PITTSBURG, Kan. (AP) -- The fierce face of a Kansas university's animal mascot will soon be appearing on specialty license plates issued by the state of Missouri.

Pittsburg State University says about 1,700 Kansas vehicles already carry specialty Kansas plates featuring the red and gold image of the gorilla.

The southeastern Kansas school says many of its nearly 10,000 graduates living in Missouri expressed interest in showing their gorilla pride the same way.

Johnna Schremmer, director of alumni and constituent relations, announced this week that more than enough applications were submitted for Missouri to begin making the plate. Schremmer expects Missouri's first Pittsburg State plates to be on the road within two to three months.