3 takeaways from Mizzou's come-from-behind win over Arkansas
Mizzou and Arkansas played a rare snowy game in the SEC on Saturday. Faurot Field was blanketed with snow on Saturday morning and into the early afternoon. It needed to be cleared off for the teams to play in the Battle Line Rivalry matchup.
Mizzou has had the Razorbacks’ number throughout this rivalry, but Saturday was a close battle.
Arkansas took a 21-20 lead late in the 4th quarter, forcing Mizzou to attempt a game-winning drive. The Tigers crossed midfield, and senior QB Brady Cook was up to the task. He led the Tigers down the field, running it in for a touchdown and throwing for the 2-point conversion to give Mizzou a 28-21 lead.
A last-second Hail Mary from Arkansas fell short and the Tigers escaped with the 28-21 victory over their SEC rivals. Mizzou improves to 9-3 with the win, while the Razorbacks finish 6-6.
Here are our 3 biggest takeaways from Saturday’s snow-covered game at Faurot Field:
1. Snow games are awesome
First of all, what a scene in CoMo. We don’t get snowy games in the Southeastern Conference very often, so when we do have them, they’re to be cherished.
Here’s a look at the conditions pregame:
THIS is football weather #Mizzou pic.twitter.com/qWPHeqG6Xh
— Nathalie Jones (@NathalieABC17) November 30, 2024
That’s just old-school, smash-mouth football conditions. And the teams were up to the task, too, combining for 82 rushing attempts compared to 55 passes.
More snow games, please.
2. Brady Cook continues to write his fairytale ending
The Tigers’ senior quarterback has had a season to remember. On Homecoming, he had to go to the hospital after suffering an injury. But he returned to lead an stunning comeback against Auburn.
In this game, the Tigers were on the ropes late in the fourth quarter when he decided to put on his superhero cape once again. Here’s the game-deciding TD run:
https://twitter.com/SECNetwork/status/1863009982628696164
He didn’t have his best game. He isn’t having his best season. But my goodness, when the Tigers need him, the St. Louis native is stepping up and giving his all for the school he loves.
As a Mizzou alum, it gives me chills thinking about the senior year he’s having.
3. The Tigers need to get the ball to Luther Burden more often
I’ve been writing about this all year. Why would you not get the ball to your best player as often as possible?
LB3 didn’t have a single touch in the game on Saturday until the final Missouri drive. That’s… insane. What is OC Kirby Moore doing?
I know it was snowy, but Burden is just as dangerous in the run game as he is as a receiver. You have to get him the ball.
To have a first-round NFL Draft pick and let him finish his likely last game at Faurot Field with 1 catch for 11 yards is inexcusable.
Happy for the win and very happy for Brady Cook. But where was the passing for the first 3 quarters?
Awesome game from Mizzou. Overcame some serious issues, pulled out some amazing play calls, and manufactured a win when we had every reason to give it away. Thank you to Brady Cook for being one of the Mizzou GOATs. He may not be the most talented but he’s got more guts than anyone sitting in the stands. Drink is paving the way for him to be the GOAT Mizzou coach. Luther may be the actual GOAT Mizzou player. Wish we would’ve targeted him more this year to prove it. Amazing season, Tigers. I feel disappointed that we’re not in the CFP, but I realize how blessed I am as a Mizzou fan for feeling disappointed about missing a chance for the title.
Here’s to a great season. MIZ!!!
Don’t say Luther Burden needs anything except to end the season healthy. Every snap of the ball he is risking a loss of 50 million dollars over his first half decade in the NFL. He’s doing everything possible to stay off the field and he’s smart to do so. Missouri should have receivers on the roster that need touches or need to be cut loose either way playing them is a helpful discrimination.
Ridiculous. Name one player in the past five years that got injured in last game or bowl game. Not playing in a bowl is disrespectful to your teammates, coaches and fans. And it’s a great place to showcase your talents. Burden didn’t have a great game (PF and dropped passes). He still needs to prove himself to NFL scouts.
If Burden is healthy however, by all means get him on the field
That was about the perfect last-ever game at Faurot Field a player could have, especially for Cook. Honestly, Brady Cook was about the only reason I had any confidence that something good could still happen after Arkansas took the lead with 2 minutes left or whatever. No Cook, no chance. One Bowl Game left and there’s not one single shred of doubt he’s gonna play, he’s just predictable like that and it’s awesome.
Also about Luther’s touches, he had a drop or two in the game so it’s not like he wasn’t in the game plan. As far as having him run it, our run game between the tackles has been so good lately they obviously figured to just stick with what’s working as opposed to handing it of to Burden on stretch plays side-to-side. Idk, a win is a win.