The Missouri Tigers have a storied history in college sports, with numerous championships and a legacy of producing notable players. The University of Missouri football program has also been named national champions twice and the school has seen its players earn All-American status and Hall of Fame glory.
Mizzou Football Includes a Legacy of Championships
The Missouri Tigers football team, representing the University of Missouri, has a storied history in college football. From their early days in the Western Interstate University Football Association (WIUFA) to their current tenure in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the Tigers have enjoyed numerous championship seasons, significantly influenced by the strategic decisions and leadership of head coaches like Gary Pinkel and Dan Devine.
Early Championships in WIUFA
- 1893, 1894, 1895: The Tigers captured their first conference titles during their time in the Western Interstate University Football Association, showcasing their early dominance in collegiate football.
Success in the Big Eight Conference
1909, 1913, 1919, 1924, 1925, 1927, 1939, 1941, 1942, 1945, 1960, 1969: Missouri’s tenure in the Big Eight Conference was marked by consistent success, with the Tigers winning a total of 12 conference championships. These years stand out as golden eras of Mizzou football. Coach Dan Devine’s 1960 squad posted and 11-0 record aided by a late-season loss to the Jayhawks reversed due to conference rival Kansas using an ineligible player. The Tigers were named national champions by the Poling System. The 1965 Missouri Tigers earned a No. 6 ranking by closing out the season with four straight wins and a Sugar Bowl victory over the Florida Gators.
Missouri Tigers 2007 National Championship
Despite two losses during the 2007 campaign, Head Coach Gary Pinkel’s squad was named national champions by Anderson and Hester that incorporated a mathematical system for ranking college football’s top programs. Anderson and Hester began selecting its champion in 1967 and is is one of more than 40 ranking systems listed by the NCAA as selecting college football national champions.
The 2007 Missouri Tigers were led by Heisman finalist Chase Daniel. Mizzou started the season with a 5-0 record and a No. 11 ranking before falling to No. 6 Oklahoma. The Tigers regained momentum with six more victories including a 36-28 win over No. 2 Kansas. Mizzou possessed a No. 1 ranking heading into their Big 12 Championship game against No. 9 Oklahoma. However, the Sooners defeated Missouri 38-17.
SEC Era and Division Titles
- 2013, 2014: Since joining the SEC in 2012, Missouri is yet to capture an SEC Conference title. However, the Tigers showcased their competitive spirit by winning the SEC East Division crown in both 2013 and 2014. Their impressive performance during the regular season set the stage for these division titles.
- Throughout the years, the Missouri Tigers have produced numerous standout players who have left an indelible mark on the program and beyond. Missouri Athletics has produced this video of its Football Legends
Chase Daniel: Missouri’s Record-Setting Quarterback and Heisman Finalist
Chase Daniel, hailing from Southlake, Texas, left an indelible mark on Missouri’s football program with his exceptional quarterbacking skills. Known for his remarkable consistency and leadership, Daniel led the Tigers to unprecedented heights, including the nation’s number-one ranking in 2007 and a near shot at becoming national champions.
During his tenure from 2006 to 2008, Daniel broke virtually every Mizzou passing and total offense record, amassing 12,515 passing yards, 101 touchdown passes, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks in the school’s history. In his standout 2007 season, he completed 384-of-563 passes for 4,306 yards and 33 touchdowns, earning him a fourth-place finish behind Tim Tebow, Darren McFadden and Colt Brennan in the Heisman Trophy balloting, the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year title, and a consensus second-team All-American selection.
Daniel’s impact extended beyond individual accolades as he propelled Missouri to its first two conference division titles in program history (2007-2008 Big 12 North) and a school-record 12 wins in 2007, culminating in a final national ranking of fourth. His senior year in 2008 saw him surpass his own records, throwing for 4,335 yards and 39 touchdowns. After an illustrious college career, Daniel went on to play 14 seasons in the NFL. Daniel was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2014
Brad Smith
Quarterback Brad Smith, one of the notable Missouri players, was a four-year starter (2002-2005) for the Tigers who brought excitement and versatility to the Mizzou offense. He was known for his dual-threat capabilities, excelling in both passing and rushing. While leading the Tigers offense, Smith became only the second player in Division I-A football history to pass for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a season.
Jeremy Maclin’s Electrifying Legacy at Mizzou
Jeremy Maclin stands out as one of the most electrifying players in Mizzou football history. Known for his versatility on offense and special teams, Maclin made a significant impact during one of the program’s most successful periods.
Record-Breaking Achievements
Maclin is the only player in Mizzou’s history to be a two-time first-team All-American. He earned consensus honors as an all-purpose back in both 2007 and 2008. Remarkably, he was also the first Mizzou freshman to achieve first-team All-American honors.
