Rock M Digest: Vol. 2, Issue 6

Oct 6, 2024 | Uncategorized

Written By

I’m no Photoshop wizard like Josh, but I think this looks pretty great | Karen Steger Designs

A weekly list of fantastic stories (and quotes) you may have missed this past week at Rock M Nation dot com

Welcome to Rock M Digest, a renewed weekly column where I, Madame Editor, share with you my must-read picks for the Rock M Nation content of the week. These stories made me think (sometimes too much), laugh, smile, cry… you get the picture. We’ve got a talented bunch of writers at this site, and since I have the distinct pleasure of reading all of it — I love reading it all, I swear — I want you, the readers, to know what you should be checking out if you don’t have time to read all the content. After all, we did put out 46 stories this week alone. And that’s not including podcasts (which I’ve linked to below) and Rock M+ content, which isn’t found on the main RMN page.

At the bottom, I’ve gathered up my favorite quotes of the week and presented them with no context. There is a link to the story included, and I highly recommend reading the stories that go along with them.

DISCLAIMER: Because we’re all pissed or flummoxed or sad or [insert your emotion here] from the game on Saturday, I’m going to try to focus on other content this week, but I will say this. Remember when Mizzou lost to Norfolk State in the NCAA Tourney? And then a school called Lehigh beat the Duke Blue Devils and people stopped talking about Mizzou’s game? Well, we have an unlikely hero in Vanderbilt to thank for dimming at least the national spotlight on the Tigers’ loss on Saturday.

Let’s begin.

Rock M Recs

Pourover: Nearly anything is possible in college football

Just a reminder from Sam that nearly anything is possible in college football. In case you missed it, he said, “College Football is always full of surprises.” Ain’t that the f’ing truth?! Nearly everyone is at risk. Even you, soon-to-not-be-no.1 Alabama.

Non-Con Preview: Illinois Fighting Illini

In which Sam talks about my all-time favorite series, Braggin’ Rights, which is now in its 44th edition, despite playing 55 times. The Illini this year should be good again, but it seems like it could be yet another year in which that Final Four appearance remains elusive. What remains in Champaign is a shell of a recognizable roster, as Underwood has essentially turned over the whole thing. Per Sam, gone are 6,554 minutes (85.67%), 2862 points (90.34%), and 152 starts (80%) with Terrence Shannon, Marcus Domask, Coleman Hawkins, Quincy Guerrier, Dain Dainja, Luke Goode, Justin Harmon, Amani Hansberry, and Niccolo Moretti all leaving. That’s simply insanity, and it will be interesting to see how this year’s version, Braggin Rights 45, turns out.

Mizzou soccer downs Florida 2-0 in first conference win

Rejoice in the sweet, sweet Senior Day (despite it not being the last home game) victory against Florida a week ago. The seniors, particularly Milena Fischer and Leah Selm, were on fire in this one, and sophomore goalie Kate Phillips continues to shine. A good read on what was a happy day for the Tigers, and while you’re at it, check out Dylan’s Tiger Targets, which discusses Mizzou’s Friday tilt against Tennessee.

Mizzou Hoops Player Previews

It’s officially player preview season for Men’s Hoops, and The Matts — Watkins, with some video assistance from Harris — have put together quite the collection thus far. This week alone, you can read about Trent Burns, whose potential to stretch the floor on offense could add a wrinkle to Mizzou’s front court, T.O. Barrett, the combo guard who possesses the frame, strength, and tenacity to help with perimeter defense, and Marcus Allen, the Miami native who is physically ready for high-major duty. You don’t want to miss ‘em, I promise.

Black dominates Gold in intrasquad meet

Here on the Rock M Nation Olympic Sports beat, we’re looking to provide some sort of coverage on all the sports, and so far this season we’ve given you pieces on soccer, volleyball, wrestling, softball, gymnastics, cross country and golf. What’s next, you ask? Rory and I attended the Black & Gold intrasquad meet on Friday to get a preview of the season (Matthew joined us towards the end) and we are intrigued. So, after pouring over meet results, top times and talking with Coach Grevers, we have our first S&D piece for the site. As a swammer (former swimmer) and former coach, this was more fun than I anticipated, and I realized I miss this crazy sport. While it won’t always be me providing the coverage (Friday morning meets don’t really work for my job, guys), we will have stories and photos from most home meets! Enjoy!

