I’ve been on the bumpy Missouri Tiger football ride now for decades, and I just want to say I’m proud of how my alma mater’s team won 12 games this season, setting a school record - and also for their classy conduct.

They also didn’t “break my heart” with a sub-par effort, as has happened at games many times over the years. I’m not gloating, in light of the Illini’s embarassing loss later in the day, but I never thought they belonged in the Rose Bowl this time. I pretty much concentrate on the Big 12.

So, instead of bad-mouthing their Cotton Bowl host after being snubbed by the Bowl Championship Series, Mizzou focused on winning their game at hand - handily - while teams they beat during regular season got more prestigious BCS invitations. I can remember when there was only a half dozen college bowl games - many named after fruit with none of today’s corporate tags - and the Cotton Bowl was one of them. No one bashed it then.

No, Tiger players kept to the “line” of quickly having gotten over the disappointment of being ignored and relishing the challenge before them in Texas. Classy. It also can’t hurt recruitment of Texas talent in coming years. One team I know of publicly complained about their bowl destination, then had to record telephone messages used to call season ticket holders to ask (beg) them to attend the game.

And, unlike one football player I saw New Year’s Day, no Tiger felt he had to somersault over the line to claim his touchdown or otherwise show off.

I do have some general observations, though, from watching both games on television: One, I would like these highly paid sportscasters to either get some new researchers or pay attention to the information someone has gathered for them.

One man said the Gateway Arch straddles the Mississippi River at St. Louis. One sportscaster bragged how Illinois had come from behind and beat Missouri; fortunately his co-broadcaster corrected him on that important mis-statement. I also heard about the Missouri-LSU football game. Huh? I think Arkansas played LSU. I also heard a man refer to the outstanding Missouri quarterback as Chase McDaniel (combining “Daniel” with “Mc” from co-Heisman Trophy finalist (Darren) McFadden?). I also heard his name given as Daniels more than once. Sloppy.

I wish I had found a way to go to the Cotton Bowl game, the first that Mizzou played on Jan. 1 since 1970 - memorable because I knew then that I wanted to go to MU School of Journalism.

Win or lose, there is nothing like a bowl game. The only one I’ve attended was the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La., two years ago. That started out poorly, but Brad Smith and the Tigers pulled out from waaaay behind and upset the South Carolina Gamecocks in an exciting, movie-like second half. The camaraderie between fans, the good-natured ribbing and day-after game discussion with supporters of the opposing team amid all the fanfare is one great party, no matter size of the bowl.

I can’t wait until next season.

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