COLUMBIA, Mo. Liberty Bowl executive director Steve Ehrhart remembers visiting with Mizzou athletics director Mike Alden and trying like heck in years past to secure the Tigers for the bowl game in Memphis.

But Mizzou hasnt made that postseason trip since 1980 when they lost to Purdue. They also went in 1978.

I remember being up here with Mike several times, Ehrhart said Saturday night at Faurot Field. And when we talked in Destin at the (SEC) spring meetings, I told him, Maybe this is a sign.

The Tigers entered Saturdays game against Syracuse with five victories, needing one more for bowl eligibility. But those prospects were dealt a blow after a 31-27 loss to the Orange. The teams last opportunity to qualify is next weeks season finale at Texas A&M.

Earlier Saturday, the group of teams that could be in contention for a spot in the Liberty Bowl on Dec. 31 continued to dwindle. Arkansas was eliminated with a loss. Ole Miss remained a serious possibility but lost to LSU and remains at five wins. Vanderbilt is an attractive in-state option but the Commodores played in the Liberty Bowl last year.

Prior to MUs loss, Ehrhart wasnt shy in talking about the Tigers as a potential draw.

TV out of Memphis goes into Missouri as a viewing area, so thats intriguing to us, he said. And Missouri has a reputation of being one of the classiest with Mikes leadership. So we have a ton of reasons it would be good if all the planets align. Thats why I came.

Richardson emerges

Mizzou defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson was suspended for Saturdays game, but he made an appearance on Twitter.

Richardson posted a photo of a wristband with his initials and numbers and wrote:

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Liberty Bowl liked Mizzou possibility