COLUMBIA, Mo. • It’s a big week for longtime Missouri running backs coach Brian Jones. His alma mater’s coming to town as No. 22 Mizzou (2-0) hosts Connecticut (2-0) on Saturday and, more important, his position group is under scrutiny unlike any other on the team.
After trying to play Saturday at Arkansas State on a sprained right ankle, starting tailback Russell Hansbrough will sit out against the Huskies, MU coach Gary Pinkel said Monday. Hansbrough, a 1,084-yard rusher last season and MU’s most indispensible offensive player, carried the ball five times for 15 yards before the medical staff pulled him for good in Mizzou’s 27-20 win.