Nov. 29, 2004

Columbia, Mo. - University of Missouri junior quarterback Brad Smith was named the Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Week for leading Mizzou to a 17-14 overtime win at Iowa State on Saturday, as announced today by the league office.

Smith helped guide the underdog Tigers to a thrilling win in the 2004 season finale, as he tallied 251 yards of total offense on the day, including a season-best 101 yards rushing. He also completed 13-of-24 passes on a cold and blustery day in Ames for 150 yards, and ran for a 36-yard TD in the 3rd quarter of the Tiger victory.

Smith also made a huge play defensively when he helped tackle ISU's Steve Paris late in the 4th quarter that saved a potential game-winning TD. Paris picked up a ball caught by MU's Thomson Omboga that was ruled a fumble by officials, and raced down the sideline on the way to an apparent tie-breaking score, before Smith saved a TD by helping haul him down on the Mizzou 15 yardline. Iowa State would eventually miss a short field goal with just over a minute left and the Tigers would win on a field goal of their own in overtime to prevent the Cyclones an appearance in this weekend's Big 12 Championship Game.