Missouri wide receiver Danario Alexander, right, can't haul in a pass on Nov. 17 against Kansas State. While others have received the headlines, players like Alexander help make Mizzou go.

Columbia, Mo. ? Redshirt freshman sensation Jeremy Maclin and the tight end duo of Martin Rucker and Chase Coffman have gotten much of the attention among Missouri receivers, but quarterback Chase Daniel has plenty of other options, too.

That was evident in Saturday’s 36-28 win over then-No. 2 Kansas University, a win that vaulted the Tigers (11-1, 7-1 Big 12) to the top of the rankings and the BCS standings and into the Big 12 championship game against Oklahoma (10-2, 6-2).

Against the Jayhawks, Danario Alexander had eight catches for 117 yards and Tommy Saunders had a career-best eight catches for 82 yards.

“In this offense, you have to be a team player,” coach Gary Pinkel said. “If you start counting catches after every game, then we will be in trouble.”

Missouri needed big games from the two receivers after Coffman had to leave the game with an ankle injury.

This was supposed to be a breakout season for Alexander, a sophomore who began the season with a nine-catch, 82-yard showing in a 40-34 win over Illinois on Sept. 1 in St. Louis.

Except for the Illinois and Kansas games, Alexander has just one game this season with at least six catches. Overall, he has 37 catches for 417 yards and two touchdowns, including one against the Jayhawks.

The Kansas game “was sort of his coming out party,” Daniel said. “Hopefully he can continue to play at a high level.”