MU corrects past mistakes

Saturday’s win brought redemption for Missouri.

Last season, questionable calls by the officials and critical mistakes, particularly involving quarterback Brad Smith, hurt the Tigers in their loss at Colorado.

In that 21-16 loss, Smith threw for a season-high 278 yards and two touchdowns, but two fumbles and two interceptions at crucial moments marred his impressive effort. Not only was it an important conference loss, but also came when the Tigers were ranked No. 22.

Saturday’s game resembled last year’s close loss, except this year Missouri overcame difficult calls and finished strong for the 17-9 win.

Last season, Smith’s first fumble came on a disputed call when he tried to stretch the ball across the goal line late in the second quarter. Replays showed the referees might have made a mistake, for it appeared that the ground caused the fumble after the ball crossed the goal line.

Almost as important as that lost touchdown was Smith’s second interception, which he threw on fourth-and-17 in the fourth quarter.

Saturday’s game included a potentially decisive error when Smith fumbled with 10:22 left in the fourth quarter. Colorado safety J.J. Billingsley hit Smith as he ran up the middle, forcing a fumble that Buffalo defensive lineman Alex Ligon recovered.

“(Billingsley) made a great hit,” Smith said. “I spun right into him and he just made a great hit.”

This time, though, Missouri got a favorable call from the officials that changed the game.

The ensuing Colorado drive ended on a pass from quarterback Joel Klatt to wide receiver Evan Judge that was ruled an interception by cornerback Shirdonya Mitchell in the corner of the end zone. The replay showed Judge with possession, but Mitchell ripped the ball out of his hands as the two fell and the official ruled it an interception.

Smith took advantage of the opportunity to redeem himself two drives later as Missouri ran down the clock by running on every play late in the fourth quarter. Smith took better care of the ball, running for a 5-yard quarterback sneak on third and one and an 8-yard run up the middle for Missouri’s next first down.

Tailback Damien Nash, who had 102 yards and a touchdown Saturday, also kept that final drive alive, rushing for 25 yards.

“We put it all on the (offensive) line and they just pushed the guys back,” Smith said. “When you can lean forward and get five yards on a quarterback sneak, then they’re moving somebody.”

Both defenses were stifling in the second half Saturday in what was expected to be a high-scoring game. Before Saturday, the Buffaloes had allowed more than 300 yards passing in their first three games, and both teams were scoring more than 30 points per game.

Smith was held for under 200 yards passing for the first time this year, but Missouri was effective on the ground, running 55 times for 228 yards.

After seven penalties in the first half, the Tigers committed none in the second and won the turnover battle with three interceptions. Smith’s fumble was the Tigers’ only turnover.

Smith said the main difference he sees in this year’s team is the more aggressive attitude at critical points of the game.

“I think guys step up,” Smith said. “We see situations, certain situations last year that we were in. We didn’t really understand how to handle them. As you mature as a team you learn how to handle situations and that was important for us.”