Mizzou Links: 4 years of Braylon Webb, 1 year of Maty Mauk

Braylon Webb has gone from unheralded recruit to four-year starter, Maty Mauk hasn't been incredibly productive but has begun his career 9-3 (thanks in part to Webb and the defense), and Mizzou Soccer comes up with a huge win over Arkansas.

What's On

In case you missed it...

1 day to Kentucky

Hello, ESPN trucks
The Missourian: SEC Nation comes to Columbia

#TalkAboutStuff
The Trib (Behind the Stripes): Gary Pinkel on the SEC Teleconference: Week 10

What to make of the offense?
The Missourian: Missouri football's offense a running debate
The Missourian: Missouri football placing more trust in freshman Witter
PowerMizzou: Pocket protector
The Trib (Behind the Stripes): Stat Spotlight: A Full Season of Maty Mauk, the Starter

* His offense accounted for is nearly 700 yards lower than his closest compatriot (Smith), and his 59.1 percent of offense accounted for is nearly 4 percent lower than the closest competitor (Franklin).

* His total touchdowns are in the middle, behind Franklin and Daniel, as is his percent of scoring (ahead of Gabbert and Smith).

* Missouri's yards per play with him as a starter are better than only Smith, and the average yards per play are the lowest of the five. The average scoring, though, is second only to Franklin. (that Florida game with its 4 return touchdowns says hi.)

* Somewhat surprisingly to me, Missouri actually has a better average time of possession with Mauk at the helm over Daniel. Even with 17:37 of possession against Georgia.

* Now to a new feature: the defense matched up with each quarterback. Mauk's Missouri defenses put up the second-best yards per game and points per game marks of the bunch (behind Daniel's) and the best yards per play mark.

That steady defense
Post-Dispatch: Webb's impact plays spark Mizzou defense

"Braylon Webb never does anything wrong," linebacker Michael Scherer said of the senior co-captain. "Every week it gets posted in the locker room everyone’s production points and (game grades), and I don’t know if I’ve seen one lower for Braylon than 95 percent, which I’ve never come close to. When you think about it, it’s pretty ridiculous how good he is. He helps direct everybody. He’s always in the right spot."

As the Tigers launch into the final third of the regular season with Saturday’s visit from Kentucky (3 p.m., SEC Network), Webb has surfaced as another impact defender on a team that relies on its defense more than ever. A shaky passing game has crippled the offense at times, but the Tigers have uncovered a trusty crutch: a defense that rarely gets exposed. Since the start of conference play last month, Missouri (6-2, 3-1 SEC) has allowed an SEC-low seven scrimmage plays of 20 yards or more — all through the air. Last year, the Tigers allowed five 20-yard plays per game in SEC action.

This year, Mizzou is the only team in the country to not allow a running play of 20 yards or more in conference play.

The Missourian's Friday profiles
The Missourian: TIGER KICKOFF: Shane Ray uses dark past to fuel bright future
The Missourian: TIGER KICKOFF: Markus Golden went against the grain to emerge a Missouri football captain
The Missourian: TIGER KICKOFF: Fast Five, Halloween edition
The Missourian: TIGER KICKOFF: 10 things you didn't know about Kentucky

Brad Madison talks Playoff
PowerMizzou: Off the Edge with Brad Madison

Byes are good (as are wins over Arkansas)

MUTIGERS.COM: Mizzou Soccer Closes Regular Season with 2-1 Win Over Arkansas
The Trib: MU soccer team beats Arkansas to earn No. 4 seed in SEC tourney
The Missourian: Missouri soccer's Pink Out victory has special meaning for one family

All-star wrestlers

MUTIGERS.COM: Cox And Waters Travel To NWCA All-Star Classic Saturday
The Trib: Waters, Cox gear up for all-star meet

WHATNOT

Volleyball
MUTIGERS.COM: Mizzou Volleyball Announces Weekend Promotions

Swimming & Diving
MUTIGERS.COM: Carter Griffin Named to 2015 Pan American Games Roster
MUTIGERS.COM: Mizzou Men's and Women's Swimming Back in Action Against Missouri State Friday

Gymnastics
MUTIGERS.COM: Mizzou Announces 2015 Gymnastics Schedule

FINALLY someone speaks the truth...

Serious Eats: Why Candy Corn Deserves Our Respect: An Appreciation