Smith to miss Miami of Ohio game with broken fibula

The sophomore defensive end leads the team in sacks and tackles for loss.

By John Montesantos

Published Sept. 21, 2010

Missouri football improved to 3-0 Saturday in a last minute, come-from-behind win over visiting San Diego State. The Tiger defense made one final stand to get the offense the ball back with less than two minutes to play.

In the act of forcing that three-and-out, redshirt sophomore defensive end Aldon Smith fractured his fibula in the last defensive series of the game. He will miss this week’s game with Miami of Ohio but hopes to return for Colorado on Oct. 9.

Coach Gary Pinkel and the team’s medical personnel see it as a 1 to 2 week injury at most.

“Most athletes give it about a week or two rest and then they can play without any complications at all,” Pinkel said. “Hopefully he’ll fall into that pattern.”

Pinkel added that the fibula is non-weight-bearing, which is essential for his speedy return to the depth chart.

Smith was very light-hearted about the situation, joking that the injury was just a “bad cramp” and his cast was just a “decoration.” He spoke of how he has dealt with injuries in the past and how he plans to get back in practice as soon as possible.

“I toughed it out,” Smith said. “Played through it. We’ll see how fast it heals up, whatever is wrong with it. I’ll put some ice on it and I’ll go out there and play.”

Last year’s Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year has emerged as Missouri’s defensive leader in the first three weeks of the season. He leads the defense with three sacks and four tackles for loss and is also third on the team with 15 tackles.

Pinkel showed the same stoic confidence that he did after the loss of tailback Derrick Washington, employing his famous “move ‘em over, move ‘em up” approach to the depth chart.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s Aldon, it doesn’t matter if it’s your quarterback, it doesn’t matter if it’s the best player,” Pinkel said. “We don’t have excuses around here. We understand that when one guy is not going to play, then someone else has a responsibility and an opportunity.”

Sophomore Brad Madison and freshman Michael Sam will fill the big hole at the defensive end position. Though they’re listed as backups, they both have received playing time in Missouri’s four defensive-end sets.

“They’re given a great opportunity,” senior cornerback Carl Gettis said. “They’ve all been coming in and making plays in our four defensive-end package. But now one of them gets to step in and fill that starting role. It’s a bigger role for them.”

Madison and Sam have each recorded a sack and forced a fumble in limited time this year. They are the top contenders for the week four starting job opposite junior weak side defensive end Jacquies Smith. Sophomore Marcus Malbrough should also see some time at the position.

“That’s definitely a position we got a lot of depth at,” senior linebacker Andrew Gachkar said. “Obviously the team is going to miss Aldon. But with him out, it gives Brad, Michael Sam, Marcus good playing time. They can definitely fill in his shoes and they can do pretty well.”

The unbeaten Tigers will take on Miami of Ohio at 1 p.m. Saturday at home.