How the Mizzou Offense Looks to Improve it's Red Zone Efficiency in 2024
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For obvious reasons, fireworks are only meant to be ignited into vast, open spaces. If lit in a close room, they would ricochet in a million different directions and won't be as pretty.
In 2023, the Missouri Tigers offense was as explosive and pretty as any firework. Thanks to a combination of factors — offensive coordinator Kirby Moore's playbook, Brady Cook's arm and some dynamic receivers — the Missouri offense thrived off of the deep passing game.
In trips to the red zone though, just like fireworks in a small room, the offense was much less successful and definitely less pretty. Though the Tigers scored on 56 out of 58 trips to the red zone, 20 (35.7 percent) of those scores came from field goals. The offense's touchdown:field goal ratio was only the 46th best.
Heading into 2024, Moore has highlighted the red zone has a key area to improve in for both his play calling and his player's execution. During spring practices, he's looking to eliminate any self-inflicted wounds that harmed Missouri in that area of the field last season.
"Statistically in the red zone this season (2023), we had 15 drives where we had a penalty and (on) 11 of them we kicked field goals so that is something we point to," Moore said Saturday after a spring scrimmage.
Missouri is only eight practices in thus far for spring camp but Moore already seems to be pleased with the group's red zone execution.
"Today from the ones was very good, from a red zone standpoint . Those guys I thought did a nice job at executing. I do not believe we had a penalty with the first group within the red zone."
If Mizzou improves in the red zone for the 2024 season, it will likely be due to two players; receiver Theo Wease and tight end Brett Norfleet.
Wease, who transferred from Oklahoma ahead of the 2023 season, led the SEC in contested catches in his first year at Missouri. His 6-foot-2 height and hand placement makes him a dangerous deep threat.
In order to aid in the red zone efforts this season, Wease is looking to pass down some of his knowledge on '50/50 balls' to his fellow receivers.
"Just helping my group get better at contested catches," Wease said Saturday. "In the red zone, the field is wider than it is lengthwise so most catches gonna be collision catches."
For Wease, teaching other receivers how to improve in contested catches involves repetition and mastering one specific area of muscle control.
"Try to simulate that as much as you can and just working on your grip strength, that's a big thing for me."
Along with Wease, another tall target for Cook to find in the red zone will be Norfleet. The St. Louis native showed growth and development throughout his impressive freshman season where he caught 18 passes for 197 yards and three touchdowns. Norfleet was a determined blocker the instant he stepped on the field for Missouri but seems to be improving as a receiver as well.
"He looks really really good, playing good, playing confident," Moore said. "You saw last season, game five, going into the LSU, just the physicality that he brought, that's continued and from a detail standpoint I think he's progressing as a receiver. (When) we get in third down situations, I don't think going forward we have to focus on the wide receivers, the tight end should be a part of that"
Norfleet's development has also been noticed by his close positional relatives in the receiver room.
"I feel like it's all coming together for him," Wease said. "He's getting more comfortable and confident."
Norfleet's dual role should also benefit the offense in the red zone. Being able to keep him on the field on both pass and run plays should keep opposing defenses guessing, especially in short yardage situations.
If Norfleet can continue on the path he seems to be on and Wease passes down his contested catch skills, the Missouri offense should see improvements in the red zone.
Though they'd prefer to hit a hole in one from 80 yards out with a Cook rainbow to Luther Burden every drive, the group will have to learn the touch and skill required for a short putt.
