Coach Gary Pinkel was cheery after practice one week ago.

“No opening statement today. I know you just can’t wait,” Pinkel said. “The anticipation kills you - how profound they all are.”

But with the opener against Illinois two weeks away, his levity had vanished after Saturday’s scrimmage at Faurot Field. His opening statement was honest and firm after a performance riddled with errors.

“I thought it was OK. I was kind of disappointed. I told our football team, ‘We got to get better.’ I thought it was sloppy in a lot of ways,” Pinkel said. “Certainly there were some good things people did out there. There’s no question about that. But I think overall, we got a lot of work to do if we want to be ready for this first football game, and obviously that’s my job to get it done.”

The day’s highlights included a 57-yard touchdown from Chase Daniel to Jeremy Maclin. Daniel lofted the throw off his back foot, but Maclin adjusted and then raced to the end zone. With a leaping 29-yard grab, former DeSmet wide receiver Wes Kemp earned applause from the crowd made up of the team’s family and friends.

But errors in execution irked Pinkel. In a red-zone sequence starting at the 20-yard line, the No. 1 offense advanced to the 5 against the No. 2 defense. But a false start forced the Tigers to the 10. Too many balls rolled on the ground from fumbles and bad snaps. The first major skirmish of camp broke out in the end zone between Elvis Fisher, the newly minted starting left tackle, and defensive lineman Dominique Hamilton.

Freshman quarterback Blaine Gabbert returned from his minor shoulder strain. Pinkel ducked the popular question about the freshman’s role this season.

“Until we get to game week, everyone’s still competing,” Pinkel said. “How that comes out, I don’t know. We’ll wait and see.”

Several players suffered injuries. Jared Perry had a minor shoulder dislocation. Pinkel said Perry had an X-ray and his shoulder is OK. Perry should only miss a couple of days, he said.

Defensive lineman Brian Coulter reinjured his ankle. Pinkel said the X-ray was fine, but Coulter would get an MRI to see if there was any damage.

The Tigers do not practice tomorrow.

Here are stats provided by the MU athletic department:

Scoring Plays

Gissinger 33 yard pass from Patton (Wolfert Kick)

Maclin 57 yard pass from Daniel (Wolfert Kick)

Scott 6 yard run (Wolfert Kick)

Passing

Daniel: 10 for 14, 162 yards, 1 TD (long: 57)

Patton: 8 for 17, 85 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT (long: 33)

Costello: 6 for 7, 36 yards, 1 INT (long: 11)

Gabbert: 11 for 19, 55 yards (long: 14)

Roweton: 3 for 5, 38 yards (long: 49)

Rushing

Washington: 10 carries for 52 yards, (long: 26)

J. Jackson: 6 for 17, (13)

Reece: 4 for 1, (2)

Scott: 3 for 18, (8), 1 TD

Moore: 3 for -1, (2)

Gabbert: 3 for -5, (1)

Jones: 2 for 6, (3)

Perry: 1 for 16

Costello: 1 for 7

Thomas: 1 for 6

Roweton: 1 for 2

Maclin: 1 for 2

Patton: 1 for -2

Totals: 37 rushes for 119 yards, 3.2 yds, 1 TD

Receiving

Brinkley: 6 for 25, (long: 6)

Maclin: 5 for 96, (57), 1 TD

Egnew: 3 for 30, (19)

McGaffie: 3 for 18, (8)

Shock: 3 for 18, (7)

Kemp: 2 for 51, (29)

Gissinger: 2 for 34, (33), 1 TD

Washington: 2 for 29, (23)

May: 2 for 21, (11)

Perry: 2 for 19, (13)

Goldsmith: 2 for 9, (6)

Medley: 2 for 5, (6)

Jer. Jackson: 1 for 14

Scott: 1 for 2

Gerau: 1 for -2

Totals: 38 receptions for 376 yards, 19.7 avg., 2 TDs

Punting

Harry: 8 for 322 yards, 40.3 avg, (long: 45)

Ressel: 7 for 257, 36.7, (48)