FAYETTEVILLE — Missouri quarterback Drew Lock has made big strides this season under coordinator Josh Heupel after a rugged first year as a starter in 2015. Lock completed 49 percent of his passes (129 of 263) in 12 games last season for 1,332 yards, and he threw twice as many interceptions (8) as touchdown passes (4).
Lock, a 6-4, 220-pounder from Lee’s Summit (Mo.) High, was thrown into the fray as a true freshman after Maty Mauk’s suspension and ultimate dismissal. In the season finale in a cold rain at Arkansas, Lock was 9 of 27 for 83 yards and he was picked off by safety Josh Liddell.
Lock got off to a roaring start this season, with 1,508 passing yards and 14 touchdowns through four games, a robust average of 377 yards per game. Most of that damage was done against Eastern Michigan and Delaware State, but he also ripped Georgia for 376 yards and three touchdowns.
After a two-game lull in which he passed for 167 yards against LSU and 39 yards against Florida, with no touchdowns, 38 percent completions and three interceptions, Lock has rebounded.
He has passed for 1,417 yards and 8 touchdowns in the last five games.
“A lot of their passing game early on was RPO [run-pass option] stuff,” Arkansas defensive coordinator Robb Smith said. “I think people have done some things to take away the RPO and that’s maybe why some of the rush numbers have gone up. … It’s going to be on us to get the right amount of people in the box and stop the run, but still put guys in great position to defend the perimeter pass game as well.”