By Fred Liggett
FredL@lstribune.net

Following a successful 2018 regular season that ended at 8-4 the Missouri Tigers football team knew they would be going to a bowl game…but which one? That answer came on Sunday, Dec. 2 when national TV network ESPN held a bowl selection Sunday show. During the hour long program the news of the Tigers selection to the Auto Zone Liberty Bowl was revealed. The Tigers would be the SEC representative and play the Big 12 representative, the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Tigers senior offensive lineman Kevin Pendleton found out about the bowl selection in a different way. Social media did the trick for him as he learned about his next game location thanks to Twitter. Pendleton, a Lee’s Summit West grad, also got word thanks to a confirmation text from Mizzou coaches.

Once Pendleton knew of the site for his next game he was “Excited.” Pendleton adds “Another chance to play for MU.” Having the game site just a seven-hour drive away from Kansas City metro area pleased Pendleton. The drive to Memphis “is not an awful drive, a great chance for family and friends to show support.” Speaking of family, Pendleton is expecting 15-20 family members at the Auto Zone Liberty Bowl. Pendleton states “My family has been great being at games my senior year.”

The Tigers football team took a break from bowl prep for the Christmas holiday from Dec., 22-25. The day after presents were unwrapped the players and coaches met in Columbia to begin their trip to Memphis where they arrived that afternoon. Pendleton looks forward to his time spent in the home city of the Auto Zone Liberty Bowl. Pendleton says “Being a KC kid and being a fat kid” he is looking forward to sampling Memphis BBQ. Pendleton adds “Seeing the iconic Beale Street” is also on his short list of places to see.

Many longtime Mizzou football fans recall the days when the Tigers would play Oklahoma State every year. The Cowboys would play the Tigers in a Big 12 conference game starting in 1996 but before that it was every year in Big 8 conference action. Pendleton has fond memories of a Tigers/Cowboys game. Pendleton recalls “sitting around watching MU while growing up.” One memory that comes to mind is the 2014 Cotton Bowl game where then number nine ranked Missouri beat Oklahoma State 41-31.

The time has almost come for Pendleton and his teammates to create another memory of a Tigers win over the Cowboys in a bowl game. The 60th Annual Auto Zone Liberty Bowl game is set for Monday, Dec. 31st with a 2:45 p.m. kick off. The nationally televised game can be seen on ESPN. When the game ends Lee’s Summit native Kevin Pendleton may have more positive tales to tell future Tigers.

Tales Of Tigers Trip Is Sponsored By Third Street Social

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