Tiger Kickoff

Aldon Smith's physical abilities have always made him stand out. His desire to excel as an athlete helped him learn how to harness those abilities and mold himself into one of the country’s most outstanding defensive linemen.

Since moving into his own place two summers ago, Blaine Gabbert developed a passion for cooking.

For the six Missouri football players who make up the Kentucky Boulevard Boys, the rap group is sometimes a serious music venture, sometimes an off-field recreation and sometimes an elaborate inside joke. But most of the time, the group is all three at one time.

Missouri offensive coordinator Dave Yost said he asked his fellow coaches at halftime of the Tigers' game against Illinois for their four favorite running plays from the first half. Yost said those four plays became the new, simplified running gameplan for the second half.

“The easy thing to say is that Illinois doesn’t want to get beat anymore.” — Missouri sports historian Michael Atchison on the end of the Arch Rivalry series.

His father's murder. His mother's drug habit. His sibling's separation. His academic struggles. All of them helped shape Brian Coulter's life and his efforts to move toward his future.

MU football players Tommy Saunders and Brock Christopher went to high school together. “It’s not about playing on the field. It’s about the people,” Saunders said. “The guys you played with in high school. … The things you learn from each other. The things you go through with each other."

The Tigers have had their struggles, but Chase Coffman is at the top of his game.

While fans cheer, the ROTC cadets who shoot of MU's fabled cannon and do pushups corresponding to the Tigers side of scoreboard might root for the offense to slow down its production.

The highly-touted Columbia native has embraced his role despite once being considered as the heir apparent to Brad Smith.

It's a rare statement from a college starter on a top-ranked team, but MU nose tackle Jaron Baston says he is not looking for "superstar-ism," as he calls it.

Jeff Gettys, a sophomore reserve linebacker for the Missouri football team, has taken advantage of every opportunity he has had a a walk-on for the Tigers. His efforts have earned him a scholarship.

It's hard for former teammates and coaches at Palo Duro High School in Amarillo, Texas, to forget the plays MU's Ziggy Hood used to make.

Sean Weatherspoon, a junior linebacker, has become the face of MU's early season success.

Gary Pinkel calls him the ultimate team player. Chase Daniel says that he can't remember seeing him ever feeling sorry for himself. None of this is a surprise to Hayti High School coach David Gilmore.

Senior captain Tommy Saunders takes it upon himself to pass down what he has learned in his time as a Missouri wide receiver.