Tigers Close Memorable Season with Win

Coach Gary Pinkel now has a twelve-win season at Mizzou under his belt. Tony Temple is now the top rusher in Cotton Bowl history with 281 yards, plus he also obtained the game record for most touchdowns with four. And the hardware for this bowl is enroute to a case in Columbia, Missouri, where new football trophies had been scarce until the Pinkel era was established.
The 38-7 trouncing of neighbor, Arkansas, was just one of several things to remember about in this true comeback season for Mizzou football. The team was ranked number one in the nation at one point, which was a first in ages. Quarterback Chase Daniels was an Heisman finalist. The border battle with the hated Kansas Jayhawks, another Cinderella, was exciting until the end, as Missouri still pulled out the win against their heated rivals. The Tigers also made it to their first Big 12 Championship game, although they did fall to the one team they couldn't master this year, the Oklahoma Sooners. Also, today's win against Arkansas did allow Mizzou to avenge a 27-14 loss to the Razorbacks in the 2003 Independence Bowl. Missouri now leads the series with Arkansas three games to two, ironic as it is for universities from two border states to have only have had their fifth meeting on the gridiron at this point in college football history.
In a state where its two NFL teams combined for just seven wins this season, the Tigers truly gave the diehard football fans something to celebrate. This long-time floundering program should give all fans a reason to be optimistic. If Mizzou can get the right people into their program to help them get out of their rut, then any program can. Missouri had literally hit rock bottom, and was still trying to dig deeper. None of the true, in-state talent wanted to go there to play. Previous coach, Larry Smith, had a few bright moments in his tenure, but current coach, Gary Pinkel is the one who really led this turnaround. He has made the program attractive for today's top football athletes, and several on this year's squad are in fact in-state talent. This truly allows the state of Missouri to feel more ownership in this return to greatness. It is their boys who are having this success. As a fan, I thank Coach Pinkel. He deserved every drop of that Gatorade dousing today. I wish him well in the future seasons. May this year be built upon. Congratulations to the 2008 Cotton Bowl Champion Missouri Tigers! Go Mizzou!