Quotables

“By all accounts, the Tigers themselves believe they’ve earned the right to walk these elite circles. Even though their record remains unblemished, the party line has been: “Not good enough.” Mizzou knows what its best football looks like and knows it hasn’t put it out there for everyone to see. But at what point does the gap between expectation and execution start to get into your own head?” —Josh Matejka, Something to Prove once more? (10/1)

“As far as what went wrong in the first half goes, that piece could be 2000 words or higher if need be. The real pressing question is just how detrimental a half like that can be to a team’s odds to win a game. While the saying “it isn’t over till the clock hits zeroes” is prevalent in the sport, it’s hard to hold true in a half like the one seen on Saturday. This season, teams down 24 or more after the half are winless.” —Adeen Rao, Texas A&M sidebar (10/5)

“In this season’s clash, Mizzou will face one of the best defensive lines in the country. The row of probable future pros is led by defensive end Nic Scourton, who’s widely believed to be, at the very least, a top-20 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft as of the present day.” —Quentin Corpuel, Dissecting the trench tilt between Mizzou and A&M (10/3)

“Welp. The dew is off the lily. It’s a shame, but Mizzou will be looked at as frauds nationally, and there’s not a damn thing any of us fans can say to counter it. And that’s too bad because this program is absolutely better than it showed on Saturday. Drink will have quite a tough job of motivation going forward – both with the team and with the fan base – because this team got flat-out embarrassed on the national stage.” —Chad Moller, Five Takeaways, A&M (10/5)

Hot Shots

In this week’s Hot Shots, Cal traveled to College Station to shoot the Mizzou football game, and Mike headed to Mizzou Aquatic Center to shoot the Black & Gold intrasquad meet.

Listen Up!

We’ve been busy this past week with non-football related podcasts! Here’s what you may have missed.

Episode Seven of MY podcast, Majority Rules, is now available. In this episode, we’re talking soccer senior night, their big Florida win, volleyball’s one good (LSU) and one disappointing (A&M) game, softball’s big Fall Ball opener win, women’s hoops exhibitions, golf’s promising performance at the Blessings Invitational, baseball needs better communication regarding fall ball, gymnastics oath keeping, men’s cross country dominance and fan journalism (fanalism). This was a fun one with everyone here together.

Matthew’s Majority Rules: Over the Net series continued with an interview with Oregon State transfer Mychael Vernon, who recently won SEC Player of the Week.

Dive Cuts is back with Sam & Matt Watkins, who ask if Mizzou could be the most overlooked team in the SEC.

In a new episode of Before the Box Score, the Nates, Edwards & Hurst, reconvene to preview the Texas A&M game.

Mizzou Sports this Week:

Sun, Oct 6: VB AT Kentucky, 12pm | SB AT kU, 1pm | BASE AT UIC, 12pm

Mon, Oct 7: W-GOLF AT Sunflower Showdown (Lawrence, Kan.)

Wed, Oct 9: W-TEN AT ITA Regional Championships (Memphis, Tenn.) | VB v. SEMO, 7pm

Thur, Oct 10: BASE v. tbd, 3:15pm | SB v. Kaskaskia College, 5pm | SOC v. Ole Miss, 7pm

Fri, Oct 11: BASEBALL v. tbd, 3:30pm | VB v. Alabama, 7pm

Sat, Oct 12: FB AT UMass, 11am | W-S&D AT Arkansas, 10am | SB v. Illinois, 2pm | BASE v. tbd, 12pm | GYM intrasquad meet, tbd (Home)

Sun, Oct 13: VB v. Tennessee, 2pm | SOC AT MS State, 5:30pm

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