There’s no I in MU’s Saunders
By MIKE DeARMOND
The Kansas City Star
COLUMBIA | At one point Saturday night, the best wide receiver available to Missouri was a former walk-on.
Jeremy Maclin was back in the dressing room having an ankle examined. Jared Perry, who went down on the same play as Maclin, was still shaken up. Danario Alexander was not available because he is still rehabilitating from knee surgery.
But then Tommy Saunders is no ordinary walk-on. Sure, the kid from Kearney came to Missouri without a scholarship. He is a senior now, a team captain.
It should have been no surprise Saunders stuffed his wild hair into his helmet, buckled his chinstrap and caught two touchdown passes in No. 6 Missouri’s 52-42 victory over No. 20 Illinois on Saturday night.
“He’s extra special,” Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said. “Tommy’s like that personally, too. As far as friendships and things going on within our team, Tommy’s the guy.
“Ever since the day he got here, it’s always been about everybody else.”
Need someone to play H back? Need someone to play X receiver, or Z? Saunders, quietly and assuredly, is a man for many positions and all requests. Including returning a punt when Maclin went down. Saunders gained 15 yards.
“By the way, he comes in my office,” Pinkel added, “and he wants on every single kicking team.
“He’s like a machine. He’s not Superman. But he wants to do everything he can do for our football team to win.
“He’s one of the most unselfish people I’ve been around in my life. The guy does so much more than play football.”
Think of a pint-sized Paul Bunyan. The Legend of Tommy Saunders is almost mythic around Mizzou.
When his grandfather, who instilled in Saunders responsibility and civility, was dying from cancer last season, Saunders was a near constant traveler on I-70.
Practice, drive home to Kearney to be with Sir Papa, study and sleep just a little, then drive back to Columbia in time for school and another day’s practice.
In his spare time, Saunders did 100,084 pushups; 84 is his jersey number.
This season Saunders is working on making 100,000 catches; he lies on his back on his bed, tosses the football up to the ceiling, catches it as it falls. Over and over, improving his hand-eye coordination, the basics of watching a football spin into his hands.
He has also become the Pied Piper of Missouri football, the magnet to which young receivers are attracted.
“I’m just doing what other players did for me when I was a freshman,” Saunders said. “Will Franklin, Chris Crosby, A.B. (Arnold Britt) and Brad Ekwerekwu. Sean Coffey.”
Saunders hoards knowledge to share it.
“I can help out with running their routes, reading coverages, watching film,” he said of his tutelage. “I’m just trying to help them out the way I was helped out.”
Saunders spent his first year as a redshirt, working on the scout team.
In 2005, Saunders made three starts, caught 12 passes for 99 yards, including a TD.
In 2006, Saunders started all 13 games, caught 25 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns.
Last season, Saunders caught 41 passes for 397 yards, took over place-holding duties and also was three of three passing.
Against Illinois in the 2008 season opener, Saunders caught six passes for 64 yards and enjoyed his first multiple-touchdown game.
It was the 31st game Saunders has started at Missouri. No current Tiger has started as many.
“Tommy is a little bit different cat,” quarterback Chase Daniel said. “He’s a workaholic. He’s a leader on this football team.
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To reach Mike DeArmond, Missouri reporter for The Star, call 816-234-4353 or send e-mail to mdearmond@kcstar.com | Mike DeArmond, mdearmond@kcstar.com
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