Temple is Big 12's top returning rusher

~ The senior running back ran for 194 yards in last season's bowl game.

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- If Tony Temple plays like he did in the Sun Bowl loss to Oregon State last year, Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel thinks this could be the Tigers' most successful season in decades.

"It means we're probably in the Big 12 title game," Daniel said.

Temple enters his senior season as the leading returning rusher in the Big 12, having rushed for 1,063 yards as a junior. He topped off the 2006 season with 194 yards rushing and two touchdowns in Missouri's 39-38 loss to Oregon State.

As the Tigers prepare for Saturday's opener against Illinois in St. Louis, Daniel said Temple is possibly the most important player in what is expected to be one of the nation's most potent offenses, one that ranked eighth in total offense in 2006.

"He's the catalyst," Daniel said. "I've said it 1,000 times: When he's going, we definitely feel like we have a great chance at winning."

Coaches and teammates believe Temple has transformed into a more complete player.

Heading into 2006, the Kansas City native had a modest 450 yards and three touchdowns in his first two seasons at Missouri. He won the starting job during fall camp prior to last year and broke 100 yards in two of his first three games.

Still, it wasn't until right before the Sun Bowl that things began to click for Temple, after a conversation with running backs coach Brian Jones.

"He sat there and asked me, 'What kind of running back do you think you are?' And I couldn't answer him," Temple said. "He told me, 'Your best stuff is up north, hitting the hole.' Ever since then, that's been my mind-set -- just go."

Coach Gary Pinkel said maturity has helped Temple realize his need to become a more physical player.

"I think he can be just a huge asset to this offense in terms of what he can provide for us," Pinkel said. "I would expect that we would see a player very similar, if not better, than we saw at the end of the season last year."

Temple said he wants to be a better all-around player, not just a runner. That includes picking up blitzes, catching passes and getting tough yards. He wants to see big improvement on last season's six receptions for 34 yards.

"I could always run the ball," Temple said. "You could put the ball in my hands and I could figure out ways to get yards and to get in the end zone."