Tigers shoot for 3-0 start against New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Sure, Missouri coach Gary Pinkel wants revenge after last season's close home loss to New Mexico.

But what's more important than payback, he said, is continuing the Tiger's momentum. A win today would make them 3-0 for the first time since a 4-0 start in 2003.

"I think you draw from it [last season's loss], then you let it go and focus on yourselves and worry about Mizzou," Pinkel said. "If you're sitting there saying, 'Payback, payback, payback,' what's that do? I want their greatest effort every week. That's all I care about, and I think the win will take care of itself."

Last year, the Lobos (1-1) came to Columbia, Mo., and won 45-35 in a game decided by a late 40-yard field goal and a touchdown in the final two minutes.

Today will be the first time Missouri has played New Mexico on the road. The Lobos have won four straight road games but want to break a four-game home winless streak dating to last season.

New Mexico is coming off a season-opening loss to Division I-AA Portland State and a suspenseful win over New Mexico State, which threatened to come back in the fourth quarter last week.

Missouri has held its first two opponents, Mississippi and Murray State, to just two touchdowns and put up 81 points with quarterback Chase Daniel leading the way. Daniel is 47-of-72 passing for 563 yards and six touchdowns.

Replicating that success against the Lobos could be a challenge, Pinkel said, even though New Mexico has given up 382.5 yards a game and is ranked just 93rd in the nation in total defense, allowing six touchdown passes in two games.

"They're a blitzing football team. They try to cause a lot of confusion, they have a lot of speed on the perimeter," Pinkel said.

The Lobos will have to put pressure on Daniel, who has rushed for 62 yards in two games, New Mexico coach Rocky Long said.

"He's a strong passer, and he doesn't run as well as [former quarterback Brad] Smith, but he's really talented," Long told The Albuquerque Tribune. "He makes good decisions and distributes the ball really well to his teammates."

Long said the Lobos will have to put up long drives on offense to compete against Missouri, which is favored by almost two touchdowns. And they have to do it with backup senior quarterback Chris Nelson, because Kole McKamey is out for the season with a knee injury.

Nelson makes his third career start today after leading the Lobos with three TD passes in their win last week.