Jan. 8, 2003

Columbia, Mo. - The alltime-leading receiver in Missouri Football history will take part in the nation's most prestigious all-star game this weekend, as senior wideout Justin Gage will play in the 78th annual East-West Shrine Game. The contest is set for Saturday, January 11th at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco, Calif., and will be televised nationally at 1 p.m. (central time) on ESPN.

A two-time first-team All-Big 12 Conference selection, Gage set virtually every Mizzou receiving record of note, including career receptions (200), career receiving yards (2,704), career receiving touchdowns (18), and consecutive games with a reception (34). The Jefferson City, Mo. native also set Mizzou single-season records in receptions (82 in 2002), and receiving touchdowns (9 in 2002), and also holds MU single-game records in receptions (16 vs. Bowling Green in 2002), and receiving yards (236, twice).

Gage will be the 33rd Tiger to participate in the East-West Shrine Game, and is the first since guard Craig Heimburger played in the 1999 classic. He is the first Mizzou receiver to take part in the game since Mel Gray in 1971.