THE SIKESTON TRAIN CHUGGED HIS WAY TO NFL

The Sikeston Train started on local routes before pulling into stations nationwide.

James Wilder made a name for himself in Southeast Missouri as a bruising tailback at Sikeston High School. Coined the Sikeston Train for his punishing style of running, Wilder became an important part of Missouri's success in the late 70's and early 80's before moving onto an 11-year NFL career.

Wilder wore No. 32 at Missouri where he lettered for three years (1978-80). With Wilder the featured back, Missouri went 23-13 during that three-year span.

Wilder wasted little time in demonstrating the ability to perform against top level talent. As a sophomore, Wilder rushed for 181 yards and matched a school record with four touchdowns in a memorable 35-31 road victory over Nebraska, ranked No. 2 in the nation at the time. He topped 100 yards eight times with the Tigers and ranks fifth in career rushing with 2,357 yards.

He led Missouri in rushing all three years with a personal-best 873 yards in 1978 (5.5 yards per carry). Missouri appeared in bowl games all three years, going 2-1. He was named the MVP of the 1978 Liberty Bowl, a 20-15 victory over LSU, where he rushed for 115 yards on 28 carries.

Wilder also rushed for 95 yards on 24 carries in the Hall of Fame Bowl in 1979 which Missouri defeated South Carolina 24-14.

In the NFL, the Sikeston Train made stops in Tampa Bay (1981-89), Washington (1990) and Detroit (1990-91).

In 1990 Wilder was made a first-team running back on the Missouri All-Century Football Team, an elite 26-player squad.

He was inducted into the University of Missouri Hall of Fame in 1994.