Missouri’s football team concluded a remarkable 11-win season with an exceptional triumph in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl, clinching a 14-3 victory against the formidable No. 7 Ohio State at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The game featured a unique twist as the first half remained scoreless, an unusual occurrence for a team led by Coach Eli Drinkwitz. Nevertheless, the No. 9 Tigers showcased their resilience in the second half.

Entering the third quarter trailing 3-0, Missouri encountered a challenging scenario marked by struggles in third-down conversions and a mere 112 yards gained. However, an inspiring comeback unfolded in the fourth quarter, as the team orchestrated consecutive touchdown drives spanning over 90 yards each, ultimately securing the prestigious Cotton Bowl championship.

A standout performance came from sixth-year senior running back Cody Schrader, recognized as a consensus All-American. Schrader not only contributed significantly to the victory but also etched his name in the Tigers’ history books by setting a new single-season rushing record with an impressive 128 yards on 29 carries. This achievement surpassed the previous record held by Tyler Badie in 2021.

The offensive MVP of the game, quarterback Brady Cook, played a pivotal role with 66 rushing yards on 19 attempts and completed 11 of 18 passes for 128 yards, including a crucial touchdown. The turning point occurred when Cook executed a precise 7-yard touchdown pass to Luther Burden III, securing a commanding 14-3 lead.

Ohio State faced adversity, missing their starting quarterback Kyle McCord (transferred to Syracuse) and Biletnikoff Award winner Marvin Harrison Jr. (opted out). The situation worsened when backup Devin Brown left the game in the second quarter due to injury, leading to the unexpected entry of true freshman Lincoln Kienholz.

The Tigers’ defense played an instrumental role in the victory, delivering a magnum opus performance. The culmination of this success saw Coach Drinkwitz being celebrated with a Gatorade dunk, symbolizing Missouri’s triumph as the new Cotton Bowl champions.

Final Score:
– First Quarter: Missouri 0, Ohio State 3
– Second Quarter: Missouri 0, Ohio State 0
– Third Quarter: Missouri 0, Ohio State 0
– Fourth Quarter: Missouri 14, Ohio State 3

Key Moments and Highlights:
– 10:04 p.m.: Cook’s 7-yard touchdown pass to Burden secures a 14-3 lead for Missouri.
– 9:42 p.m.: Schrader’s 7-yard touchdown run puts Missouri ahead 7-3 early in the fourth quarter.
– 8:40 p.m.: Ohio State takes a 3-0 lead with a 44-yard field goal by Jayden Fielding.
– 7:13 p.m.: Missouri forces an early three-and-out, setting the tone for the game.

This victory served as a spectacular conclusion to Missouri’s 11-win season, emphasizing their resilience and determination in overcoming challenges on their path to success.