Remember the name Brad Smith. He just may be the next phenom in college football. Smith, the sophomore starting quarterback for No. 21 Missouri, threw for 128 yards and ran for 291 – the second-highest total in Division I history – and five touchdowns Saturday in Missouri’s 62-31 win over Texas Tech.Though the numbers may be extraordinary, the explosive offensive performances by the Missouri quarterback have become common this season. He has led the Tigers to a 6-2 record.’He’s amazing,’ Middle Tennessee State coach Andy McCollum said after Smith combined for 328 yards of total offense and four touchdowns in Missouri’s 41-40 win over the Blue Raiders on Sept. 20. ‘He’s a real difference-maker.’After becoming only the second Division I-A player to pass for 2,000 yards and run for 1,000 in a single season as a freshman, Smith has already passed for 1,152 yards and run for 851 in his first eight games this year.’He’s the ultimate multi-dimensional guy,’ Texas Tech coach Mike Leach said. ‘There are all these guys that people claim they can run and throw, and the truth of the matter is that most of them can’t. Most of them are better at one than the other. This guy can really do both.’Though Smith had an impressive high school career as a running quarterback for Chaney High School in Youngstown, Ohio, he wasn’t recruited by any major programs because of his height – 5 feet, 11 inches.Missouri coach Gary Pinkel, then the head coach at Toledo, started recruiting Smith when he was just 16 years old. With no other major offers, Smith accepted a scholarship to Missouri after Pinkel took over the program in 2001.’I always knew he was a very good athlete,’ Pinkel said. ‘He was just undersized. We are just fortunate it worked out the way it did.’ During his redshirt season at Missouri, Smith grew three inches and bulked up to 205 pounds.’He has the God-given ability to make people miss,’ Pinkel said. ‘Sometimes, watching him from the sidelines, I just shake my head. I’m just glad he is on my team.’After Saturday’s record-breaking performance, Smith is finally starting to receive national attention. He was named Big 12 Conference Player of the Week and was given USA Today National Player of the Week honors for his effort against Texas Tech.One reason Smith has put up such impressive numbers is the simple philosophy of the Missouri coaching staff – to give Smith the ball in key situations.In the Tigers’ 41-24 upset victory over Nebraska on Oct. 11, Smith ran for three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.Nebraska coach Frank Solich said athletic quarterbacks, particularly those as talented as Smith, provide a unique challenge for tiring defenses late in games.’Everybody is searching for that kind of quarterback,’ Solich said. ‘It just adds another dimension to your offense.’Seven of Smith’s 12 rushing touchdowns this season have come in crucial situations in the fourth quarter. Pinkel said he feels extremely confident with the ball in Smith’s hands, and Smith relishes the opportunity.’I love when coaches say they’re going to put the ball in my hands,’ Smith said. ‘I love when it is up to me.’As the leader of an up-and-coming program, and with more than two years of eligibility remaining, Smith is sure to be a target of national spotlight next season and a favorite for the Heisman Trophy. His teammates believe he is ready.’He’s Superman,’ Missouri tackle Rob Droege said. ‘That’s all I can say.’

Mac AttackNorthern Illinois’s dream of an undefeated season ended Saturday when Mid-American Conference rival Bowling Green defeated the Huskies, 34-18.Led by quarterback Josh Harris’s 438 passing yards and three touchdowns, the Falcons avenged last year’s loss to Northern Illinois and took the lead in the MAC standings.’This is a great feeling.’ Harris said. ‘It’s the exact opposite of how we felt a year ago. We wanted redemption.’The matchup was the most anticipated game in the conference this season and was only the second time since 1973 that a MAC game featured two ranked teams.With Northern Illinois and Virginia Tech both losing last week, only three I-A teams remain undefeated – Miami, Oklahoma and TCU.

Teams To WatchMichigan – An early season national championship contender, the Wolverines were left for dead after losses to Oregon and Iowa.Now, after a dominating 31-3 win over Purdue last Saturday, Michigan is in a position to win the Big 10 championship if it can defeat both Michigan State and traditional rival Ohio State.Georgia – An early conference loss to LSU took the Bulldogs off the national championship radar. But behind the play of quarterback David Greene, Georgia now sits as a possible Sugar Bowl contender if either Miami or Oklahoma lose in the next several weeks.

Big Numbers20-20The score after regulation between Tennessee and Alabama. Tennessee won in five overtimes, 51-43.

135-2The return yard differential in Texas’ 56-0 win over Baylor. In a game that Baylor actually possessed the ball more than the Longhorns, this stat proves the importance of field position.

The Stuck In Neutral Heisman Rankings1. Jason White, QB, Oklahoma – It is his trophy to lose. He is the quarterback on the top team in the nation putting up impressive stats – 2,288 yards, 25 touchdowns.2. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Pittsburgh – Is there a more dominating player in the nation? Probably not. He needs a touchdown next week against Boston College to set the all-time NCAA record for consecutive games with a touchdown catch.3. B.J. Symons, QB, Texas Tech – Texas Tech lost again, but Symons still managed to throw for 408 yards and four touchdowns. He is on pace to break the NCAA yardage record, even if the Red Raiders fail to qualify for a bowl.

Say What?Texas Tech coach Mike Leach needs a little self-esteem boost after taking last Saturday’s loss to Missouri a little too personally.’We lost this game because I’m not a good enough coach to get our defensive players to believe in themselves. We lost this game because I’m not a good enough coach to get our offensive players to play in control when the other team scores a couple points, and I’m not a good enough coach to get our kickoff return team and kickoff cover team to play.’

Published on October 29, 2003 at 12:00 pm