Pinkel says Smith still MU?s starter
Chase Daniel?s standout effort won?t change the depth chart.
By EZEKIEL GUZA
Entering the season, many Missouri football fans were skeptical of coach Gary Pinkel?s decision not to redshirt quarterback Chase Daniel. The thought was playing Daniel in mop-up duty behind senior Brad Smith would waste a year of his eligibility.
But after Daniel?s game-saving, comeback performance in the Tigers? 27-24 overtime win against Iowa State on Saturday, that talk was probably put to rest. The discussion now becomes whether Daniel, the former EA Sports National Player of the Year whose name fans chanted as they filed out of Memorial Stadium, should see more playing time or even take over at quarterback for Brad Smith, who had a career-low 45 yards passing and was booed by some after committing two costly turnovers in the third quarter.
Pinkel squashed any speculation that Daniel earned the starting job with his performance, and said Smith seemed OK and could have re-entered the game if necessary.
?Brad Smith?s still our starting quarterback,? Pinkel said. ?Let?s not overreact. But I would suggest we?ve got a pretty good backup.?
Daniel said he is content remaining second on the depth chart, for now.
?I?m the backup quarterback, and I will be until next year,? Daniel said. ?Brad?s the guy. Brad?s the leader of the team.?
After subbing for an injured Smith with 8:51 left, Daniel sparked a lifeless offense that had failed to score the entire game. He led scoring drives from the Missouri 25- and 13-yard-lines on two consecutive series to tie the game at 24. His tying touchdown pass to Sean Coffey with 20 seconds left might have been the first time in college that he reached the endzone through the air, but Coffey said Daniel threw the pass like a pro. Daniel lofted the ball to the back of the end zone, allowing the 6-foot-5 Coffey to use his height to his advantage.
?It was a perfect pass,? Coffey said. ?He put it where only I could get it.?
Iowa State defensive tackle Nick Leaders said Daniels? ability to throw intermediate and long passes added an element to the offense that was not there under Smith, whose eight completions were all for less than 10 yards.
?We were making him (Smith) throw, which is not his strength,? Leaders said.
Daniel completed seven passes for 10 or more yards in the final two drives and was 16-of-23 for a game-high 185 yards.
?He (Daniel) really picked us apart there at the end,? Leaders said.
Not turning the ball over was just as important in Daniel?s performance and the Tiger turnaround. He made accurate throws and held onto the ball during each of his 12 carries. Smith, who has eight turnovers the season, fueled Iowa State?s 24 consecutive points with an interception and a fumble on a carry in the third quarter.
