Missouri, the nation’s No. 1 red zone offense, made 54 of 55 attempts heading into the Cotton Bowl against Ohio State at AT&T Stadium. The problem Friday was not converting in the red zone, but getting there.
Trailing 3-0 with less than a minute left in the third quarter, the Tigers finally found themselves in the red zone, the first time either team had set foot in that area. Within seconds of the fourth frame, Cody Schrader scored a 7-yard touchdown rush to give Missouri a 7-3 lead. This touchdown drive flipped the scenario on its head for the Tigers, who forced a punt, scored a touchdown, and forced a fumble on the next three sequences for a 14-3 victory.
It was a complete change from the first half, when each team played defense. Missouri and Ohio State both had six punts, four penalties, only five first downs, and had a total of 48 passing yards at halftime.
By the final whistle, quarterback Brady Cook (later named the game’s Offensive MVP) had amassed 194 scrimmage yards. Schroder entered the day as the FBS leader in rushing yards per game with 124.9, but he improved on his averages and finished the day with 128 rushing yards and one TD.
Mizzou edge rusher Johnny Walker Jr. was named the game’s defensive MVP.
For the Buckeyes, freshman QB Lincoln Kienholtz, who took over in the second quarter after Devin Brown injured his ankle, completed 6-of-17 for 86 yards. Running back Treveyon Henderson added 72 yards on the ground and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka gained 63 yards through the air.
even deeper
Wasserman: How can Ohio State evaluate the QB position with incomplete data on Devin Brown?
Aside from star WR Marvin Harrison Jr. The AthleticWith the projected No. 2 draft pick, every Ohio State player who was both draft eligible and available chose to play. QB Kyle McCord, who started every game for the Buckeyes this season, was traded to Syracuse earlier this month.
Missouri players also did not opt out.
Brown, making his first start, injured his ankle in the first quarter. He briefly returned to the game, but his injury appeared to worsen as he was sacked less than a minute into the second quarter and left the field in obvious pain. He was then taken to the locker room but did not return to play. Brown previously injured his ankle on Oct. 21 against Penn State.
This win proves Missouri’s season was no fluke.
Although much of the game was spent exchanging punts and there were more yawns than cheers, Mizzou was the program to leave the AT&T Stadium field as the winner. It doesn’t matter if it’s not a pretty game to look at. The New Year’s Six Bowl victory over a blue blood program was a chef’s kiss for a Tigers football program looking to build something special. Mizzou’s win was proof that nothing happened this season, including a close loss to Georgia when the Tigers had a chance to win in the fourth quarter.
The best part? Cook is back. Wide receiver Luther Baden III, who made the game-clinching touchdown catch with 5 minutes, 12 seconds left, returns. And the Tigers made some big transfer portal wins in December, making sure this roster has the athleticism to do it again next year. — Ari Wasserman, Senior College Football Writer
even deeper
Vanini: Cotton Bowl win shows why Missouri has a shot at a 2024 playoff spot
Ohio State quarterback play blocked again
One of Ohio State’s weaknesses has been inconsistent quarterback play throughout the year, and when McCord hit the transfer portal, all eyes were on Brown.
The redshirt freshman lost the quarterback battle to McCord in the fall, but took over in early December when McCord left. But he played just three drives and completed 4 of 6 passes for 20 yards. He injured his ankle in the first quarter and was unable to return to the game, so Ohio State acquired Kienholtz, who was not ready for a game of this magnitude.
He played 19 snaps this season but never found his rhythm against Missouri State. Ohio State had just 106 passing yards in the game. That’s not enough.
A program known for having quarterback talent on and off the bench couldn’t get anything out of the passing game and lost to Missouri. Coach Ryan Day will need to sort things out this offseason, as poor quarterback play hampered this year’s roster prospects.
The three points are Ohio State’s lowest scoring total since a shutout loss to Clemson in the 2016 College Football Playoff. — Cameron Teague Robinson, Ohio Author
even deeper
Ryan Day at a crossroads: Ohio State coach under pressure to live up to QB’s reputation
If you need a bright spot, defensive end Jack Sawyer was dominant.
He was one of the biggest impact players on defense this year, but the sacks just weren’t stacking up. He received them in bundles on Friday. Sawyer finished the game with four tackles and three sacks, giving Cook a hard time throughout the game.
He will have to make a decision after this game about whether to go to the NFL or return to Ohio State. And while he has hinted at a return, this game will be a huge boost to his NFL Draft stock whenever he decides to go. — teague robinson
Must read
(Photo: Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire, Getty Images)