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| Mizzou quarterback Maty Mauk. Photo by Danny Webster - Playstation 3. |
But perhaps more shocking to the fact that the Tigers are among the nation's unbeaten is that they're ranked in the top-15 for the first time since the Bush administration.
After three games against three quality opponents, Mizzou is sitting at No. 13 in the country. First at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, taking down No. 12 Kansas State, 24-6. As you can tell from the picture, Maty Mauk got the start at quarterback for the Tigers, and he played well in his first collegiate start with two touchdown passes.
More importantly, this new-look defense in the 3-4 scheme has been impressive up to this point. It's a defense that has a new attitude, forcing turnovers at a much faster rate than a year ago. Thanks to the play of Mauk and this defense, in particular, Mizzou is No. 13 in the country after three games.
Here's a rundown.
WEEK 1 - Missouri 24, No. 12 Kansas State 6
This was the beginning of it all. Head coach Calvin Smith knew the minute this game ended that he had a great team together.
Plus, it answered some needed-to-know questions.
Mauk's first start consisted of 248 yards and two touchdowns, and the redshirt sophomore didn't turn the ball over in his first start. Whether the decision to start him over Corbin Berkstresser is a good one will remain to be seen.
"This was a good first test for him," Smith said. "I liked how he was poised throughout the game and didn't lose his confidence. To be young and to do things like that is awesome."
Running back Henry Josey continued his late-season dominance from last year, running for 132 yards and a touchdown for the Tigers. He may be the one who's adapted the best to this pro-style offense, using his quickness and power to run in-between the tackles.
This was the first chance to get a look at the new-look defense as well, and David Johnson made a great interception late in the second quarter, tip-toeing down the sideline for a 36-yard return. Mauk hit tight end Sean Culkin for a 32-yard touchdown to give Mizzou a two-possession lead.
"Points off turnovers, or just turnovers in general, were a problem last year," Smith said. "That was a big-time play from a guy who can make big-time plays."
WEEK 2 - No. 24 Missouri 30, LSU 27
Last year, Missouri lost to LSU because of not forcing a crucial turnover late in the game.
This time, the Tigers did just that. Duron Singleton forced a fumble on LSU receiver Odell Beckman at the 3-yard line with the ball going into the back of the endzone. The ruling was a touchback, and despite Mauk's rough day throwing the ball, Mizzou avenged last year's loss to LSU.
Mauk threw an interception on the first play of the game after not committing a turnover in Week 1, and threw three on the day.
After the Tigers took a 30-27 lead with 1:15 to go, LSU drove down the field behind the arm of quarterback Stephen Rivers. With 40 seconds left, Rivers found Beckham wide open down the left sideline and made the catch at the Missouri 3-yard line, but Singleton jarred the ball loose and went into the back of the endzone to give the Tigers an improbable win.
"Karma is funny, isn't it?" Smith said. "That was an awesome game."
Mauk threw for 229 yards and a touchdown despite those three interceptions, and Josey had another terrific day on the ground, running for 142 yards and a touchdown.
WEEK 3 - No. 20 Missouri 30, No. 21 Auburn 20
It was, officially, the first home game of the year for Missouri as they took on an Auburn team that beat two teams in the top-15 to begin the year.
The Tigers went up 20-0 at halftime despite another struggling performance by Mauk, throwing another three interceptions on the day. Dorial Green-Beckham finally broke through the century mark despite his quarterback's struggles, catching six passes for 119 yards with a long reception of 43 yards.
But it was the Tigers' defense that was dominant. Mizzou got to Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall three times and picked him off twice by Johnson and Singleton.
That's all you need to know from this one. It was never that close.
Now it's on to the next four games. Mizzou gets one more at home against Toledo, then plays the next three on the road. The Tigers play at Vanderbilt, at No. 17 Georgia and at Syracuse before returning home to face a struggling South Carolina team that is winless on the year.
Through four weeks of the 2014 season, every team in the SEC East has lost, except for one. Yeah, you guessed it. Missouri. The Tigers are in first place in the division a quarter into the season. Mark that down in your calendars.
Meanwhile, keep an eye on the SEC West. Alabama, Texas A&M, Mississippi State and (holy crap) Ole Miss is ranked in the top-25. Only the Crimson Tide and Aggies are undefeated thus far. Mizzou doesn't face Alabama this year, but they do get Johnny Football for another year.
This has been your update. Let's see how far Mizzou goes with this.
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