Derrick Washington is being done wrong by Missouri, and he can blame Ricky Clemons.
The ghost of Mizzou’s most embarrassing moment lives on, not just with jailhouse tapes about “crackers shaking,” but now with real consequences about how the athletic program (over)reacts to off-the-field issues.
The University of Missouri will not allow Derrick Washington to return to the Tigers’ football team, even though there has been no resolution made public regarding a class C felony charge against Washington for deviate sexual assault.
The move surprised Washington’s family, said his mother, Sarah.
The story about this Saturday — when Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase strolls onto the Edward Jones Dome carpet, faces a hell-bent Missouri defense and takes his first snap as a Big Ten starter — begins with the young protagonist fighting back tears.
Two years ago on a Friday night in November, Scheelhaase was leading top-ranked Rockhurst against Blue Springs South in a Missouri Class 6 playoff game. Throughout his career, Scheelhaase could always depend on his talent. He could run, pass and make opponents look helpless. They don’t hand out nicknames like “Nasty Nate” for just anybody.
The University of Missouri will not allow Derrick Washington to return to the Tigers’ football team, even though there has been no resolution made public regarding a class C felony charge against Washington for deviate sexual assault.
The move surprised the Washington family, according to Washington’s mother, Sarah.
COLUMBIA | In the previous two games against Illinois, suspended Missouri tailback Derrick Washington ran 33 times and gained 191 yards, scoring two touchdowns. Missouri’s top four remaining running backs have run 12 times for 19 yards with no touchdowns against Illinois heading into Saturday’s swan song to the Arch Rivalry game in St. Louis.
In last season’s 37-9 Mizzou victory, De’Vion Moore netted 21 yards in eight carries and Kendial Lawrence lost two yards in four carries. Freshmen Henry Josey and Marcus Murphy have never played in a college game.
With plenty of position battles still being fought on the defensive side of the ball, it doesn't appear Kansas defensive coordinator Carl Torbush is going to proceed with much caution as far as the two-deep depth chart is concerned.
If you've got two legs, two arms and are interested in making a tackle, interception or sack, you're going to play for KU on Saturday against North Dakota State.
Win now, Big 12, or forever hold your peace.
Well, not forever, but the rest of September.
