COLUMBIA – The Missouri football team will host Iowa State for its final home game of the season Saturday at Faurot Field.
The team's small class of seniors has been through a range of emotions as Tigers. They contributed to landmark victories and suffered a number of difficult losses.
When they were sophomores, linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, offensive lineman Kurtis Gregory and wide receiver Danario Alexander made their names famous throughout the state. Missouri won 12 games and finished the 2007 season ranked as one of America's top five teams.
As juniors, they faced high expectations and helped Missouri once again win the Big 12 North division. But the Tigers lost to Oklahoma by a wide margin in the Big 12 Championship game.
This year, the team has played inconsistently. The Tigers lost their first four conference games and might still need to win one more game to be invited to a bowl.
However, certain players have shone in their final seasons. Alexander stood out Saturday against Kansas State, impressing observers with his athleticism and toughness. Weatherspoon might be named an All-American at linebacker. Gregory has started every game for the last three years and has been named to numerous lists recognizing academic achievement.
Still, players and fans alike had hoped for higher achievement on the field than they've seen this year, and Missouri carries less momentum into its final home game of the season than it has the past two years.
Will you be attending Missouri's final home game this week against Iowa State? How will you remember the senior class of this football team?