Missouri has started the season with a 4-0 record, thanks in large part to the play of quarterback Brady Cook and wide receiver Luther Burden lll.
On Saturday, Missouri football traveled to St. Louis for the first time since 2010, playing at The Dome at America’s Center in a 34-27 win over Memphis. The game served as a homecoming for several players who grew up in the St. Louis area, including quarterback Brady Cook and wide receiver Luther Burden lll, Missouri’s dynamic elite offensive duo.
Neither Cook nor Burden are new to the Missouri football program, but both have emerged as top performers from their respective positions in the SEC this season. There is a substantial difference in Missouri’s 2023 team compared to the 6-7 2022 team, and Cook and Burden have played a huge part in that. Cook is no longer dealing with a torn labrum that undoubtedly affected his arm last season. Burden has simultaneously settled into Kirby Moore’s new Missouri offensive game plan, playing much more comfortably against opposing defenses.
Through four games, Cook has a 185.23 quarterback rating – No. 2 in the SEC – with a 72% completion rate and seven touchdowns, without an interception. He is tied with South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler for the longest gain of the season at 76 yards. One of the largest complaints of Cook’s performance last season was his ability to throw long passes down the field, but he has completely shifted to now being one of the SEC’s strongest-armed quarterbacks. To illustrate Cook’s improvement, he did not put up a 300-yard passing performance in the entire 2022 season but has done so twice within the last two weeks.
Missouri quarterback Brady Cook speaks with his coaches on the sideline during a game against Kansas State on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. Cook led his team to a 30-27 victory, throwing for 356 yards in the air and two touchdowns. (Photo by Cal Tobias)
This year, there was debate on whether Cook or redshirt freshman Sam Horn should be the starting quarterback for Missouri, but Cook has silenced those conversations with his play thus far.
However, those numbers would be impossible without having Burden as Cook’s No.1 offensive weapon. The sophomore is having an unbelievable 2023 season, leading the country as the highest-graded receiver in college football at 91.8. Burden is third in the SEC for receiving yards with 504 while averaging 15.8 yards per catch paired with three touchdowns. While Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. is likely the best receiver in college football, Burden is not far behind.
Burden’s ability to make plays out of nothing is nearly unparalleled, a simple check-down to him often results in gains of 15-plus yards. He consistently makes crucial plays in important situations whether it is a great pass from Cook or not, and he is likely to shake off defenders with ease after a catch. Burden is a spectacular talent, and running back Cody Schrader’s description of him as a “human joystick” is a fair assessment. Following Missouri’s win over Memphis, Burden talked about the connection he and Cook have.
“Me and Brady were on point tonight,” Burden said. “All the work we did in the spring is paying off.”
The work the duo put in during the offseason is indeed paying off, as Missouri is ranked No. 23 in the country with a 4-0 record, the first time for both stats since Eliah Drinkwitz became Missouri’s head coach.
On Cook’s leadership, “[He] just keeps everyone motivated and well composed,” Burden said.
Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III slices through the Memphis defense for the 1st down on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 at The Dome at America’s Center Stadium in St. Louis. Burden III recorded a total gain of 177 yards on ten receptions, his longest of which being a 56 yard reception (Photo by Logan Morris)
Even through Cook’s past struggles, his teammates and coach Drinkwitz have consistently praised the quarterback for his leadership and heart. Cook’s leadership may have rubbed off on Burden, who according to Schrader, has become another leader for Missouri this season.
“He’s an incredible athlete, but now he’s developing into a true leader of this offense,” Schrader said of Burden. “I think that’s one of the main reasons our offense is really starting to click now.”
With Cook and Burden playing at a high level while also playing connected on the field, Missouri could be a force to reckon with in the SEC. The team will only go as far as this offensive duo takes them, and with conference play emerging, it will be another test to see just how elite Missouri’s offense can be.
Copy Edited by Sterling Sewell | ssewell@themaneater.com
Edited by Sophie Rentschler | srentschler@themaneater.com