National respect for Mizzou hurt by 5-6 finish

Sunday, March 13, 2005

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Missouri coach Gary Pinkel knows his program lost national respect last season when it lost five of its final six games.

The stretch dropped the Tigers from leaders of the Big 12 North to a 5-6 finish, well below expectations. But Pinkel said Thursday he was excited about beginning spring practice and forgetting the troubles of the 2004 season.

''Especially after having a difficult year,'' he said after a spirited 2 1/2-hour practice. ''We've been working real hard the last couple months. The players have been doing a great job, great effort, great attitude.

''I think they want to get some respect back, like I do. This is the next phase.''

Last season's problems came0after an 8-5 season and a bowl berth in 2003 created high expectations for the Tigers. They started 2-0 in the Big 12 play before losing their next five.

''We're in a little bit different situation than a year before, coming off a good season,'' quarterback Brad Smith said. ''We're kind of took a step back and now we're trying to get back to where we need to be.''

Missouri plans to use the spring to develop its offense, one target of criticism last season.

Smith, who entered 2004 as a Heisman Trophy contender, ran for a career-low 553 yards and completed only 52 percent of his passes.

Smith's development becomes particularly important because the Tigers lack a powerful running back. Missouri lost leading rusher Damien Nash, who elected to forgo his final year of eligibility to enter the NFL draft.

Nash's likely replacement at the starting running back spot, Marcus Woods, does have speed. Woods, a 5-foot-8, 185-pound sophomore, ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash this winter.

''This is the fastest football team I've ever had since I've coached,'' Pinkel said. ''We are faster than we've ever been.''

The offense, though, wasn't the only reason for Missouri's losses.

Senior safety Jason Simpson said Missouri also needs to use spring practices to improve its mental toughness. Twice during the five-game losing streak, the Tigers blew second-half leads of at least 17 points.

''I know everybody else is doing it, but we've got to do something extra,'' Simpson said. ''In different areas last season, if we would have had great leadership and cohesiveness, we wouldn't have fallen apart like that in the fourth quarter.''

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