COLUMBIA, Mo. - Chase Daniel had a very happy birthday on Saturday night and into Sunday morning.
Missouri's junior quarterback turned 21 at midnight, just a few minutes after leading the Tigers to a 41-6 victory over Nebraska in front of a near-record crowd of 70,049.
"I was the first to wish him a happy birthday," MU Coach Gary Pinkel said.
Daniel's first present came in the form of 401 passing yards, a career-high for the Southlake, Texas, native. He was 33-of-47 passing and led Mizzou with 72 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 11 carries.
Daniel started off the night completing four passes for 69 yards on Missouri's first drive of the game. In total, Daniel connected with nine Tigers on the night, including William Franklin, Chase Coffman and Martin Rucker, who all notched at least six receptions and 56 yards receiving.
Missouri freshman wide receiver Jeremy Maclin also contributed, thanks to Daniel's arm, reeling in 62 yards on four catches. Maclin also ran for 53 yards on six carries.
"He's a competitor," Maclin said of Daniel. "He's one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. We rally around him, and when he's doing good, he's going to make us look good."
Daniel ran for his first touchdown of the night on the Tigers' first drive of the game. On second down and goal at the NU 1-yard line, Daniel took the snap and hustled easily into the end zone.
After the Tigers scored again on a Daniel touchdown pass, they were only able to gain two field goals for the rest of the first half and led 20-6.
They came out shooting after the break.
Daniel ran for his second touchdown on Mizzou's first drive in the third quarter. After passing three times for 41 yards, Daniel's three-yard run gave Missouri a 27-6 lead.
"(Daniel has) a lot of guys out there that make plays and sometimes I just sit there and shake my head," Pinkel said. "But it starts with the trigger guy."
Daniel's longest pass of the night came on MU's next drive of the third quarter. Looking over the looming bodies of Nebraska defenders, Daniel caught Danario Alexander on a long crossing route for a 48-yard touchdown pass that put the Tigers up 34-6 midway through the third quarter.
Thanks to Daniel's play, MU junior quarterback Chase Patton was able to get one pass attempt at quarterback. Daniel said much of his success and that of the team's was because of the game plan the coaches drew up during Missouri's extra week of practice.
Pinkel, however, could do little but keep praising his quarterback.
"I don't know what else to say about him," Pinkel said. "I say so many things positive about that guy. He's a remarkable competitor and without a doubt one of the top three or four quarterbacks in the country.
"He has to be."
katelynkerkhove@dailynebraskan.com
is a member of the 
