PAGE 62E AUGUST,1996
KUED·SPORTS
LAWRENCE JOURNAL-WORLD
Time is now for Mizzou, Smith says
KU tied for oldest stadium
Kansas' Memorial Stadium has been around for awhile — since 1921, in fact.
The Jayhawks moved into Memorial Stadium on Oct. 3, 1921, with a 21-7 victory over intrastate rival
Kansas State in front of 5,160 fans. When the stadium opened,the capacity was 22,000.
KU's stadium ties Stanford Stadium and Tennessee's Neyland Stadium as the oldest in the U.S.
BY ANDREW HARTSOCK
JOURNAL-WORLD SPORTS WRITER
Missouri has come to a football crossroads.
At least, third-year coach Larry Smith thinks so.
"I look at the season coming up as an important season for us," Smith said. "This is our third year here. We've got our players we brought in in key spots. I think we can look forward to some benefits of the first year or two."
Eleven offensive and seven defensive starters return to a team that
team that went 3-8 last season but was picked 12th media poll.
"I didn't know we were picked last," Smith said. "Who picked us last? We have a lot of pride. That will probably help us."
The Tigers rotated quarterbacks a year ago by necessity Smith said. Their top returning passer, Kent Skornia, threw for just 230 yards. Their top returning receiver, running back Brock Olivo, had just 101 receiving yards.
"Offensively, we struggled a year ago because we were so doggone young," Smith said. "Our talent is geared more toward a running game than a passing game. I don't think we're going to line up with the other 11 teams in the Big 12 and just knock them off the ball. But we're beginning to get more balance in our running game."
Olivo led Mizzou rushers with 985 yards and six TDs last season.
"He's everything you want," Smith said. "He's the person you want when you're trying to climb the ladder."
Mizzou's defensive strength, Smith said, is its secondary with corners Shad Criss and Clayton Baker and safety DeMontie Cross.
"This is the best secondary
SELLING TREASURES?
I've coached," Smith said. "And our defense, in general, is solid. Defensive line is a question mark. But this is the third year in a row we've played the same defense at Missouri. The players all know what they're doing."
"This is that kind of a season, that kind of a team, where a play or a game could make the difference," he said. "I don't think we're going to take a step backward. I want us to take a step forward.
Though Smith bristled at the preseason media poll snub, he wouldn't wager a prediction.
"I don't see where it's any tougher than it was in the Big Eight. We're playing Texas and Baylor. Everybody else is the same. We still have to climb out of where we are and get to the middle. Then we go from the middle to the top."
Missouri will play host to Kansas on Nov.23. KU beat the Tigers, 42-23, last fall in Lawrence.
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