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COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Freshman Drew Lock has won the backup quarterback job at Missouri.
Coach Gary Pinkel said Monday that the 6-foot-4, 205-pound Lock outplayed Eddie Printz and Marvin Zanders in fall camp. Lock was a top recruit out of Lee's Summit, Missouri.
"I think both Marvin and Eddie did really well, but at the end of the day Drew did better," Pinkel said. "He deserved that spot and I'm pretty sure he's pretty excited about it."
Junior Maty Mauk is the starter. As in past years, Pinkel said he'll try to give the backup quarterback spot duty throughout the season.
"Many times I've done that," Pinkel said. "First of all, a player has to earn that."
Pinkel said Lock's ability to handle pressure helped separate him from the competition.
"He's an extremely accurate thrower — I mean really accurate," Pinkel said. "He's got a lot of poise and a lot of intangibles."
Sophomore Alec Abein outplayed senior Taylor Chappell to win the starting spot at left guard.
"It's all based on competition, it's not based on how much experience you have," Pinkel said.
Pinkel also said safety Cortland Browning (hamstring) and wide receiver Wesley Leftwich (knee) will miss the opener with injuries. Pinkel anticipated both players would return soon, probably in a week or two. Pinkel also said freshman wide receiver Johnathan Johnson would miss the season with an ankle injury that required surgery.
Browning is a redshirt freshman, and Leftwich, a senior, has the most experience at wide receiver.
The 24th-ranked Tigers, coming off consecutive SEC East titles, play Southeast Missouri State on Saturday.
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