Running backs make impression during Mizzou's scrimmage

Sophomores Woods and Temple both made big plays during Saturday's session.

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Tony Temple and Marcus Woods, sophomores who are scheduled to split time at tailback this year for Missouri, each turned in some big plays in Saturday's intrasquad scrimmage.

Temple had six carries for 101 yards and two touchdowns, including a 62-yard touchdown run in which he broke a couple of tackles and dragged a defender across the goal line.

"Obviously, he's been working very hard," Tigers coach Gary Pinkel said. "He's very explosive and can make some big plays. Certainly he made a few today, and the good thing about him is he's got such a great work ethic that I think he'll do nothing but get better."

Woods had 33 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown run, on four carries.

"I think the biggest thing we bring to the table is that we can take it to the house any play," Temple said. "Any time we touch the ball, it's a chance for a big time play."

Two other backs also had a good scrimmage Saturday. Redshirt freshman Jimmy Jackson had 50 yards on five carries, with a long gain of 28 yards, and freshman Cornell Davis broke free from multiple hits at the line to score a 9-yard touchdown.

Factor in the mobility of quarterback Brad Smith and the Tigers believe they can return to their form of two years ago, when they were the Big 12's best rushing team.

"We've got some guys who've got some quickness and can make some things happen," Pinkel said. "That's what you want. You want a back out there who can make somebody miss because you can't block everybody out there."

And no matter who starts at tailback, Temple said, he and Woods will push each other to make plays.

"If he starts the job, I'm going to finish the job," Temple said. "If I start the job, he's going to finish the job. It doesn't matter. We're just there for each other."