OSU Prepares for Troubled Tigers

by: Staff Reporter

October 3, 2000

The Missouri Tigers are frustrated, angry and looking for a win. After three disappointing losses to #5 Clemson, Michigan State and #1 Nebraska, the Tigers are looking to get back on the winning track. However, they'll have to do it without first string quarterback Kirk Farmer who left last weekend's game against the Huskers with a broken clavicle.

"He was having a tremendous football game," Missouri coach Larry Smith said Farmer. "He's a tough young man, and he'll be back. If he'd had his way, he'd have been back out there the next play."

Freshman quarterback Darius Outlaw will start Saturday's game. Outlaw became the backup after last year's starter, Jimmie Dougherty, tore ligaments in his throwing elbow during fall practice.

The Cowboys are coming off two disastrous performances against Southern Mississippi and Texas. The Cowboys lost the two games by a combined score of 76-13. 

OSU Head Coach Bob Simmons said mistakes and not executing are the reasons for the Cowboys woeful appearances. 

 "The only thing I can do is stress those things and hope the guys understand that errors will not result in wins," Simmons said. "At the same time, try to get the right guys in there and look at what we are doing. Are we doing too much that the players can't understand what we are trying to do? And, if that is the case, then simplify things for them."

If the Cowboys don't turn things around this weekend, it could be a very long season. With games against Colorado, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Oklahoma still on the schedule, a winning season could be lost with a loss on Saturday.