COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Missouri quarterback Brad Smith is learning
he can't do it all.
Although Smith has flourished in the Tigers' no-huddle, spread
offense, ranking fifth in the nation in total offense, he has
committed six turnovers in four games.
"I have a lot of confidence in what I can do and sometimes
things are less opportunistic than they really are," Smith said.
The Tigers will face Oklahoma State on Saturday, with kickoff
set for 1:05 p.m.
In Saturday's 51-20 loss to Texas, Smith committed three
turnovers, one interception and two fumbles in the first half. All
three led to Longhorn touchdowns. It was the first time in Smith's
career he lost two fumbles in one game.
Smith has lost three fumbles so far this season. In his previous
three seasons as quarterback, Smith lost a total of four fumbles.
Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said the problem is not the offense
but Smith's decision making.
"Things happen fast, and when they happen that fast you've got
to protect the ball," Pinkel said. "Brad likes to make plays all
the time but there's a certain point where you can't make a play
and you have to eat it. He doesn't like doing that."
Pinkel said Saturday's mistakes weren't solely Smith's fault.
The quarterback was hit when he threw the interception. One
fumble came after a defender got through the offensive line
untouched.
"Ultimately, he's got the ball and got to deal with it,
though," Pinkel said.
The Tigers (2-2) have the 11th highest-ranked offense in the
nation, but they have committed nine turnovers and rank 99th in
turnover margin.
Missouri's opponents have scored 42 points off the nine
turnovers.
"We can't have fumbles. Fumbles kill drives and kill the
game," tailback Marcus Woods said.
In previous seasons, Pinkel has taken pride in coaching teams
that take care of the football. Missouri's 12 turnovers in 2002 and
13 turnovers in 2003 were the fewest among teams in the Big 12
Conference.
Tailback Tony Temple said turnovers ought to be expected when
using the type of offense Missouri uses. "It's a high risk, but
it's a high reward as well," Temple said.
Pinkel also acknowledged that Missouri's offense is a work in
progress.
"This is the fourth game with our no-huddle offense, and we're
still in the development process," Pinkel said. "We know we run
Bad Smith a good bit, and we would like to get our tailbacks more
touches."
Smith has 79 rushing attempts this season, while Woods and
Temple have 68 rushing attempts combined.
Whatever the situation, backup quarterback Chase Daniel is
confident Smith will rebound.
"That's not normal Brad for you. He's very good at protecting
the ball," Daniel said. "I don't think it's anything to be
worried about or anything to fret about. He's a great quarterback,
and he'll come back from it."