Tigers now look to win Big 12 North
Published Nov. 3, 2006
The Tigers and the Nebraska Cornhuskers have emerged as the two frontrunners in the Big 12 North title race, with each holding a 3-2 conference record. Kansas State is within a game of the two rivals, and because both teams beat the Wildcats already, this week's nationally televised 11:10 a.m. kickoff in Lincoln, Neb., should prove to be the unofficial Big 12 North title game.
Sophomore quarterback Chase Daniel is coming off a career game where he accounted for all but one yard of Missouri's total offense. He completed 23 of his 44 passes for 284 yards and gained 75 net yards rushing on 20 carries.
But the running game never got started for Tony Temple and Earl Goldsmith, who combined for a turnover and a grand total of one rushing yard on seven carries (all coming in the first half). As a result, Temple, who suffered a sprained shoulder against the Sooners, has been moved to the second spot on the depth charts, and Goldsmith will start this Saturday.
"That's mostly because of the fumbling situation," coach Gary Pinkel said. "(Tony) will earn it back. I remember (Minnesota Vikings running back) Chester Taylor, at Toledo University, when I moved him down once as a last resort. He worked hard because he is a competitor, and he ended up doing OK. I expect Tony to do the same thing."
Road victories haven't been hard to come by for the Tigers at 2-1, but winning in Lincoln has. The last time MU won at Nebraska, Pinkel was just two years out of graduate school — 1978.
"Certainly, this is a great opportunity for us and a great challenge, so we're looking forward to it," Pinkel said.
The Tigers have notched a combined 37 first-half points in their two road victories this season, while holding their opponents to seven opening-quarter points and 21 points in the first half.
"This game definitely has implications, we're well aware of that," Nebraska coach Bill Callahan said. "We're going to have to prepare as well as we ever have this week. It's going to go back to how hard we work, how hard we study, and then, of course, how well we perform on Saturday morning."
Nebraska's all-time passing and completion record holder quarterback Zac Taylor has continued his four-year tear this season, picking apart opponents for an average of 229 passing yards a game.
Husker running backs Brandon Jackson and Marlon Lucky have combined for more than 100-yard averages each game and could prove to be a dagger in MU's side this weekend.
The Tigers' run defense has been less than stellar, surrendering at least 100 yards to every conference opponent but Texas Tech.
"That's definitely going to a big emphasis in practice for the rest of the season," linebacker Dedrick Harrington said.
This will be the biggest game so far for the Tigers as they look to take the crowd out of the game early and keep them out with key plays and limited turnovers.
"We're 7-2, and we're 7-2 for a reason," Daniel said. "We put ourselves in a good position earlier in the year to go in there [Nebraska], and it's a title game, pretty much."
