Walk-on provides boost in kicking game

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- After a rough start that brought back memories of Missouri's infamous past on special teams, the Tigers' kicking game has gotten a boost from walk-on Mike Matheny.

An unexpected replacement for Brad Hammerich, who was a Lou Groza Award semifinalist in 2001, Matheny -- a Columbia native -- kicked three field goals in Missouri's 44-7 win over Troy State last weekend.

Those were the Tigers' first field goals of the year, which got started with freshman Alex Pettersen missing two field goals and an extra-point attempt against Illinois in the team's season opener. He was dropped for Matheny, who missed a 42-yarder and an extra point against Ball State in his debut.

After the game, Matheny sensed the discomfort growing among Missouri fans.

"People I knew in the stands would be saying, 'Oh, here comes the kicking unit again,"' Matheny said. "It took us four whole games to make a field goal, so I understand how people would pounce on it."

There also was tangible evidence that Missouri's coaching staff was just as worried. In this season's first three games, the Tigers had gone for it on fourth down nine times, converting only three.

"We've certainly struggled" in the kicking game, "and forced some maybe unsound coaching decisions," Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said. "It felt appropriate at the time."

With all the uncertainty, Matheny said the Troy State game was the time to quiet his doubters. He hit his first field goal, a 26-yarder.

Matheny went on to make field goals from 28 and 35 yards and a 35-yard PAT after Missouri was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

"Instead of it being fourth-and-2 and saying we have to take a chance with this, we have a chance to get some points, so strategically it's huge," Pinkel said.

The offense, which didn't score a touchdown during the last 24 minutes of the Troy State game, was happy to see its kicker get going.

"He's been working so hard, so it wasn't surprising to see him kicking like that," quarterback Brad Smith said. "It was good to see him go out there and do it on the field."

On Saturday, the Tigers face an Oklahoma defense that has given up four touchdowns all season, two of those in the last two minutes of the Sooners' 31-14 win against South Florida.

"It's definitely going to be tough, but I feel like I can do it," Matheny said. "As far as kicking, there's not much they can do to stop you, so it's all on me. I like the pressure; that's why I like kicking."-- Tom Wyrich

MUquarterback worries No. 3 Oklahoma, Stoops

Oklahoma's defense pressured South Florida quarterback Marquel Blackwell several times last week, only to see him slip away and buy more time before throwing the ball.

The No. 3 Sooners may face an even tougher test this week in Brad Smith.

Smith threw for 213 yards and ran for 137 yards and two touchdowns in a victory over Troy State last week. He comes into Saturday's game ranked second in the Big 12 in total offense, at 317 yards per game -- 98.5 on the ground, 219 through the air.

"What's impressive as you watch him is not just his athletic ability, but his presence and his calm demeanor as a redshirt freshman," coach Bob Stoops said Tuesday. "He plays awfully well in everything that he does -- makes good decisions, takes care of the ball, runs with it well, has a good arm."

-- AssociatedPress