Columbia, Mo. ? When Missouri assistant coach Craig Kuligowski was in California two years ago recruiting junior-college players, little did he know he’d find one with the odd nickname who would help revitalize the Tigers’ defense.
Cornelius “Pig” Brown saved an opening-game victory against Illinois with an interception at the goal line. In Saturday’s 41-10 win over then-No. 22 Texas Tech, Brown had 14 tackles, including 41â2 for a loss, along with an interception and two pass breakups. He was named Big 12 defensive player of the week.
“That’s what happens when you watch a lot of film,” Brown said. “I think I was getting to the ball faster than they were. A lot of that has to do with film study.”
No. 13 Missouri (6-1, 2-1 Big 12) entertains Iowa State today at Faurot Field.
Brown, a senior strong safety, has come a long way since his days at Reedley Community College, where Kuligowski found him in 2005.
“We were talking to all these coaches out there, ‘Who is your best player?”‘ Kukigowski recalled.
Reedley coach Michael White pointed to Brown, who played cornerback, safety and returned punts. He was even the fullback on the punt team. Beyond that, Brown was considered among the team’s smartest players.
In two years at junior college, Brown – called “Pig” by his mother from an early age – was named to all-state and all-conference teams. He Reedley to a No. 1 ranking for much of the 2005 season.
Arriving at Missouri in 2006, Brown made an immediate impact. Though he started 2006 as a backup, he had 18 tackles in the first four games before an ankle injury slowed him for the rest of the season.
He got off to a strong 2007. In Missouri’s 40-34 win over the Illini he returned a fumble 100 yards, then saved the game as Illinois was driving to a potential game-winning score in the final minute.
It hasn’t all been easy. Brown dropped a would-be interception that would have stopped a key Oklahoma fourth-quarter drive on Oct. 13 at Norman, Okla. The Sooners went on to score and handed Missouri its only loss, 41-31.
Coaches and teammates weren’t surprised Brown bounced back so quickly against Texas Tech, which entered the game averaging 50 points.
They cite his knowledge of the game and strong work ethic. That’s why he was elected team captain prior to the season.
“He knows how to read the three-step, five-step, reads the quarterback’s eyes,” free safety William Moore said. “We watch film outside of the facilities – we come to each others house and watch film. He teaches me things I don’t know about.”
Brown has played a key role in Missouri turning around a defense that ranked 11th in the conference through the first four games of the season. In the last three games, Missouri’s total defense ranks third in the Big 12.
