<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1Xvpfi_0vj3II4T00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1Xvpfi_0vj3II4T00" width="1210" height="806" ></figure><p>The Missouri Tigers overcame a massive scare this Saturday as they avoided an upset in thrilling fashion, overcoming Vanderbilt 30-27 in double overtime. The Tigers were saved by a missed chip shot field goal from the Commodores, but there was a lot in the game that led up to that moment. As always, legends and data for the offense can be found on my substack. </p><p>Offensively, the Tigers had an excellent day running the football as Nate Noel ran for 199 yards on 24 carries, good for a career-high. On the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers did a good job of creating pressure but converting those pressures into sacks was a difficult task with a large-bodied quarterback on the opposition in Diego Pavia. </p><p>Nonetheless, this weeks MVPs again reflects the common ideal in football that close games are won by the trenches as the area has representatives on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball</p><h2>Armand Membou | Offensive Tackle</h2><p>Membou was a key part to the Tigers thrilling win on Saturday as it was his stout blocking on the right side that allowed Nate Noel to pick up 199 yards on 24 carries. Membou has excelled this season in the run blocking game and specifically the outside zone game, which has been the Tigers main offensive reliance to begin the season.</p><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=19FMvu_0vj3II4T00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=19FMvu_0vj3II4T00" width="708" height="428" ><p>Membou was in the 87th percentile of pass blockers and in the 93rd percentile of run blockers in week four. In 44 pass blocking sets, Membou only allowed one pressure all night bringing his tally up to two pressures allowed in the season thus far. Membou has been one of the highest ranked tackles in all of college football this season in the VAT, and if he keeps this up he will likely find himself playing on sundays. </p><p>One run from Noel early in the second quarter shows how vital Membou is to the outside zone game, as he generated the hole that allowed Noel to bring a big chunk play. Membou is one of the cleanest blockers on the Tiger line, rarely picking up penalties thanks to his blocking technique. Although Membou’s strength in the past has been pass blocking, it has been intriguing to see his growth as a run blocker. </p><p>You can argue that without a performance like Membou’s on Saturday that we would be having a different conversation about MIzzou’s season, but luckily for the Tigers they didn’t have to coexist in that reality. Whether Membou can keep up this hot streak throughout the rest of SEC play is to be determined, but if he can, expect guys like Nate Noel to be winning player of the week awards left and right. </p><h2>Chris McClellan | Defensive Lineman</h2><p>Chris McClellan has made a name for himself early in his tenure as a Tiger, as this is his second analytics MVP award already and the Tigers aren’t even halfway through the season. McClellan had a monster night with three pressures, one batted pass, and five tackles on the night. McClellan led the defensive line in all those categories. </p><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4VrBkG_0vj3II4T00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4VrBkG_0vj3II4T00" width="567" height="418" ><p>McClellan was in the 97th percentile of the VAT marking it his second week of the season being above the 90th percentile, being the only defensive player on the roster to do so. He was 95th percentile in pass rush and 86th percentile in run defense with four stops, a stat that he was also a team leader in. </p><p>Early in the second quarter, McClellan made an amazing run stop where he plugged a vital hole that stopped Vanderbilt from picking up a touchdown and forcing them to kick a field goal when it looked like they were driving. The Florida transfer is essentially a stop generating machine with the way he plugs holes and holds his ground as a tackler, with his big size in the middle of the line. </p><p>If McClellan keeps up he could be making Analytics MVP history as last season the player with the most MVPs was Kris Abrams-Draine and he picked up three, while McClellan has two in four games already. What’s even more impressive is that McClellan is a newcomer in this team, but he seems to have found a home with Mizzou. </p><h2>Legend</h2><h2>Interior Defensive Line</h2><blockquote><p><i>Pass Rush:</i> Pass Rush Score, comprised of various pass rushing stats and factors</p><p><i>Run Defense:</i> Run Defense Score, comprised of various run defense stats and factors</p><p><i>Stops:</i> On a first down, if the offense gets 45% of the way to a first down or less.</p><p>On a second down, if the offense gets 60% of the way to a first down or less.</p><p>On a third or fourth down, if the offense doesn’t get a first down.</p><p><i>HHS:</i> Hits, Hurries, and Sacks generated</p><p><i>Efficiency:</i> Overall Defensive Efficiency</p></blockquote></div></body>

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Week 4 Analytics MVPs: Linemen dominate against Vanderbilt

The Missouri Tigers overcame a massive scare this Saturday as they avoided an upset in thrilling fashion, overcoming Vanderbilt 30-27 in double overtime. The Tigers were saved by a missed chip shot field goal from the Commodores, but there was a lot in the game that led up to that moment. As always, legends and data for the offense can be found on my substack.