With a defense full of vets, Mizzou leans on ‘trust’ headed into week one

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

It's year two with Blake Baker at the helm of the Mizzou defense, and the good news is, the group is returning nine starters from last season.

The Tigers went 6-7 last season. Majority of the defense is in their final year of play at Mizzou and the main goal is to get over that .500 hump before they leave Columbia.

"We had some games where we were one play away against Georgia and Florida," said defensive back Ennis Rakestraw. "That's what really changed the game, is the turnover margin so we need to be able to get the ball back and give it back to our offense," said defensive lineman Darius Robinson.

Last year leading into the season, it was uncertain what Coach Baker would be able to put together, but in year two he is able to step back and let his veterans lead the group.

"It being a player led program, player led defense, it's not necessarily having to turn around and jump on a kid because he's not paying attention, because he's usually being told by an older guy already, which that's what you want, when you have that, you have something special," Baker said.

The Mizzou defense was top 35 last season, allowing an average of 340 yards and 25 points per game. This was a massive jump from two seasons ago, and the group only hopes to continue to upward trend.

"It's comfortability and trust," said defensive tackle Jayden Jernigan. "You got to trust everybody that's on the field, trust your 11, since we've already been out there and we fully know, alright I feel like I know what he's going to do off of this look so it's just a little bit simpler for us to play fast."  

Mizzou will kick off Thursday at 7 p.m. against South Dakota.