Columbia, Mo. ? Missouri’s football coach didn’t mince words or tiptoe around his analysis of his team’s Saturday-morning scrimmage. There were flags, turnovers, fights between personnel and a general lack of focus.

In short, he was not pleased.

“I told my football team that we got to get better,” coach Gary Pinkel said. “I thought it was sloppy in a lot of ways, and we got a lot of work to do to get ready for this first game.”

While he was pleased with some aspects of the practice, Pinkel expressed an overall “disappointment” in his team’s second scrimmage of fall camp. Players themselves harped on a lack of intensity on both sides of the ball.

The scrimmage, which pitted the offense (black) versus the defense (white) was a tight one, ending in a 37-34 win for the black team. However. the narrow margin of victory for the black team was less of a testament to the performance of the teams and more a signal this Missouri team feels it has quite a bit to do before the Aug. 30 opener against the Illinois.

“We had way too many turnovers,” tailback Derrick Washington said. “We like to move the ball fast, and we just put the ball on the ground too many times.”

The Tigers’ effective play in 2007 stemmed from concentration and discipline, ranking 11th and 23rd in the country in turnover margin and penalties, respectively. Offensive coordinator Dave Christensen chalked it up to guys taking responsibility for not only the football but for their actions on the field.

“I was disappointed in their performance, but we have to get back to work,” Christensen said. “Guys have to be accountable for their play, and we need to improve every single day up until the Illinois game.”

Washington, a sophomore, rushed 10 times for 52 yards and caught two passes 29 yards in the scrimmage. His numbers aside, he emphasized a need for a sense of urgency.

The Tigers, who finished 12-2 and finished at No. 4 in the final AP rankings in 2007, start this season ranked No. 6 in the preseason polls. They also take the field in just 14 days. Practice habits are going to have to turn sooner rather than later for the Tigers.

“Monday has to be our best practice of the year,” junior linebacker Sean Weatherspoon. “We got to grind it out because in two weeks, the game is going to be here.”

Junior wide receiver Jared Perry suffered a mild dislocation of his shoulder during Saturday’s scrimmage but shouldn’t be out for more than a couple of days according to Pinkel.