COLUMBIA, Mo. — For just an instant, Curtis Luper gave up on trying to occupy the thin space between father and football coach. He has experience managing that — he was on TCU’s staff while his first son, Cameron, played there — but as Mizzou players danced down the sideline Saturday, in that brief moment before the “next play” coaching instinct reclaimed control, Luper allowed pride to overcome his senses.
“Son’s first catch, and it was a huge play in the game as well,” the Mizzou running backs coach said. “I’ll never forget that one.”
His son is Chancellor Luper — goes by Chance — and the huge play was a 69-yard catch-and-run with Missouri trailing 41-38 to defending national champion LSU in the fourth quarter.