L 17–38 vs. [Oklahoma](2007-oklahoma-sooners-football-team)
(Capacity: 68,349)
Big 12 North co-champion
Cotton Bowl Classic champion
The 2007 Missouri Tigers football team represented the University of Missouri in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Gary Pinkel and played their home games at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium.
The team was led by junior quarterback Chase Daniel, a Heisman Trophy candidate who finished fourth in voting behind Tim Tebow, Darren McFadden, and Colt Brennan. In the preseason, the Tigers were picked by some to win the Big 12 North.
On November 24, Missouri won their 11th game of the season by beating their arch-rival Kansas Jayhawks 36–28, in the Border Showdown at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The victory sealed Mizzou's berth into the 2007 Big 12 Championship Game against Oklahoma.
The Tigers won over 9 games in a season for the first time since 1969, and were ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll for the first time since 1960. This ranking lead to the Tigers' first ever appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine. The Tigers also achieved their highest BCS ranking in history, at No. 1 after the Border Showdown.
After losing the Big 12 Championship game 38–17 to the Sooners, Missouri was chosen to play Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl Classic in Dallas, in which the Tigers prevailed 38–7 to complete their 12–2 season.
Five Tiger starters were named to the Associated Press All-American teams. Senior tight end Martin Rucker and freshman wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (as an all-purpose player) were named as first team selections, while junior quarterback Chase Daniel and junior safety William Moore were named to the second team. Senior center Adam Spieker was a third team selection.
The Anderson & Hester rankings listed the team as National Champions, however the school does not claim the title.
Schedule
|{{CFB schedule entry
| w/l = w
|{{CFB schedule entry
| w/l = w
|{{CFB schedule entry
| w/l = w
|{{CFB schedule entry
| w/l = w
|{{CFB schedule entry
| w/l = w
|{{CFB schedule entry
| w/l = l
|{{CFB schedule entry
| w/l = w
|{{CFB schedule entry
| w/l = w
|{{CFB schedule entry
| w/l = w
|{{CFB schedule entry
| w/l = w
|{{CFB schedule entry
| w/l = w
|{{CFB schedule entry
| w/l = w
|{{CFB schedule entry
| w/l = l
|{{CFB schedule entry
| w/l = w
Game summaries
Vs. Illinois
First quarter
ILL – Vontae Davis 2-yard blocked punt return (kick blocked), 8:38. Fighting Illini 6–0.
MIZ – Chase Coffman 1-yard pass from Chase Daniel (Jeff Wolfert kick), 5:24. ''Tigers 7–6. '''Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 3:14.'''''
Second quarter
MIZ – Cornelius Brown 100-yard fumble return (run failed), 4:55. Tigers 13–6.
MIZ – William Franklin 2-yard pass from Chase Daniel (Jeff Wolfert kick), 0:20. ''Tigers 20–6. '''Drive: 12 plays, 69 yards, 2:50.'''''
MIZ – Jeff Wolfert 27-yard field goal, 0:00. ''Tigers 23–6. '''Drive: 2 plays, 5 yards, 0:13.'''''
Third quarter
ILL – Rashard Mendenhall 25-yard run (Jason Reda kick), 12:31. ''Tigers 23–13. '''Drive: 9 plays, 79 yards, 2:29.'''''
MIZ – Jeremy Maclin 25-yard pass from Chase Daniel (Jeff Wolfert kick), 10:03. ''Tigers 30–13. '''Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 2:28.'''''
MIZ – Jeremy Maclin 66-yard punt return (Jeff Wolfert kick), 6:11. Tigers 37–13.
ILL – Eddie McGee 16-yard run (Jason Reda kick), 4:08. ''Tigers 37–20. '''Drive: 7 plays, 72 yards, 2:03.'''''
ILL – Kyle Hudson 41-yard pass from Eddie McGee (Jason Reda kick), 2:47. ''Tigers 37–27. '''Drive: 1 play, 41 yards, 0:07.'''''
Fourth quarter
ILL – Rashard Mendenhall 4-yard run (Jason Reda kick), 13:48. ''Tigers 37–34. '''Drive: 2 plays, 4 yards, 0:10.'''''
MIZ – Jeff Wolfert 32-yard field goal, 8:32. ''Tigers 40–34. '''Drive: 9 plays, 46 yards, 1:49.'''''
Statistics
Missouri Tigers}}"
MIZ
Illinois Fighting Illini}}"
ILL
First downs
25
23
Total yards
429
435
Rushing yards
70
119
Passing yards
359
316
Turnovers
3
5
Time of possession
29:23
30:37
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Missouri Tigers}}; text-align:center;"
**Missouri**
Passing
Chase Daniel
37/54, 359 yards, 3 TD
Rushing
Tony Temple
17 rushes, 33 yards
Receiving
Martin Rucker
10 receptions, 86 yards
Illinois Fighting Illini}}; text-align:center;"
**Illinois**
Passing
Eddie McGee
17/31, 257 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing
Daniel Dufrene
6 rushes, 58 yards
Receiving
Arrelious Benn
5 receptions, 74 yards
At Ole Miss
First quarter
No scoring playsSecond quarter
MIZ – William Franklin 10-yard pass from Chase Daniel (Jeff Wolfert kick), 14:55. ''Tigers 7–0. '''Drive: 10 plays, 55 yards, 3:01.'''''
MIZ – William Franklin 40-yard pass from Chase Daniel (Jeff Wolfert kick), 9:52. ''Tigers 14–0. '''Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 2:38.'''''
MIZ – Martin Rucker 40-yard pass from Chase Daniel (Jeff Wolfert kick), 4:24. ''Tigers 21–0. '''Drive: 6 plays, 93 yards, 1:54.'''''
† Starter at position † LB Aaron O'Neal died on July 13, 2005, but remained on the Tigers' roster for the remainder of his eligibility[http://mutigers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/oneal_aaron00.html](http://mutigers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/oneal_aaron00.html) [http://mutigers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/miss-aaron-oneal-forum.html](http://mutigers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/miss-aaron-oneal-forum.html)
This content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.