Mizzou hoping to pass Trojan test Thursday

By Michael Petre

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- With an evolving offensive attack, one point of emphasis for No. 19 Missouri appears answered, at least for now.

The coaching staff, which wants to expand the passing game this season, saw positive results in the Tigers' season-opening 52-20 win against Arkansas State on Saturday.

Quarterback Brad Smith, considered a Heisman contender primarily for his running ability, racked up 233 yards on 14-of-22 passing. He threw three touchdowns, tying a career high, to just one interception.

The passing output was just the opposite of the last season, when the Tigers finished 11th in the Big 12 Conference in passing yardage. After the effort against Arkansas State, the Tigers lead the conference with a quarterback efficiency rating of 184.63.

Smith averaged 16.6 yards per completion, seven yards more per pass than he averaged last season. On Monday, Smith deflected the credit, complimenting the play of his receivers instead.

''I just thought we played well together,'' Smith said. ''That was the thing that helped us out. Sometimes, you just put the ball up there and those guys will go make plays for you.''

Wide receiver Sean Coffey was one of those guys. Coffey caught five passes for a career-high 113 yards and one touchdown. All of his catches were important-- four gave Missouri (1-0) a first down and the other was a 60-yard grab for a score in the second quarter. Coffey said the Arkansas defense, which started six freshmen, gave Missouri's receivers opportunities to make catches.

''A lot of things opened up for a lot of guys,'' Coffey said. ''Everybody stepped up and made plays. Obviously, Brad has a lot of confidence in all of his receivers. He made great throws and we just made the play for him.''

Coffey was not Smith's lone target. Tight end Victor Sesay, who lost his starting job to Martin Rucker last week, contributed well off the bench, making four catches for 80 yards and a touchdown.

Rucker had a strong collegiate debut, scoring the first touchdown of his career, a 24-yard grab in the first quarter. Rucker said having both he and Sesay on the field at the same time can change how opposing defenses approach the Tiger offense.

''When one of us starts doing good, it kind of takes the focus off the other one, so then he starts making big plays,'' Rucker said. ''When you get tight ends that can stretch the field like that, I think it opens up the offense.''

Smith also gained 72 yards on the ground, including a touchdown in the second quarter. Missouri, which has relied heavily on Smith the past two seasons, scored 52 points with Smith running the ball just six times, expanding the passing attack.

Missouri visits Troy on Thursday and will face a defense that surrendered just 177 yards of total offense in a 17-15 upset victory at Marshall on Saturday. The Trojans (1-0) have an experienced and athletic defensive line, including end Demarcus Ware, who recorded three of Troy's eight sacks against Marshall.

Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said he was impressed with Troy's defensive effort against the Thundering Herd.

''It's going to be a very difficult game for us,'' Pinkel said. ''To stifle (Marshall) in that way certainly says an awful lot for how good a defense they have, (especially) the defensive front.''

Coffey said little will change in the offensive game plan, even with a more challenging opponent looming.

''Everybody has the ability to make plays,'' he said. ''When we get opportunities, we just got to take advantage of them.''