Missouri quarterback James Franklin chose a big night to host his coming-out party.

With the roar of the opposing blackout crowd making the primetime road challenge more daunting, Franklin rose up, answered critics and put on an offensive show in leading Missouri to a two-touchdown fourth quarter comeback against Arizona State on Friday night.

The Tigers went on to lose the game in overtime, 37-30. What they didn’t lose, however, was faith in the new man behind center.

“The great thing is that he showed so much competitiveness,” coach Gary Pinkel said about his quarterback. “It was much more reaction for him (on Friday).”

Franklin’s competitiveness willed a Tigers team that, despite the deficit and a growing pile of injuries, refused to quit in the adverse environment of Sun Devil Stadium.

While Arizona State quarterback Brock Osweiler was busy performing his own display of 387 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns, Franklin matched him step-for-step. The Missouri quarterback was 26-of-42 passing for 319 yards and two touchdowns. He also added his signature rushing game, totaling 84 yards and a score on 27 carries.

Franklin also rose up when times were toughest to lead a Missouri offense back into a game that seemed to have gotten away early in the fourth quarter.

Down 30-16 early in the fourth quarter, Franklin took charge of the Missouri offense following a fumble in Arizona State territory. He uncorked a 25-yard strike to wide receiver L’Damian Washington with 12 minutes remaining to bring the Tigers within one score.

On the offense’s next possession, with the team down 30-23, Franklin marched the Tigers down the field again and hit tight end Michael Egnew on a fourth-down play for a 3-yard score. The touchdown tied the game at 30 with only 2:50 remaining in regulation.

Franklin led the Tigers into scoring range once more at the very end of regulation, but a missed field goal ended the hopes of a regulation victory.

Despite eventually falling in overtime, Franklin enjoyed engaging in his first offensive shootout.

“It’s definitely fun to get the ball downfield to the receivers,” he said.

The game came one week after Franklin’s debut, a 17-6 victory over Miami (Ohio). Franklin rated himself a “C- at best” after the game, as the Missouri offense was unimpressive for most of the contest.

According to his teammates, Franklin came a long way in the span of only a week.

“The first week, everybody is nervous,” running back Henry Josey said. “(Franklin) was more calm throughout the game on Friday.”

Calming down enabled Franklin to place more focus on his natural abilities, a lesson Pinkel has been adamant to teach to his newest quarterback.

“I told him a week ago, ‘The expressions on your face weren’t very good,’” Pinkel said. “There were a few more smiles after (Friday’s) game.”

The change was most evident in Franklin’s play.

“He’s a very talented guy, very poised,” Pinkel said. “As I’ve mentioned before, he has this personality as a quarterback. He can do what he does. He has the escape ability, the ability to extend plays. I expect him to continue to get better.”

Franklin remained determined that the performance was not his peak as a college quarterback.

“I know it wasn’t the best,” he said.