Missouri To Face No. 24 Oregon State In The Brut Sun Bowl 

Native Texan Chase Daniel will lead the Tigers against Oregon State.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to host the University of Missouri in El Paso for the 73rd annual Brut Sun Bowl,” said John H. Folmer, president of the Sun Bowl Association. “The Tigers bring in one of the nation’s most explosive offenses and one of the NCAA’s stingiest defenses. Missouri is the total package.”

The Tigers, who finished second in the Big 12 Conference North Division, will be making back-to-back bowl appearances for the first time since 1997-98. Missouri finished the regular season 8-4 (4-4 in the Big 12). The Tigers averaged 55,918 fans per game at their seven home games this season, including 64,657 at the Mizzou-Kansas State game in Oct. 21.

“We are excited to have Missouri play in the Brut Sun Bowl,” said Bernie Olivas. “The Tigers have one of the top 15 offenses in the country and that should make for an exciting game for El Paso and our national television audience on CBS. We look forward to extending our West Texas hospitality to the Tigers and their faithful fans.”

Missouri tailback Tony Temple is expected to lead the ground attack against Oregon State.

“We are proud and pleased for Coach Pinkel and his staff and student-athletes for earning this great opportunity,” said MU Director of Athletics Mike Alden.  “They have had a great year and are very deserving to play in such a respected bowl game against a quality opponent like Oregon State.  This should be a very exciting game for the fans of both schools.”

This marks the third bowl appearance in four years under head coach Gary Pinkel, who led the Tigers to the 2003 Mainstay Independence Bowl and the 2005 Independence Bowl. In 2005, he upset Steve Spurrier’s South Carolina squad, 38-31.

“We’re very excited to be a part of the Brut Sun Bowl,” said MU Head Coach Gary Pinkel.  “This game has a long-standing tradition of providing a great experience for the teams, and I can attest to that from personal experience since I’ve had a chance to play there twice before with Washington.  The people associated with the Sun Bowl run a first-class operation, and we’re looking forward to preparing for an excellent Oregon State team and getting to El Paso.”

Missouri has an explosive offensive squad, which features 145 yards per game on the ground and another 269.3 yards through the air. In all, the Tigers offense ranks 12th nationally in total offense and averages just less than 30 points per game. On the defensive side of the ball, Missouri ranks 30th in total defense and 19th in pass defense.

The 73rd Annual Brut Sun Bowl is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 29 at noon (MST). CBS Sports will broadcast the game for the 39th consecutive year, which is the longest running partnership between a network and a bowl game. Ticket prices for the game are $15, $20, $30, $40, $50, and $60. Tickets can be purchased at the Sun Bowl Association office (915-533-4416, 800-915-2695 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ), online at www.ticketmaster.com or at any TicketMaster outlet.