Columbia Missourian
I’m sure many of you have seen the following play at least once every Mizzou football game this year:
Chase Daniel drops back and lobs a screen pass to tight end Chase Coffman. Coffman snags the ball and charges down the right side of the field drawing an outside linebacker or strong safety in the open field. The smaller defender aims for a seemingly conspicous weak link: Coffman’s giraffe-like legs. The defender breaks down low and dives…and face plants into the ground as Coffman vaults him like a triple jumper’s last leap. Coffman is then dragged down by two defenders.
Many stories have been written and many short 5 or 10-second clips on Sportscenter have been devoted to this feat. But, one of the overlooked (and now officially inscribed next a No. 1) is the first part of the descriptions of these gems: “Coffman snags the ball…” “Coffman makes the catch…” “Daniel’s pass complete to Coffman for another first down. M – I – Z…”
While the NCAA doesn’t keep records for “most players leap-frogged in a game,” they do keep track of most career receptions for a tight end and on Saturday, they had to make room at the top for Coffman.
While a receiving tight end catching the ball may seem pedestrian (that’s his job), what isn’t is a player with Coffman’s flair staying focused on the little things and making that catch before making that leap.
Just some food for thought. Here’s the story.
