Oct. 27, 2003

Dallas, Texas - From the no-brainer category, University of Missouri sophomore quarterback Brad Smith has been named Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Week for games of Oct. 25 in voting by a select panel of media, as announced today by the league office.

The Mizzou QB guided the Tigers to a 62-31 victory over Texas Tech and helped the team become bowl eligible at 6-2 overall for the first time since 1998. Smith had a personal-best 419 yards of total offense and broke the school record by rushing for five TDs against the Red Raiders. His rushing total of 291 yards was a record by a Big 12 quarterback, and his total offense was the second best in school history behind only Jeff Handy's 491 yards against Oklahoma State in 1992. Smith, who carried 19 times, set a Big 12 mark with a 15.3 average per rush, and his rushing total was the highest single-game output in the NCAA this season. He led MU to its highest point total since 1969 and the second-most in school history (modern era) behind a 69-21 win at Kansas 34 years ago in '69. He also was 13-for-24 passing for 128 yards without an interception.

Smith has also earned several national mentions already for his play Saturday. Smith was named national player of the week by CNNSI.com and The Sporting News, among others, and is one of five up for a similar award with the online version of USA Today. Mizzou fans can help Smith win the award by pointing their browser to the following link...

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2003-10-26-player-of-the-week_x.htm