Columbia, Mo. ? The “comedy of errors” that plagued Missouri in a 40-34 victory over Illinois included one highly noticed flub of his own, coach Gary Pinkel now admits.

Two days after defending his decision to try a two-point conversion after taking a 13-6 lead in the second quarter of Saturday’s game, Pinkel said Monday on his weekly coach’s show that the decision was a mistake.

“An error was made. That’s the truth,” he said during the broadcast. “That’s inexcusable. That could have cost us the game.”

The conversion in question came after Cornelius “Pig” Brown’s 100-yard fumble return for a touchdown put Missouri ahead by seven. The Tigers called for a direct snap to wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, who ran to his right and was tackled well short of the goal line.

Asked about it after the game, Pinkel stood by the call, saying it was what the conversion chart called for in that situation.

Pinkel said he gave the decision more thought after the news conference and discussed the call with his assistant coaches on the bus ride home from St. Louis.