COLUMBIA, Mo. • For a sense of what now is expected of Mizzou junior quarterback Blaine Gabbert, consider that he completed 34 of 48 passes (70.8 percent) for 281 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions in Mizzou's 23-13 comeback victory over Illinois on Saturday — and had less than an excellent review by MU.

"He did not grade out at the level that really our quarterbacks and Blaine (have) graded out at many times," Mizzou offensive coordinator David Yost said. "Our goal is to have our quarterbacks grade out in the 90s on a consistent basis, and he fell a little short of that."

Not that the MU staff is picking on Gabbert, of whom MU coach Gary Pinkel said "the sky is the limit" and whom Yost praised for his second-half resilience.

It's just that their belief is he still can play much better.

"You're not going to be perfect back there," Pinkel said "We ask so much of him."

More than likely, he would have graded closer to the accustomed level if not for an early fumble and a late first-half sack.

Gabbert, from Parkway West, had the same criticisms of himself and smiled when asked about the occasionally fine line between when to fold and when to hold the pocket.

"That just comes with getting more experience week in and week out," he said.

He figures to have a dandy experience this week against McNeese State, an FCS (formerly Division I-AA) team that last week allowed 426 passing yards to Lamar, which was playing its first football game in 21 years.

MUM on suspensions

Asked why he does not directly discuss player suspensions even when it might seem to benefit the program to make discipline public, Pinkel said he always tells his players if 'something personal happens in our program" he never will discuss it publicly. He added, "My allegiance is to my players. That's it." Linebacker Will Ebner and long snapper Beau Brinkley, each recently arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, again this week are not on MU's depth chart.

Injury update

Middle linebacker Luke Lambert and free safety Jasper Simmons will miss the McNeese State game because of injuries. Lambert suffered a pulled hamstring in the Illinois game and will miss this week's game, Pinkel said, and it will be a week-to-week decision after that.

Redshirt freshman Andrew Wilson from Peculiar, Mo., the son of former Tiger Jay Wilson, will move over from strongside linebacker and make his first start. Between the season-ending injury to Donovan Bonner, the injury to Lambert and the continuing suspension of Ebner, Pinkel said, "Three of our top six linebackers are out. But you're faced with those things."

Simmons injured his knee and will have surgery today. Senior Jarrell Harrison will start in Simmons' place, and true freshman Marcus Murphy — described as "explosive" by Pinkel — will take over Simmons' kickoff-return duties.

Simmons could miss next week's game with San Diego State as well.

The team's top two tailbacks, De'Vion Moore (toe) and Kendial Lawrence (shoulder), both suffered minor injuries and are expected to be fine by Saturday.

Tiger tales

MU sophomore defensive end Aldon Smith was named Walter Camp national defensive player of the week with a career-high 10 tackles, including three for loss and two sacks. ... Mizzou's victory Saturday was its first comeback to win after being down 10 points or more at the half since the 2005 Independence Bowl. By Pinkel's reckoning, the game was indicative of a team he already believes is "much more mature than we were a year ago."