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'Joker' defensive end key in Mizzou defense's versatility

Related Topics: Corey Batoon, Eliah Drinkwitz

COLUMBIA, Mo. — In Missouri’s weekend victory over Buffalo, defensive ends Johnny Walker Jr. and Joe Moore III played the role of the villain.

To the Tigers’ home crowd, of course, they were protagonists. But ask anyone in the Bulls backfield and you’re unlikely to hear the word “hero” in reference to either.

With four quarterback hurries, two tackles for a loss and one sack between them, Walker and Moore caused plenty of chaos.

They’re the jokers, after all, that’s a position befitting a villain.

“Joker” is a new name for Mizzou’s boundary defensive end position, a moniker that arrived over the offseason with new defensive coordinator Corey Batoon.