In a stunning upset, the No. 9 Missouri Tigers stunned the No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes 14-3 in the 88th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, showcasing resilient defense and a late offensive onslaught to secure their fourth 11-win season in program history.
The Tigers’ defense dominated the contest, limiting the Buckeyes to a mere 203 total yards and registering four quarterback sacks. Defensive MVP Johnny Walker Jr. led the charge with 1.5 sacks, constantly applying pressure on the OSU offense.
Trailing 3-0 late in the third quarter, Missouri’s offense roared to life. Quarterback Brady Cook, named offensive MVP, orchestrated two consecutive touchdown drives. The first, a 95-yard march, culminated in a seven-yard touchdown run by Cody Schrader, who dragged two OSU defenders into the endzone. A 49-yard play-action pass from Cook to Marquis Johnson sparked the drive.
Undeterred, the Tigers’ offensive dominance continued after forcing an OSU punt. Starting from their own nine-yard line, Missouri marched 91 yards for another score. Cook’s surgical passing, including a 30-yard connection to Theo Wease Jr., combined with Schrader’s powerful runs and a crucial fourth-down conversion, led to a seven-yard touchdown pass to Luther Burden III, putting the Tigers ahead 14-3.
Cook showcased his dual-threat abilities all game, completing 11-of-18 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown, while adding 66 yards rushing. Schrader, with 128 yards on 29 carries and a touchdown, extended his Mizzou-record streak of consecutive games with a rushing touchdown to 10, finishing the season with a program-record 1,627 rushing yards.
The game’s defining moment came on Ohio State’s final possession, when Daylan Carnell’s sack and forced fumble, recovered by Joe Moore III, sealed the Tigers’ victory. With this triumph, Missouri improved its all-time bowl record to 16-20 and secured its first bowl win since 2015.
Coach Eliah Drinkwitz celebrated his first bowl victory in his four-year MU career, capping off the Tigers’ third consecutive Cotton Bowl triumph. The historic win also marked Missouri’s first victory over the Buckeyes since 1976, elevating their bowl record against Big 10 opponents to 3-2.
Looking ahead, the Tigers set their sights on the 2024 season opener, where they will host the Murray State Racers on Faurot Field on August 31. Missouri fans can anticipate an exciting season, fueled by the momentum of their Cotton Bowl triumph and the promise of more memorable moments on the horizon.
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