Nov. 9, 2006

COLUMBIA, Mo. - University of Missouri football student-athletes Chase Daniel and Adam Crossett were rewarded today for their efforts in the classroom, as each was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District 1st Team for Co-SIDA District 7.

Daniel, a sophomore quarterback from Southlake, Texas, and Crossett, a junior punter from Liberty, Mo., will advance to the national ballot, with a chance at winning Academic All-American honors. Voting for national honors begins next week, with winners to be announced Nov. 30th, after voters consider 1st-Team members in eight districts across the nation.

Daniel and Crossett have both played big roles in Mizzou's 7-3 season. Daniel has emerged as a candidate for All-Big 12 honors, as he's already broken MU single-season records for touchdown passes (21) and passing yardage (2,531). Crossett has a punting average of 39.5 yards per game in 2006, and has come on strong in the last half of the season, as he's averaged 43.4 yards per punt in his last five contests. Crossett's career punting average of 41.1 ranks 4th alltime on the MU career charts.

Academically, Daniel was honored for his 3.29 grade point average (GPA) in business administration, while Crossett was cited for his 3.72 GPA in business marketing.

Mizzou is off this Saturday, as Head Coach Gary Pinkel and his squad prepares for its next game, at Iowa State on Nov. 18th at 1 p.m. The Tigers will conclude the 2006 regular season with their annual Border Showdown with rival Kansas, at 11 a.m. on Nov. 25th. Tickets for either game can be purchased online at www.mutigers.com, or over the phone by calling the MU Athletic Ticket Office at 1-800-CAT-PAWS (884-PAWS in Columbia).