Posted at 9:48 a.m., Wednesday, December 5, 2007
CFB: Missouri coach says QB Daniel a Heisman finalist
Associated Press
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel is headed to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist, according to coach Gary Pinkel.An official announcement of the five finalists was scheduled for today, but Pinkel told Missouri fans Tuesday night that his junior quarterback made the cut.
"This shines a huge light, a shining light, on the University of Missouri and the state," Pinkel said in a conference call with the Mizzou Tiger Club of St. Louis.
In his second year as a starter, Daniel has thrown 33 touchdowns and more than 4,100 yards in leading No. 7 Missouri (11-2) to one of the best seasons in school history.
The Tigers will face No. 25 Arkansas (8-4) in the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Day. The game marks Missouri's first Jan. 1 bowl game in nearly four decades.
The bowl game will likely match a pair of Heisman finalists. Razorbacks running back Darren McFadden, last year's Heisman runner-up, also was expected to be invited to New York for Saturday's selection.
