January 6, 2024

By Macklin Frazzini

Photo by Maneater Staff

Brady Cook and Cody Schrader combined for 322 yards and 2 touchdowns while the defense finished the game with four sacks on the Ohio State’s offense.

Heading into the 2023 GoodYear Cotton Bowl Classic, Missouri had not won a bowl game since the 2015 Citrus Bowl and they were eager for a win against the 11-1 Ohio State Buckeyes. The Tigers had no players withdrawing from the bowl game, while Ohio State entered the game without star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and linebacker Tommy Eichenberg. 

The game started with heavy defense and slow offense for both sides, as both teams had three sacks in the first half. Missouri held Ohio State to 76 total yards to its 107, 84 of which were rushing. The only scoring the game saw through the first three quarters was a 44-yard field goal by the Buckeyes kicker Jayden Fielding in the first quarter.

Mid-way through the third quarter, Ohio State was looking to go up six to nothing with a 48-yard field goal attempt, but missed off the goal post. The scoring drought continued for both teams until Missouri’s rhythm was completely changed with an eight-play 94-yard touchdown drive at the end of the third quarter. With a minute and thirty seconds left in the third quarter, a 50-yard reception by Freshman Marquis Johnson was made to put Missouri on Ohio’s 15-yard line. Two penalties and a short run led into the start of the fourth quarter, where Cody Schrader sealed the huge play-off with a seven-yard rushing touchdown to put the Tigers up late. 

From there they didn’t look back, sealing the win with a touchdown pass to Luther Burden III with five minutes remaining in the game, winning the Cotton Bowl with a score of 14-3.

The Tigers are all smiles after concluding their triumphant 10-2 season with a New Year’s Six bowl game win. Cody Schrader became the hero in his final game as a Tiger before the NFL draft with a memorable 128 yards and a touchdown. From just a year ago, the future of the Missouri program seems to be entering into a completely new era. 

Edited by Chase Gemes | cgemes@themaneater.com

Copy edited by Grace Knight | gknight@themaneater.com