Missouri will be without one of its most experienced players for the first half of this season.

A.J. Logan, a senior nose tackle, will sit out the Tigers’ first six games this fall due to an ongoing NCAA academic fraud investigation. The news was announced in an official release from the athletics department following Saturday’s wild 72-43 victory over Missouri State.

Included in Saturday’s release was a statement from Logan.

“I am looking forward to representing Missouri on the football field as a senior this fall, however, I want to let Tiger fans know that I will not be playing during our first six games this season,” the statement read. “Please understand that I accept this penalty as a consequence of my actions and that I have fully cooperated with both the university and the NCAA throughout the review process.

“While I am saddened that I will miss six games of my senior year, I know in my heart that I have told the truth, cooperated with the University and NCAA, and taken full responsibility for my actions. I believe my integrity remains intact, and I am now focused on working hard in the classroom and on the field in the weeks ahead. I look forward to our team having a great season and am sorry that I will not be with my brothers early on, but I will continue to work with them and be prepared when I return.”

Logan will return to the field in time for Missouri’s game against Idaho on Oct. 21.

“I am proud of A.J. for being honest and transparent with our staff and the NCAA during this ongoing process,” Mizzou coach Barry Odom said in the release. “He has been forthright and cooperative throughout the entire review, and I look forward to watching him walk across the stage with his Mizzou degree in December. While he won’t be on the field for the first half of the season, I am confident he will be ready when he returns in mid-October.”

A key cog of the Tigers’ defensive line, Logan has started every game the past two seasons. He has appeared in 27 games during his college career, collecting 36 tackles.