Tiger running backs will see more carries

~ The offense will have a new look in the post Brad Smith era.

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- With quarterback Brad Smith gone, Missouri running backs Tony Temple and Marcus Woods know they'll carry a much larger load this season.

And that suits them just fine.

Smith graduated after setting school records for career total yards (13,088) and rushing yards (4,289). His expected replacement at quarterback, Chase Daniel, will focus more on the pass and leave most of the running to Temple and Woods, along with several inexperienced backs vying for playing time.

"I think of it more as an opportunity," Temple said after practice Tuesday morning. "The coaches want us to know that they are going to have to rely on us a lot more."

Woods, who rushed for 435 yards as a sophomore a year ago, took Temple's words a step further.

"We do see this as an opportunity, but also as our responsibility," he said. "We're really hoping to see the ball more. Brad was a great player, but he's gone now."

Health has been an issue for both backs. Woods missed last season's Independence Bowl win over South Carolina with a groin injury he suffered in the regular-season finale against Kansas State. He suffered a strained Achilles tendon in preseason workout that has limited his abilities in practice.

Temple, whose 5.4 yards per carry average led Missouri last season, was injury-free in 2005 for the first time since his junior year in high school. And the right shoulder he had surgery on in February is completely healed, he said.

Temple was Missouri's second-leading rusher behind Smith a year ago, gaining 437 yards on 81 carries and scoring three touchdowns. That came after a freshman season in 2004 in which he played in just one game and carried the ball six times for 13 yards in a 24-3 loss at Nebraska before suffering a knee injury.

Woods and Temple are both isted at No. 1 on the preseason depth chart.

Behind Temple and Woods are sophomores Jimmy Jackson and Earl Goldsmith and redshirt freshman Connell Davis.