Tyler Hunt runs over and through the UConn defense for a big gain (photo/Mizzou Athletics)

Tyler Hunt runs over and through the UConn defense for a big gain (photo/Mizzou Athletics)

Tyler Hunt, the Westran High School product, was used to playing tough competition.  He always went up against kids who were older and bigger then him, and most times, he outplayed them.  Now that he is in his senior season at Mizzou, the 5’11, 210 pound truck is showing the rest of us what people in the Huntsville, Missouri area already knew…this kid is really good.

A big contributor on special teams the last two seasons, the coaches love Hunt’s attitude and his work ethic.  He worked his way to 4th on the depth chart at running back and continues to find ways to get on the field and make big plays.

In week one against SEMO, he slipped past the secondary and caught a wide open pass from Drew Lock and outran the defense for a 78 yard touchdown.  This week, he took a short pass from Maty Mauk, saw that UConn linebacker Graham Stewart (two inches taller and 27 pounds heavier) was off balance and he leveled him to the ground before rolling his way 51 yards to set up a first and goal.

Hunt says he’s one of the fastest and strongest on the team.  The fact that he has both of Missouri’s plays of 50 yards or more this season doesn’t seem to surprise him at all.  Despite his success, he says he and the rest of the backs need to step up their game if the offense is going to get better.

Listen to our postgame visit (1:45)