Despite missing the 2006 season due to an injury during summer conditioning, Maclin shattered the MU record for career all-purpose yardage in just two years, amassing 5,609 yards.
Big 12 Conference Dominance
Throughout his time at Mizzou, Maclin was a first-team All-Big 12 Conference selection for both seasons. In 2007, he was named Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year by league coaches. That year, he set an NCAA single-season freshman record for all-purpose yards, totaling 2,776 yards:
- Receiving: 1,055 yards
- Kickoff Returns: 1,039 yards
- Rushing: 375 yards
- Punt Returns: 307 yards
He scored 16 touchdowns as a freshman, which included nine receiving, four rushing, two punt returns, and one historic kickoff return—Mizzou’s first in 25 years.
Continued Excellence
Maclin’s sophomore year in 2008 was just as impressive. He was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award and set new MU single-season receiving records with 102 receptions, 1,260 yards, and 13 touchdowns. He also led the NCAA in all-purpose yardage, averaging 202.36 yards per game (2,833 total).
NFL Career
With two years of eligibility remaining, the Mizzou All-American declared for the draft after his redshirt sophomore season. Maclin was drafted 19th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. Over his eight seasons in the NFL, he played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, and Baltimore Ravens. He recorded 514 receptions for 6,835 yards and scored 49 touchdowns.
Sheldon Richardson
Sheldon Richardson, a formidable defensive lineman, was a force to be reckoned with on the field. His strength and agility disrupted opposing offenses consistently.
Missouri Tigers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Kellen Winslow
Kellen Winslow, a legendary tight end, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995. Drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the first round as the 13th overall pick in the 1979 NFL Draft, Winslow quickly established himself as a game-changing player. Despite frequent knee injuries throughout his career, he amassed remarkable statistics, including 541 receptions for 6,741 yards and 45 touchdowns over nine NFL seasons. Winslow’s exceptional skills and contributions to the game earned him five Pro Bowl selections, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest tight ends in football history.
Winslow’s College Career
Kellen Winslow’s tenure as a tight end at Mizzou was nothing short of remarkable. Between 1976 and 1978, Winslow caught 71 passes for 1,089 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. His outstanding performance on the field earned him all-Big Eight Conference honors in both 1977 and 1978. Winslow’s senior year was particularly noteworthy, as he achieved consensus All-America status. His contributions to college football were later recognized with his induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1994 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002.
Roger Wehrli
Roger Wehrli wash inducted into the Pro Football in the Class of 2007. He was a stalwart in the St. Louis Cardinals’ defense for 14 seasons. The former Tiger was a first-round draft pick in 1969 who quickly made his mark in the NFL. Coming off an impressive college career at Missouri, where he was an All-America selection, Wehrli showcased his incredible talent by leading the nation in punt returns and intercepting 10 passes in his senior year. His transition to professional football was seamless, thanks to his exceptional speed, finesse, and strength, allowing him to become a cornerstone of the Cardinals’ secondary for the next 14 seasons.
Wehrli’s excellence on the field earned him numerous accolades, including a spot on the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1970s. He was honored with first-team All-Pro recognition five times (1970, 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1977), solidifying his reputation as one of the league’s premier cornerbacks.
Missouri Football By the Numbers
Here’s a look at some of the most important numbers in Missouri Tigers football history:
- 15: Number of conference titles Missouri has won
- 20: Missouri’s longest home winning streak that started in November of 1938 and lasted until a home loss against Oklahoma in November 1943.
- No. 23: Retired jersey number shared by Johnny Roland and Roger Wehrli
- No. 27: Retired jersey honoring Brock Olivo
- No. 37: Retired jersey number honoring Bob Steuber
- No. 42: Retired jersey number honoring Darold Jenkins
- No. 44: Retired jersey number honoring Paul Christman
- No. 83: Retired number honoring Kellen Winslow
- 118: Most wins by a Missouri head football coach. Gary Pinkel won 118 games from 2001-2015.
- 1890: First season of Missouri football
- 1907: Joined the Big Eight Conference
- 1924: First Bowl Game, a 20-7 loss to USC in the Los Angeles Christmas Festival.
- 1961: First Bowl Victory, a 21-14 victory over Navy in the Orange Bowl following the 1960 season.
- 1972: Memorial Stadium’s playing surface is named Faurot Field in honor of the University’s legendary coach and athletic director Don Faurot.
- 1995: Missouri has its first Pro Football Hall of Fame Member when Kellen Winslow is inducted.
- 2010: The year Missouri wins its first game over a No. 1 ranked opponent with an Oct. 23, 36-27 victory over the top-ranked OU Sooners.
- 2012: First year in the Southeastern Conference
