Missouri pass rushing — it’s an aspect of the Tigers that’s gained substantial respect within the SEC over the past three years thanks to the bevy of talented defensive linemen to put on the Missouri uniform.

This year’s group has been highlighted mostly by Shane Ray, a redshirt junior who has developed into a potential No. 1 NFL Draft pick. But behind Ray is a player, who may not get the same kind of pro consideration, but has been just as effective.

And in recent weeks, he’s been down right unstoppable.

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Senior Markus Golden continues to terrorizes opposing offenses with Texas A&M, Tennessee and Arkansas being his most recent victims.

In that crucial three-game stretch for the Tigers, Golden recorded 18 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, five quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles.

The key to Golden’s success late in the season has been the health of his hamstring.

Forced to sit out vs. Indiana, Golden was forced to watch the stunning Hoosiers upset from the sideline. He returned to the field just a week later, but his production wasn’t the same.

For a month, Golden wasn’t much of a factor for Missouri’s defense. He failed to record four solo tackles in a single game for five-straight games following the injury. In that same stretch, his speed was hobbled by that hamstring injury and he racked up just a half-sack.

It finally took Missouri’s second bye week at the beginning of November to get Golden back to 100 percent. And as evidenced by his production in Missouri’s final three games, a healthy hamstring has made all of the difference for one of Missouri’s top pass rushers and his hot streak is just in time for the Tigers’ biggest game of the season.

In a league where games are often won or lost in the trenches, you can bet that the SEC Championship will rely even more on the performances along the line of scrimmage.

Golden stands at 6-foot-3, 260-pounds, but he’s a freak athlete on the defensive line. His 6.5 sacks last year as a backup exemplified all of the pass rushing attributes he possessed, but his first season as a full starter has provided a more complete picture of just how dominant he can be.

Ray, Golden’s fellow lineman at Missouri, has stolen the headlines this season due to breaking the school record for sacks in the season, but the senior from St. Louis, Mo., has been right behind him in terms of production — 62 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, 16.0 tackles for loss, nine QB hurries and two forced fumbles.

“Their defense is very opportunistic, gets lots of turnovers,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban said. “They’re plus-9 in turnovers, so this is really pretty high. They have a lot of tackles for loss, lots of sacks Their front guys do a really good job. Shane Ray and Markus Golden are both guys that have created a lot of havoc up front for a lot of people this season.”

Golden’s best attribute, however, is the ability to make plays in the biggest moments. Against Tennessee, Golden had one sack and both of his quarterback pressures during third-down situations. In Missouri’s season-finale against Arkansas, Golden recovered Alex Collins’ fumble in the fourth-quarter as the Hogs were driving late in the game to potentially tie up the score.

His recovered fumble not only sealed the win for the Tigers, but clinched the school’s second consecutive SEC East title.

The senior pass rusher wanted a full season as a starter to display what he can do and he’s done just that. Golden gives credit for his improved play to defensive line coach Craig Kuligowski.

“[He’s helped me] in every way, I say,” Golden explained to the media on Monday. “Mostly just pass rushing moves. I came in as a linebacker. I knew how to rush the passer, but I didn’t know all about the pass rusher moves. Coach Kul was able to teach me a bunch of different pass rusher moves that I can use them for the rest of my career.”

Golden, along with Ray, anchor the entire Missouri defense. He’s the motor that gets the players going, he’s their senior leader. Saturday’s SEC Championship will no doubt be Golden’s opportunity to shine and a big play or two from him could easily ignite one of the conference’s top defensive units.

And with his recent hot streak, he’s giving Ray some stiff competition for top pass rusher on the team. Golden’s numbers before and after the hamstring injury suggest he’s a better producer than Ray, but there’s no question Missouri will need both playmakers on their game against the Crimson Tide.

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If Golden’s approach to this weekend is any indication, he’s confident he and the other players will be able to make some plays.

“We respect [Alabama],” Golden said, “but I’m going to be real with you. I respect Mizzou just like I respect Alabama. I feel we’re on the Alabama level.”

“We know [Alabama quarterback] Blake Sims is fast, but we’re fast enough to run him down.”