The Missouri Tigers win the Mayor’s Cup in big win on the road

Missouri Tigers quarterback Brady Cook (12). Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Missouri Tigers quarterback Brady Cook (12). Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Missouri Tigers came to play! Finally! Win, Win, Win, Win! These___ ain’t ___! Heeeeyyyya A dubya! A big dubya! In conference, against the South Carolina Gamecocks, on the road! M-I-Z! – Z-O-U!

Mizzou took home the Mayor’s Cup for the fourth consecutive season, winning 23-10. The Mayor’s Cup is awarded to one of the two SEC teams that call the city, Columbia, their home.

As we outlined in our previous writeup, the Missouri Tigers’ defense needed to continue their top-tier, jaw-breaking defense, and they did just that. The Mizzou defense held the South Carolina offense to only 10 points on just 203 total yards.

South Carolina entered the game hotter than a firecracker – winners of four straight games, including wins over Texas A&M and Kentucky.

Brady Cook very clearly, and defiantly owned the quarterback 1 position. Entering the game, there was much chatter about whom the Missouri Tigers would have under center moving forward. Cook finished 17 for 26, including 53 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown.

The Tigers have spent the season mired in heartbreak. Finally, Mizzou was able to put it all together and close. Not only did the Missouri Tigers close the game, but they also closed on individual drives. In the first quarter, Brady Cook led a drive of 96 yards on 15 plays, and then followed up with an 84-yard drive on 10 plays. The Tigers would add a 19-yard field goal, making it 17-0 in the second quarter.

The Gamecocks scored just before halftime, cutting Mizzou’s lead to 10. South Carolina would score first in the second half, making it a 17-10 game. The momentum appeared to be on the side of the Gamecocks. As the Missouri Tigers’ defense has done all year, they tightened up and took over the game.

That would cap the scoring for South Carolina. Missouri added two more field goals from Harrison Mevis. One from 32 yards and another from 50. The miss from the Auburn game aside, Mevis continues to show that he is one of the best kickers in college football.

Cody Schrader put the game away. On Missouri’s final drive of the game, Schrader rushed the ball on ten consecutive snaps, securing the win for Mizzou. A strong running game was a requirement for victory. The Tigers outrushed the Gamecocks 143 yards to only 32 from the home team.

This game was a culmination of several scattered pieces that finally came together. A healthy Missouri Tigers team won at all three levels – offense, defense, and special teams, proving they are a solid team from top to bottom when they execute. We have seen flashes, but this is our first glimpse of what Missouri can do when these guys play as a unit.

Eli Drinkwitz needed this win as much as anyone. This is Missouri’s first win against a ranked opponent since 2020. Winning on the road amongst the criticism, sticking to his guns as the play-caller, and trusting his gut, staying with Brady Cook at quarterback. A well-deserved win for Coach.

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