Columbia, Mo. ? The Missouri Tigers got a glimpse of the future and liked what they saw, but not enough to change their game plan for the remainder of the season.

Coach Gary Pinkel made it clear that Brad Smith still was the starting quarterback despite the standout performance of freshman backup Chase Daniel in rallying the Tigers from a 10-point deficit to defeat Iowa State, 27-24, Saturday.

With Smith on the bench recovering from a head injury, Daniel took over and led two scoring drives in the final nine minutes. A field goal in overtime was the margin of victory for Missouri (4-2 overall, 2-1 Big 12 Conference).

Playing just during the two fourth-quarter drives, overtime and one series in the second quarter, Daniel was 16-23 for 185 yards. He was poised in leading the final drive that began with 2:32 to play, leading the Tigers 87 yards by completing six passes for 75 yards.

His four-yard touchdown pass to Sean Coffey was high enough so only the 6-foot-5 receiver could reach it.

“It was just a perfect ball,” Coffey said.

Missouri coach Gary Pinkel liked the confidence and performance of Daniel, the Texas Class 5A two-time player of the year out of Southlake Carroll High. But it hardly was enough to bench Smith, Missouri’s all-time leader in passing, rushing and total yards.

“Nothings changed,” Pinkel said. “Brad’s our starter, and Chase is our backup.”

Pinkel said Smith had recovered from the hit to the head. His performance before the injury Saturday was perhaps his worst at Missouri, rushing for just 39 yards and passing for 45 while failing to lead the Tigers to any points (Missouri scored on two defensive touchdowns in the first quarter).

After the game, Pinkel said, “Let’s not overreact, but I would suggest we have a pretty good backup.”

Daniel came to Missouri expecting to take a red-shirt season, but he earned the backup position during the preseason. Pinkel has worked him into every game, usually for one series.

Pinkel said he would continue to give Daniel game action. How much he’ll play against Nebraska (5-1, 2-1) on Saturday wasn’t known.

“My job is to be ready to play whenever they need me to come in to play whether it be if Brad’s hurt or not,” Daniel said.

As for Smith, Daniel said he was one of the main reasons he chose Missouri.

“The tutelage under him, a living legend at Missouri, is unbelievable,” Daniel said. “What better opportunity do you get to learn under one of the best signal callers in America for a year?”

Some fans are calling for Daniel as the starter.

“I understand that’s how people are – you can do well, and people love you,” Smith said. “When you’re not doing as well, then they don’t want you anymore.”