COLUMBIA, Mo. — Back in August, Missouri offensive coordinator Derek Dooley politely scoffed at the premise that his team was loaded with great depth at running back. The Tigers returned 1,200-yard rusher Larry Rountree and all-purpose wiz Tyler Badie, but next to nothing in terms of other established producers.
Through six games, Rountree and Badie have been the 1-2 punch the Tigers expected, but on Saturday a third pair of thundering legs entered the equation. Midway through the third quarter against Mississippi, 225-pound junior Dawson Downing reminded everyone he’s part of the platoon, taking a routine inside zone running play 54 yards through the teeth of the Rebels defense for his first career touchdown.