Tigers' defense unable to corral opposing runners

~ Six different players have rushed for over 100 yards against Missouri in its last five games.

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Missouri defensive tackle Lorenzo Williams takes the Tigers' struggles with stopping the run personally.

Missouri (7-4, 3-4 Big 12) gave up just 43.8 yards rushing in its four non-conference games, among the best showings in the nation. Big 12 games have been another story -- conference opponents are averaging more than 160 yards rushing per game.

Williams, who as the anchor of the defensive line often has first crack at ball carriers, said he gets mad just talking about it.

"This is kind of a direct slap in my face," Williams said. "People are running the ball like its nothing."

After a 6-0 start, Missouri has lost four of five heading into the regular-season finale Saturday at home against Kansas (6-5, 3-4). The Jayhawks feature running back Jon Cornish, who leads the Big 12 in rushing with 121 yards per game. He is 111 yards shy of breaking Kansas' single-season rushing record and ran for 206 yards on 25 carries in a 39-20 win over Kansas State this past weekend, earning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors.

"He breaks tackles, he's got good vision," Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said. "That's why he's the leading rusher in this league -- he's a very talented player."

A lot of runners have looked good against Missouri. Six different players have run for more than 100 yards against the Tigers in the last five games.

Missouri's troubles began with Colorado Sept. 30. Missouri won 28-13, but Colorado quarterback Bernard Jackson ran for 93 yards and running back Hugh Charles had 87. But averaged more than six yards per carry.

Two weeks later, against Texas A&M, the Aggies used Javorskie Lane's 127 yards to help gain a 41:30-18:30 time of possession advantage in handing Missouri its first loss of the season.

In all four losses, to Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Iowa State, Missouri's opponents have held the ball for nearly 10 minutes longer than the Tigers.

Pinkel said it isn't a few big running plays hurting Missouri, it's a lot of gains of 5 yards or 6 yards that keep the opposing offense on the field -- and Tigers quarterback Chase Daniel and the Missouri offense off it.

"You've got to be able to get out of drives," Pinkel said.