Junior wide receiver Emanuel Hall’s performance last Saturday against Kentucky showed his potential to contribute to Missouri’s offense, a welcome addition to a team that was desperate for depth.

Hall started his first game of the season in the loss. He was recently promoted to the No. 1 spot on the depth chart after sophomore Dimetrios Mason was dismissed from the team.

“I’m really confident right now,” Hall said. “Coming into the game, I was feeling really good. Offensively, we practiced really well during the week.”

It wasn’t Hall’s first time seeing the field, however. The 6-foot-3 wideout played in all 12 contests last season, recording 19 catches for 307 yards and two touchdowns.

“Last year, I started out the season starting,” Hall said. “This year, being at second string really motivated me.”

Hall recorded four catches for an impressive 129 yards that included a 58-yard touchdown reception right before halftime against Kentucky.

He attributed the performance of junior quarterback Drew Lock as one of the main reasons for the team’s offensive success. Missouri recorded 355 passing yards against Kentucky, its most in a Southeastern Conference game since its September 2016 loss to Georgia in which Lock threw for 376 yards.

“Drew really trusted his arm,” Hall said. “And we took chances with the 50/50 ball more. We trusted him and our playmaking abilities.”

Hall suffered a shoulder injury prior to the team’s 35-3 home loss to Purdue on Sept. 16 and missed the team’s next game against Auburn. In the two games without Hall on the field, Missouri was held to an average of 174 yards passing.

In addition, Hall and Lock’s chemistry has noticeably improved.

“The connection with Drew was there,” Hall said. “It’s been really great in practice recently.”

Hall had been known for his speed prior to this season, but with his improved route running and playmaking ability, he could become a huge part in the Missouri offense.

“I’ve always been a speed guy,” Hall said. “So defenses always tried to press me. I know that, and was able to execute.”

Hall and Missouri have a tough test ahead of them in their next contest against the No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday in Athens, Georgia. The game will kickoff at 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network.

_Edited by Joe Noser | jnoser@themaneater.com_