Dominique Hamilton News

Missouri defensive end Aldon Smith tried to deflect a pass by Navy cornerback Caleb Lucas as the University of Missouri and Navy played in the Texas Bowl in Reliant Stadium on Thursday, Dec 31, 2009, in Houston, Texas.

I arrived in Houston today and attended both the Missouri and Navy practices. Missouri is practicing at the Methodist Athletic Center, located across from Reliant Stadium.

There is a big difference between respect and awe. Navy's players have professed the utmost respect for Texas Bowl opponent Missouri, but are not awe-struck by the prospect of facing an upper echelon program from the powerful Big 12 Conference.

The Baylor defense was Blaine Gabbert's plaything for one half Saturday, a toy that he manipulated for whatever outcome he wanted.

Whether it wraps up in three weeks or at some lower-tier bowl game, by the conclusion of Missouri's football season, the Tigers might lead the Big 12 Conference in blank stares.

COLUMBIA Missouri defensive lineman Dominique Hamilton has been trying to step up every game, and going into the Baylor game Saturday, he felt prepared to play well.

By the end of the first half of Saturday's game against Baylor, sophomore quarterback Blaine Gabbert had completed 21 of 27 passes for 322 yards and two touchdowns.

Back in Heisman race? Texas quarterback Colt McCoy evades would-be Missouri tackler Dominique Hamilton during the first half on Saturday.

Weeks like this are why Dominique Hamilton went to Missouri. His Tigers are on a two-game skid, but this weekend the former Chapin High School star and current starting defensive tackle for Missouri will be chasing Texas' Colt McCoy in a high-stakes Big 12 showdown on national television.

Nebraska wide receiver Brandon Kinnie celebrated a touchdown with Nebraska wide receiver Niles Paul after Paul broke loose for a touchdown during the University of Missouri and University of Nebraska football game on Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on Thursday, Oct 8, 2009, in Columbia, Missouri.

Nebraska running back Roy Helu Jr. runs past Missouri defensive end Aldon Smith during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Oct.

In this interesting bye week, with a game last Friday and a game next Thursday, we've got a little bit of time to look toward the future for a minute before thinking about the showdown against Nebraska.

As the season-opening stomping of Illinois continued in the fourth quarter, Missouri defensive tackle Jaron Baston was struck by one thought.

In Missouris final preseason scrimmage of 2006, Danario Alexander jumped from possible redshirt into the receiving rotation as a true freshman.

The blueprint in constructing any effective defense involves, first and foremost, building from the inside out.

Ziggy Hood might have left the most glaring hole on the Missouri defensive line, but the first-round pick's defensive tackle spot isn't the only place where there's some replacing to do.

The suggestion that Missouri sophomore Terrell Resonno might be too nice to play defensive tackle produces a scowl that would suggest otherwise.

The suggestion that Missouri sophomore Terrell Resonno might be too nice to play defensive tackle produces a scowl that would suggest otherwise.