Heading into the Liberty Bowl against Oklahoma State on Monday, the Missouri Tigers had a lot of momentum, having won four-straight games coming in.

However, after halftime, the Cowboys surged to a 35-16 lead and things were looking bad for senior QB Drew Lock and the Tigers, who were abysmal on defense for much of the first three quarters.

The Tigers made it close late, but came up just short in the 38-33 loss to the Cowboys. There were plenty of reasons for the loss, though. Here’s a look at what happened in the Tigers’ loss to the Cowboys on Monday:

Third-down struggles early

The Mizzou defense turned things around in the second half of the season, thanks in large part to an improved secondary and the ability to get off the field on third down. That all went out the window on Monday.

The secondary gave up several big plays in third-and-long situations, which can be completely demoralizing for the rest of the defense.

Throw the ball, Dooley!

Yes, the Mizzou offense was one of the most-balanced units in the country this year, but against a team that struggles in pass defense like Oklahoma State, airing it out (especially with one of the best quarterbacks in the nation) makes sense.

First-year OC Derek Dooley failed to adjust, though, sticking with the running game even when the Tigers needed quick scores and with the Cowboys missing two starters in the secondary. Dooley got completely out-coached by Oklahoma State OC Mike Yurcich, and it cost the Tigers a chance at a ninth victory.

Plus, that final play call to have Lock on a keeper without even a pass option? Woof.

Have a day, Cam Hilton!

What a way for the senior defender to go out. Oklahoma State QB Taylor Cornelius threw two bad interceptions, both of which landed in Hilton’s hands. Here was the worst of the two:

Those were huge second-half plays to help revitalize the defense, which had struggled all day long.

What are you doing, Barry??

When the Tigers hit a long pass to Memphis-native Johnathon Johnson to cut the score to 35-25, the offense started lining up to go for two points. Odom called a timeout, though, and then brought in the extra-point team.

Um… what? That made no sense. First, he wasted a timeout in a tight game. Tucker McCann probably could have made an extra point even if he was backed up five yards. Second, the extra point did nothing for them. The difference between nine and 10 points in the fourth quarter isn’t much, as it’s still a two-possession game.

A very questionable call by the Mizzou head coach.

Ref with an assist

The refs seem to have it out for the Tigers this year. After a block from an official led to a touchdown against Georgia earlier this year, it happened once again against the Cowboys, as you can see here.

Nice catch by Kendall Blanton

Blanton hasn’t gotten a ton of action this year, as fellow TE Albert Okwuegbunam has become a star. However, with Albert O out with an injury, Blanton made the most of his extended action, including snagging this incredible touchdown:

It was a great way for the senior to go out, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get an NFL look next summer.

Rough start to second half

The Tigers gave up 14 points to the Cowboys in the first five minutes of the third quarter, watching their 16-14 lead become a 28-16 deficit. A turnover proved costly, but the defense didn’t do its part in slowing down the Oklahoma State offense, either. By the end of the third quarter, it was 35-16 in favor of the Cowboys.

Drew Lock putting some good film together

The Mizzou quarterback is expected to be one of the first quarterbacks off the board in the 2019 NFL Draft, and Monday’s broadcasters mentioned his draft stock early and often. This third-down conversion in the third quarter will certainly stand out to NFL scouts watching the film:

Lock made a number of big throws in his finale as a Tiger, and he’ll be remembered in Columbia for a long time to come.