Missouri reinstates Nash after one game

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Missouri coach Gary Pinkel on Monday reinstated tailback Damien Nash, ending a one-game suspension apparently spurred by negative comments Nash made about the team's play-calling.

Pinkel did not say if Nash, a junior who leads the team with 610 yards rushing and eight touchdowns, would be in the starting lineup Saturday when the Tigers (4-4, 2-3 Big 12) host Kansas State (3-5, 1-4).

"He'll play," Pinkel said during the Big 12 Conference's weekly media teleconference. "How much? We'll make the decision on Thursday."

Pinkel suspended Nash indefinitely two days after Missouri's 20-17 loss to Oklahoma State on Oct. 23. After that game, Kansas City Star columnist Jason Whitlock quoted Nash as being critical of the play-calling in a game in which the Tigers blew a 17-0 lead and were shut out in the second half.

Things got worse Saturday at Nebraska. The Tigers could muster only 51 yards on 35 rushing attempts in a 24-3 loss, Missouri's third straight.

Starter Marcus Woods gained 22 yards on seven carries. Freshman Tony Temple, who shed his redshirt status to play, had 13 yards on six carries and left the game with an Achilles' tendon injury early in the fourth quarter.

Pinkel said he hopes Temple, who had a soft cast on his lower, left leg Monday, will be able to play against the Wildcats.

Temple said he was feeling much better. "I'm planning on coming out there and playing this week and hopefully having an opportunity to do what I can do," he said.