Josey well-rested after big game for Missouri football team

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Henry Josey watched the second half of last week's rout over Western Illinois from the sideline, costing him a shot at Missouri's single-game rushing record.

The sophomore tailback happily settled for 263 yards on only 14 carries Saturday night. And he's got fresh legs for top-ranked Oklahoma.

The Tigers will be counting on the lone healthy component of their three-man job share to shoulder as much of the load as possible. Missouri coach Gary Pinkel has been wary of overexposing the 190-pound Josey, who has 400 yards in the first three games but is averaging fewer than 10 carries per game.

"He's a strong guy and he can run tough," Pinkel said. "Real good running backs don't take a lot of hits, either. They know how to stay out of trouble. But we've got to watch that, though. There's no question about it."

Given the chance, Josey believes he can be an every-down back, noting that he's had a knack for avoiding direct hits. He's hoping Pinkel just was saving him for the Big 12.

"My running style helps a lot, knowing when to get down and be smart," Josey said. "You take that big blow, you could be done for a while."

Pinkel also didn't want Devin West's school record of 319 yards rushing against Kansas in 1998 falling against a lower division school, noting on his weekly radio show Monday that even during games he's aware of statistical endeavors that could have meaning.

Josey leads the Big 12 and is sixth in the nation in rushing, averaging 13.3 yards per carry and 133 yards per game.

Missouri quarterback James Franklin has a lot more carries, but he has just 157 yards on 47 attempts for a 3.3-yard average.

"They lost a couple guys, but their running back's pretty good," Oklahoma safety Tony Jefferson said. "He's a quick, speedy guy. Kind of shifty. But I feel like they're more focused on the quarterback running the ball and getting those passes out -- little, quick passes out and stretching the field."

Even with Josey shut down, Missouri (2-1) set a school record with 744 yards and tied the scoring mark in Saturday's 69-0 victory.

Josey, a sophomore from Angleton, Texas, averaged 18.8 yards per carry in the best college performance this year through games of Sept. 17, and the fourth best in school history, trailing only West, Brad Smith (291 in 2003) and Tony Temple (281 in 2008).