By Bob Priddy, Missourinet Contributing Editor
(MIZ)—The Iowa Hawkeyes won the first half of the Music City Bowl yesterday. Unfortunately for them there are two halves in football games and this year’s Missouri Tigers had a habit of winning the second half—and the game. The 27-24 win over Iowa yesterday was Missouri’s fourteenth come from behind victory in their 21 wins in the last two years k, In nine of those games then trailed at the half.
Place Kicker Blake Craig tied the game at 24 with a Bowl record 51-yard field goal and then broke the record to provide the winning points with a 56-yarder with 4:36 left.
Missouri had never led and trailed 24-10 with five minutes to play in the third quarter.
Iowa dominated the first half, with three touchdowns—one coming on a 102 yard kickoff return by wide receiver Kaden Wentjen—when their running game was clicking. Iowa had racked up 195 yards of offense, averaging 7.5 yards per play in the first half. But Missouri adjusted at halftime and held Iowa to just 102 yards and an average of 3.4 yards per play in the second half. The Hawkeyes had only six first downs in the second half after getting eleven in the first thirty minutes.
“We knew at halftime if we could just contain the quarterback run, we would be okay,” said Coach Drinkwitz. “ Obviously Toriano [Pride Jr.] with the big interception. Blake going in there and making the kick to tie the game. Then obviously Brady leading us back down there to get the other one.”
Cook had his best passing game of the year—287 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 54 yards.
Defensive End Johnny Walker Jr. went into the game with the nation’s longest active sack streak and had a crucial sack for a big loss when Iowa tried to rally back for a tying field goal or a winning touchdown. He finishes with seven-game streak of having at least half a sack in each game.
The game was the end of the Brady Cook era at Mizzou. He leaves with the third most passing yardage and fourth in career completions. He’s the first Tiger quarterback to start four consecutive bowl games. His 27th win in 41 games ranks second only to Chase Daniels, who had thirty victories.
He needed 46 yards to pass Drew Lock in bowl game passing yards. He needed 76 to equal Chas Daniel and 129 to equal Blaine Gabbert’s record of 725 bowl game passing yards. He is done at Mizzou with that record all to himself.
Missouri gave Iowa plenty of time to come back after taking the 27-24 lead but an interception stopped one Iowa drive and sack by Walker, then Corey Flagg Junior’s leap over the blocking lineman to get to Iowa quarterback Brendan Sullivan kept the Hawkeyes from converting a four-and-inches in the final minute.
Missouri finished 10-3 and next year will try to finish with a double-figure win total for he first time in the 130-year history of Tiger football. The win is the second straight against a Big 10 team.
The next time we see the Missouri Tiger football team in a regular-season game will be next August 30, playing Central Arkansas. Cook’s likely successor is Beau Pribula, who was a backup at Penn State this year, although Sam Horn, who was out this year after Tommy John surgery could contend.
What’s next for Cook? What are his possibilities in the NFL. He’s not considered a top ten quarterback in pre-draft ratings. But those do ratings think he’ll be drafted late on the third day, maybe in the seventh round. His arm isn’t strong enough for NFL long passes but he draws praise for his running speed, his intelligence, and his experience in a pro-style offense that fcuses on short and medium passes make him—as one analyst put it—“an intriguing developmental project” who could “carve out a role as a reliable clipboard holder.”
Missouri has a good track record of clipboard holders. Chase Daniel and a long and lucrative career is QB2. Gabbert and Drew Lock are other examples. Lock has emerged from the sidelines with the New York Giants in recent weeks. Sunday he threw for 309 yards and four touchdowns in the Giants’ first home win of the year, 45-33, over the Indianapolis Colts.
The win, however, disappointed some Giants’ fans because it takes the Giants out of the running for the first draft choice in a few weeks. (ZOU)
(CHIEFS)—-The Chiefs and the Broncos wrap up their seasons next weekend and each has a different motivation. The Chiefs are going to rest their regulars after finishing a tough schedule leading up to their Christmas dominance of the Steelers. They’ll probably start with backup Carson Wentz under center. It will be his 93rd game in the NFL. He’s 47-45-1 in his career.
Denver will be fighting to get into the playoffs with a win or a tie.
Kansas City has locked up the number one seed that entitles them to a first -ound bye in the opening week of the playoffs and then playoff games on their home field until the Super Bowl.
Denver must win to make the playoffs. If they win, the Bengals are out. The Bengals started poorly but are peaking. They would be a stiffer challenge than Denver—Joe Burrows is the only active quarterback to beat Kansas City in a playoff game.
The Chiefs, too, appear to be peaking and will be well-rested for the playoffs. Some players who have been sidelines or limited during the season are coming back just in time. Some remain question marks: Mecole Hardman, who suffered an ankle injury in week seven
While it’s still too early to officially know whether star players will suit up for Week 18, there is some clarity elsewhere entering the club’s regular-season finale.
Isaiah Pacheco suffered a rib injury in the Christmas game. Coach Reid says it’s not serious but the team is going to be cautious. Reid says, “He’s tender. I’ll probably hold hm back here this week just a bit so he can be fresh and ready to go.”
0-0