Oct. 7, 2007

Columbia, Mo. - The University of Missouri Football program (5-0, 1-0 Big 12) continued its ascension up the national standings on Sunday when a 41-6 win over No. 25 Nebraska on Saturday catapulted the Tigers to No. 11 in both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches Top 25 polls.

The 41-6 win was the largest margin of victory vs. Nebraska since a 47-6 win in 1946 and marked the first time Mizzou has held the "Big Red" without a touchdown since 1961. Missouri's high-powered offense racked up 41 points on 606 total yards, while the defense held Nebraska to less than seven points for the first time since 2004 (30-3 loss at Oklahoma).

The victory also gave the Tigers their second win over a Top 25 program this season. While Nebraska was ranked No. 25 at the time of Saturday's 35-point win, Mizzou's season-opening opponent, Illinois, jumped to No. 18 in the Associated Press poll and No. 19 in the USA Today Coaches poll. The Tigers defeated the Fighting Illini 40-34 in St. Louis on Sept. 1.

Historically, the No. 11 national ranking is the highest for a Gary Pinkel-coached club in Columbia and the highest for Missouri since Oct. 17, 1981. On that day the No. 8 Tigers fell at Iowa State 34-13.

With the win, all eyes will turn to Norman, Okla., next Saturday (Oct. 13), as No. 11 Missouri and No. 6 Oklahoma square off at 5:30 p.m. on Fox Sports Net. The meeting will have the most national-ranking implications (both clubs ranked inside the Top 11) for the Tiger football program since No. 5 Missouri met No. 4 Texas on Sept. 28, 1979 in Columbia. Overall, Missouri is a solid 4-2 as the nation's No. 11-ranked program, with their last win as No. 11 coming on Sept. 15, 1979 at Illinois (14-6).

Another unique historical note is that Missouri has now started the season 5-0 in back-to-back years for the first time in school history. Missouri has only been 5-0 eight times in school history, including last season's impressive 6-0 start. Not included in that list are the 1925 Tigers, who opened the year with a 6-6 tie at Tulane, but won their next six games to start 6-0-1.

For more information on the University of Missouri Football program, please visit our website, mutigers.com.

## M I Z Z O U ##