Former MU Receiver Saunders Arrested

COLUMBIA - Tommy Saunders, one of the feel-good stories of Missouri football in becoming a star receiver after walking on, was arrested Friday night here on suspicion of felony assault.
MU athletic department officials - and Columbia attorney Bogdan Susan, who is representing Saunders - confirmed Saunders was involved in an incident in a Columbia nightspot but provided only general details.
Saunders allegedly struck an unidentified Columbia man after the man was alleged to have accosted Saunders girl friend on numerous occassions.
The man, after being struck by Saunders, fell to the floor. Saunders left the scene of the incident and was later arrested by Columbia Police.
A Columbia Police Department officer told The Star on Saturday morning the unit’s media relations officer was not on duty on Saturday. The officer, answering the department’s front-desk telephone, said he could not provide further information.
No one answered the telephone at the home of Saunders grandmother, in Kearney, Mo., where Saunders attended high school.
Chad Moller, director of media relations for MU, acknowledged Saunders has been working as a volunteer coach with the Missouri football team, but said he did not hold an official position on the staff.
Saunders, who’s final year at Missouri was in the 2008 season, ranks No. 9 on the single season MU receiving yards list with 72 receptions for 833 yards and 7 touchdowns.
For his career, Saunders ranks No. 7 in Mu history with 150 receptions for 1,600 yards and 11 touchdowns.