Missouri to start freshman at QB

Brad Smith will be the first freshman since 1977 to start at quarterback for Missouri when the Tigers open the season Saturday against Illinois at St. Louis.

Coach Gary Pinkel's final preseason depth chart shows the 18-year-old Smith holding off senior Kirk Farmer for the starting quarterback job.

Smith's debut as a Missouri quarterback will be the earliest starting call since Phil Bradley started the second game of his freshman season in 1977, Missouri sports information director Chad Moller said. Bradley went on to win All-Big Eight quarterback honors as a sophomore, junior and senior.

Farmer has 14 starts, including nine last year, in three seasons. He is Missouri's ninth all-time leading passer, throwing for 2,749 yards and 25 touchdowns. The Tigers are 4-10 when Farmer has started.

Smith, a redshirt freshman from Youngstown, Ohio, has been listed as the first-team quarterback since passing Farmer midway through spring practices.

-- AP