Saturday afternoons. The Tigers were able to compete very well in the ultra-competitive SEC because of the talent assembled on both sides of the ball. However, it is the presence of Burden that gives fans across the state something to look forward to when they wake up on Saturday morning to make that drive to Mid-Missouri.
As a sophomore, Burden had 95 receptions for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns. He had six games in which he had more than 100 yards receiving, including a high game of 158 yards in the Tigers’ thrilling 33-31 victory over Florida late in the season. It was Burden’s big catch on fourth-and-17 in the closing minutes that set up Mizzou’s winning touchdown. It was one of the biggest plays of the season for the Tigers.
*Vashon tabs Jimmy McKinney as coach
Vashon High has tabbed Jimmy McKinney as its new boys basketball coach for the upcoming season.
A former star player at Vashon, McKinney takes over for Tony Irons, who departed to take over as the head coach at Mineral Area College. McKinney was an assistant coach on Irons’ staff before being promoted to the top spot.
McKinney was a four-year standout at Vashon, where he led the Wolverines to state championships in 2000-2002. He was also a collegiate standout at the University of Missouri.
After a successful professional career overseas, McKinney returned to St. Louis to enter the coaching ranks. He was the head coach at Kirkwood High for two seasons before returning to Vashon.
McKinney will inherit a strong returning group of players from a team that won its fourth consecutive state championship. They include seniors Trey Williams, Christian Williams, Dehrio McCaskill and his son Jimmy McKinney III, who is a rising sophomore..