The 2023 Tigers Big Game.
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| Grit of a Tiger |
But by the end of the third quarter, something had changed for the Missouri offense. The Ohio State defense was worn out as their offense was equally ineffective, punting on six of their last seven drives since scoring a field-goal in the first quarter.
"We knew they couldn't put any points on the board, we just knew we had to make something happen on offense to get some momentum," Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III said.
With 4:25 left in the third quarter, Missouri started a drive at their own five yard line, still looking for any sign of life on offense. The drive began with the strength of running back Cody Schrader, who ran for 10 yards to give his offense some space. Schrader's success opened up the Missouri passing game. Cook threw a 50-yard pass to freshman wide receiver Marquis Johnson for the longest play of the game.
"We just needed a spark to get us going and Marquis Johnson, he provided that with the big play, got us some momentum and we took off from there," Burden said.
Three plays after Johnson's catch, Schrader scored Missouri's first touchdown of the game on a seven-yard run. After another stop by the Missouri defense, the Tigers had the opportunity to seal the game with 11 minutes remaining. Using Schrader to run down the clock, Missouri went on their longest drive of the night, going 13 plays for 91 yards and finishing with a seven-yard receiving touchdown from Burden. After failing to score on the first nine drives, Missouri scored touchdowns on two straight ones when it counted the most.
"The offense showed grit," Cook said. "We just kept grinding. We looked up, it's fourth quarter, and we have zero points. But what are you going to do? We were moving the ball. We were confident. We still trusted the game plan. Still trusted the calls that were coming in. And we trusted each other. So, when we scored 14 in the fourth, it was no surprise to us."
The game's outcome now depended on the Missouri defense to finish off Ohio State. But while the Ohio State defense collapsed, the Missouri defense kept playing strong. Junior defensive back Daylan Carnell sacked quarterback Lincoln Kienholz, forcing a fumble that defensive end Joe Moore recovered, putting the game away.
"But the story of the game is how hard our defense played," Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz said. "They never gave up. They never pointed fingers. They stuck together, and then our offense just kept growing their grit."
The Tigers defense limited the Buckeyes to just 203 total yards and had 10 tackles for loss. Junior defensive end Johnny Walker Jr. was named the game's most outstanding defensive player of the game after causing a strip-sack in the first half.
The Missouri defense could have been frustrated when their offensive teammates were not doing their part in the first three quarters. Instead, the team stayed together as one unit, a reflection of the team's special bond.
"We're a bunch of wilderness brotherhood guys who stick together, fight together, find a way to love each other and have each other's back," Drinkwitz said. "And I knew at any point - I mean, in the locker room, these guys will tell you, I was telling them, we are right where we want to be. Let's just go win the game. They believed in us."
The 2023 Missouri team plays for each other. The idea of playing for the name on the front of the jersey and not the one on the back is more than a slogan to this team.
This was demonstrated in the actions of two veteran members of Missouri's team in defensive back Kris Abrams-Draine and defensive end Darius Robinson.
Cook said, “This game was a huge achievement for the 2023 Tigers, who finished an amazing season with the players who decided to stay on for another year rather than join the NFL. It means a lot to them and their cohort. But it also benefits our team for next year, the ones who are returning for a final run, the coaches, the bond we share. This will only boost our confidence.” GROW YOUR GRIT
