Missouri, boasting the most impressive red-zone offense in the nation, successfully converted an astounding 54 out of 55 attempts leading up to the highly anticipated Cotton Bowl showdown against Ohio State at the iconic AT&T Stadium. On Friday, the challenge wasn’t just about scoring in the red zone but rather about reaching that crucial area of the field.
Down by three points with less than a minute left in the third quarter, the Tigers finally made their way into the red zone, marking the first time either team had reached that area of the field.
Missouri took the lead 7-3 with a 7-yard touchdown rush by Cody Schrader early in the fourth quarter. The Tigers completely turned the game around with an impressive touchdown drive.
From there, they dominated the field, forcing their opponents to punt, scoring another touchdown, and even forcing a fumble in the next three sequences. This incredible performance led them to a well-deserved 14-3 victory.
The second half brought about a remarkable change, as both teams relied heavily on their defensive prowess. Missouri and Ohio State put on a display of defensive prowess in the first
half, with both teams racking up six punts, four penalties, and a mere five first downs. The passing game was a struggle for both sides, as they combined for a meager 48 yards through the air.
At the end of the game, quarterback Brady Cook, who was crowned the offensive MVP, managedto amass an impressive 194 scrimmage yards. Schrader, the frontrunner in the FBS for rushing yards per game, continued his impressive performance today. He added to his already impressive average, tallying 128 rushing yards and scoring a touchdown.
Johnny Walker Jr., the standout edge rusher from Mizzou, emerged as the game’s defensive MVP.
In a turn of events, the Buckeyes saw freshman QB Lincoln Kienholz take the reins in the second quarter following Devin Brown’s unfortunate ankle injury. Kienholz completed six of his 17 passes, accumulating a total of 86 yards. TreVeyon Henderson showcased his impressive skills on the ground, accumulating an impressive 72 yards. Meanwhile, Emeka Egbuka proved
to be a valuable asset in the passing game, racking up an impressive 63 yards through the air.
In addition to the standout wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who is highly regarded as The Athletic’s projected second overall draft pick, every eligible and willing Ohio State player made the decision to take the field. Syracuse recently welcomed QB Kyle McCord, who had been a consistent starter for the Buckeyes this season, as their newest addition to the team.
Not a single player from Missouri decided to opt out, showing their dedication and commitment to the game.
Brown suffered an ankle injury early in the game during his debut start. After briefly returning to the game, he unfortunately took a sack early in the second quarter, exacerbating his injury and forcing him to leave the field in visible pain. After being escorted to the locker room, he was unable to make a comeback on the field.
Brown suffered an ankle injury during the game against Penn State on October 21st. Missouri’s victory solidifies their season as anything but a fluke. Despite a lackluster game with plenty of punts and minimal excitement, it was Mizzou who emerged victorious, walking off the
field at AT&T Stadium as the triumphant team.
Regardless of the lack of aesthetic appeal, the Tigers’ victory in a New Year’s Six Bowl against a prestigious program was the perfect culmination for a football program that is striving to create something extraordinary. The victory
by Mizzou serves as undeniable evidence that this season was no fluke, even considering their narrow defeat against Georgia, where the Tigers had a real shot at victory in the final quarter.
And the best part? Cook is making his return. Luther Burden III, the wide receiver who secured victory with a crucial touchdown catch at the 5:12 mark, will be returning to the team. The Tigers
secured several impressive transfer portal victories in December, bolstering their roster with exceptional athleticism to ensure another successful year ahead.
Once again, Ohio State’s quarterback play proves to be a hindrance. Throughout the season, Ohio State has struggled with inconsistent quarterback play. With
McCord’s departure, all attention shifted to Brown as the potential solution.
In a surprising turn of events, the redshirt freshman found himself thrust into the spotlight as the starting quarterback in early December.
This opportunity arose after McCord, who had initially won the quarterback battle in the fall, departed from the team. It’s a testament to the freshman’s
resilience and determination to step up and lead the team in the face of adversity. In just three drives, he managed to complete 4-of-6 passes for 20 yards. After sustaining an ankle injury in the opening quarter, he was unable to continue playing, leaving Ohio State with no choice but to turn to Kienholz, who clearly wasn’t prepared for the intensity of this high-stakes match.
Kienholz had a mere 19 snaps this season and failed to find his groove against Missouri. The passing game of Ohio State was limited to just 106 yards in the game. That performance falls
far short of expectations.
In a disappointing turn of events, a program renowned for its exceptional quarterback talent throughout the roster suffered a defeat against Missouri due to its inability to generate any significant contributions from its passing game. Coach Ryan Day faces a crucial offseason as he looks to address the quarterback issues that hindered the team’s potential this year.
Ohio State’s offensive struggles were evident in their latest game, as they were only able to put up three points on the scoreboard. This marks their lowest scoring performance since their
shutout loss to Clemson in the 2016 College Football Playoff.
Jack Sawyer’s exceptional performance on the fieldIn a truly impressive display, defensive end. Jack Sawyer showcased his dominance on the field.
He has emerged as a key player on the defense this season, although his sack numbers may not be as high as expected. He scored multiple goals on Friday. Sawyer’s performance in the
game was truly impressive, as he recorded four tackles and three sacks. He consistently posed a challenge for Cook throughout the entire game.
After this game, a crucial decision awaits him: whether to pursue a career in the NFL or return to Ohio State. The outcome of this game will undoubtedly shape his future. With his return still uncertain, this game holds immense significance for his NFL draft prospects whenever he
ultimately makes his decision.
