April 9, 2004

Columbia, Mo. - Captains have been selected for the 2004 football season, as announced today by Head Coach Gary Pinkel. The captains, as chosen in a vote by their teammates, are senior linebacker James Kinney, senior defensive lineman Atiyyah Ellison, senior tailback Beau Viehmann and junior quarterback Brad Smith.

Kinney is one of the nation's top returning linebackers, and looks to contend for All-American honors in 2004. He is a captain for the third straight year, and needs only 94 more tackles to become MU's career leader in that category.

Ellison is an anchor of a Tiger defensive line that looks to be one of the stronger units on the team. He was a 3rd-team All-Big 12 Conference selection in 2003 after notching 72 tackles, including 14 tackles for loss and four sacks.

Viehmann was voted captain by his teammates after yet another impressive spring. He played in all 13 games last season as a tailback and on special teams, and was named MU's walk-on player of the year for 2003.

Smith will be a captain for the second consecutive year, and has already been listed on several pre-season Heisman Trophy watch lists. An honorable mention All-American after leading Mizzou to an 8-5 record in 2003, Smith already holds Mizzou's career total offense record, with 6,745 yards in two seasons.

Mizzou's 2004 spring season comes to a close tomorrow with the annual Black & Gold Game, to be held at Faurot Field at 2 p.m. Admission is $3, or is free with a donation of three canned food items, which benefit the Central Missouri Food Bank.

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