Tigers look to extend record at home

By Ryan Huber

Published Oct. 27, 2006

With nothing but sun in the forecast for Saturday's 11:10 a.m. kickoff, the 7-1 Tigers look to continue their good fortunes against No. 19 Oklahoma (5-2, 2-1 Big 12). But, Missouri will be without its defensive cornerstone, senior defensive end Brian Smith, who suffered a broken hip in a non-contact play last weekend against the Wildcats.

"It's a big loss," defensive lineman Ziggy Hood said Monday. "He has a lot of heart that he brought to the defense."

But the man stepping in for Smith actually has more tackles this season with 35, compared to Smith's 30. Sophomore Stryker Sulak will get to start Saturday and the defense, even with the new addition, seems poised to continue where it left off.

"I think Stryker will be perfectly fine," Hood said. "He's a playmaker and is going to get a chance to make a lot more plays now that he is starting. Once we [the defensive line] show we are having fun up front, the rest of the defense will follow."

Fans will be decked out in "Gold Rush" T-shirts for the nationally televised game on ABC. Forty percent of ABC's stations in the country will show the game as Faurot Field will play host to the only game this week between two ranked teams. This is the largest stage for the Tigers this season because much of the country is on the coverage map.

"We're certainly excited about being in this position. You work very hard for this," coach Gary Pinkel said. "Obviously, we want to play well, and we're going to have to play well. It will be a great challenge for our football team."

Challenges like the continuous rainfall against Kansas State couldn't stop the offensive potency of the Tigers. Sophomore quarterback Chase Daniel put together another solid performance from the first quarter on, completing every pass he attempted in the second and third quarters for an overall 77 percent.

"We have to try and get some pressure to him," Sooner coach Bob Stoops said. "He does a good job of not taking sacks and getting rid of the football before you get to him. Hopefully we can hurry him at different times and try and make him release it before he wants to."

The running game might also be more prevalent this Saturday, especially after running back Tony Temple's 6.9 yards-per-carry performance last week.

"He's been a lot more patient with his runs, and everything is working out for him," Daniel said. "When he's running the ball we are at our best ... It really sets up our pass [game] well."

The Sooners, even with the loss of star running back Adrian Peterson, managed their offensive attack this season without too much of a barrier. Allen Patrick is the main replacement at tailback, and senior quarterback Paul Thompson has gone to his favorite receiver Malcolm Kelly more and more each week.

"These guys have had some bigger cornerbacks so there are going to be some good match-ups on the outside," Thompson said on Monday. "They'll be one of the better teams that we play this year, and I'm looking forward to it, especially on the road."

The Sooners' visit to Columbia marks just their third game away from Norman, Okla. They have yet to win on the road this season, but their two losses come against teams with high pedigrees: national champion Texas and runner-up USC.

"Anytime you come into Columbia and play at Faurot Field, you never know what to expect," Hood said. "We bring something new to the game every time, whether it's on the field or in the crowd. We are just going to have Missouri football, if we get into Oklahoma football, they are going to eventually beat us, and we can't have that."