Defensive coordinator Blake Baker brings a different energy to Missouri defense, which was in dire need of reinvigoration after finishing at the bottom of nearly every important defensive statistic in 2021.

During the offseason, Baker implemented his own version of the 4-2-5 defensive scheme former Missouri defensive coordinator Steve Wilks used last season. This includes fielding four defensive lineman, two linebackers and five defensive backs. However, Baker’s scheme employs an extra defender in the box, a linebacker/safety hybrid that is referred to at Missouri as the “STAR” position.

The purpose of the STAR is to improve protection against the run, where the Tigers had statistically one the ten worst run defenses in all of college football last season.

Leading up to the season opener against Louisiana Tech, members of the Tigers’ defense bought into Baker’s new scheme. However, everything is easier said than done. Seeing Missouri’s defense in football games would show whether there was improvement or not.

The first game against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs ended in victory for the Tiger defense. The Tigers held the Bulldogs to a measly 23 rushing yards on 13 carries and picked off redshirt junior quarterback Matthew Downing three times. Considering how much Missouri’s defense had struggled to shut down inferior offenses in years past, it was refreshing to see the Tigers play as dominantly as they did against Louisiana Tech.

While the Tigers played well, Louisiana Tech was picked to finish in the bottom three of Conference USA in the conference preseason poll. Missouri’s week two matchup against former Big 12 foe Kansas State, however, was a test to see if the defense had truly changed because the Wildcats’ strengths matched up with Missouri’s most glaring weaknesses from last season.

The Wildcats’ offense featured a run-heavy scheme led by Nebraska graduate transfer quarterback Adrian Martinez and Preseason All-American junior running back Deuce Vaughn, who is one of the most explosive running backs in college football.

The result was a loss for the Tigers. According to the box score, the Wildcats had their way on offense. Vaughn notched his eighth straight game with over 100 rushing yards and ninth straight with a rushing touchdown, while Martinez broke a few chunk runs in the commanding 40-12 victory over the Tigers. Kansas State’s 5.5 yards per carry slightly exceeded Missouri’s YPC allowed in 2021.

Overall, Missouri’s defense played pretty well against Kansas State. Six of the 40 points allowed were from senior wide receiver Phillip Brooks’ punt return touchdown, which brings the score to 34. However, the circumstances must be considered when evaluating the Missouri defense against Kansas State.

After giving up touchdowns on the Wildcats’ first two possessions, the Tigers made some adjustments and forced four consecutive punts, including three consecutive three-and-outs. Kansas State received the ball in Missouri’s red zone three times as a result of three Missouri interceptions in the third quarter, but despite the strong field position, the Tigers held the Wildcats to only six points. Kansas State could’ve easily hit the half-century mark if not for the Missouri defense standing tall in the red zone.

While a stronger performance against Kansas State and less explosive plays versus Louisiana Tech would have been relieving to see, when the Tigers brought in Baker as the new leader of the defense, improvement is what fans expected, and so far they’ve seen it. Even in the Kansas State game, Missouri’s defense showed a fight that was not present last year. It could have rolled over after the Tigers’ offense put them in suboptimal situations, but it did the exact opposite.

The statistics also show immense improvement from last season. In 2021, only three Power 5 teams (Duke, Miami (FL) and Arizona) had statistically worse red zone defenses than Missouri. Its 23 rushing yards allowed against Louisiana Tech were the fewest the Tigers had given up in a game since 2009. Senior defensive back and new STAR Martez Manuel’s three tackles for loss against Louisiana Tech were nearly half of his season total from 2021.

The catalyst of this turnaround was aggressiveness. Two of the three interceptions against the Bulldogs were caused by blitzes, and the third was because redshirt junior transfer defensive lineman Kristian Williams got to Downing in time to get a hand on the pass. The drives Missouri forced four consecutive punts and stalled Kansas State in the red zone three times in a row, it generated consistent pressure in the Wildcats’ backfield and disrupted their flow on offense.

Playing aggressive defense can be rewarding with negative plays and turnovers, but it also leaves Missouri susceptible to long-yardage plays, which happened against both Louisiana Tech and Kansas State. However, the Tigers’ defense playing with far more fire, energy and passion is a welcome sight. Missouri will look to continue its upward trajectory when the Tigers host Abilene Christian on Sept. 16 at 11 a.m. CT.

Edited by Brandon Haynes | bhaynes@themaneater.com

Copy edited by Matt Guzman and Julia Williams | jwilliams@themaneater.com