Columbia, Mo. ? As far as Missouri coach Gary Pinkel is concerned, the reason Tony Temple is no longer the starting running back is simple.

“You’re not allowed to fumble,” Pinkel said. “What can I say? I don’t want to be cold. You’re not allowed to fumble.”

Temple has gained 662 yards for the Tigers (7-2, 3-2 Big 12) this season. But his fumble in Saturday’s 26-10 loss to then-19th-ranked Oklahoma was costly.

Now, sophomore Earl Goldsmith, who has gained 102 yards on 23 carries as a backup, will start Saturday when the Tigers travel to Nebraska (6-3, 3-2). Both teams fell out of the top 25 with losses last week.

Temple’s shoulder injury suffered against the Sooners was the reason he was given by coaches for the depth chart change.

“I just know they said because my shoulder was out, they’re going to move Earl up,” Temple, visibly upset, said Monday.