The Mizzou to Bowling Green quarterback pipeline lives on.
Four years after former Missouri Tigers quarterback Connor Bazelak transferred out of Columbia, quarterback Drew Pyne will share a similar path, heading to Bowling Green, Kentucky, to compete for the starting job after Bazelak officially exhausts his eligibility at the conclusion of the 2024 season.
After spending just one season at MU, Pyne will make his fourth collegiate stop, this time at a program with far fewer resources but with more opportunity to seek playing time.
NEWS: Former Missouri quarterback Drew Pyne is transferring to Bowling Green, he told ESPN. Pyne started his career and Notre Dame (2020-22), transferred to Arizona State (2023) before playing at Missouri last year. He’s 9-3 overall as a starter and has two years of eligibility. pic.twitter.com/O9hQN1Hhz6
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 7, 2025
Pyne spent his first two seasons backing up Ian Book and Jack Coan, and was able to maintain all of his eligibility thanks to the COVID season and a redshirt year.
The New Canaan, Connecticut native made his mark in 2022 at Notre Dame in his third year of college football, despite losing a quarterback battle to Tyler Buchner heading into the season.
Despite Buchner winning the job over Pyne, Buchner suffered a season-ending injury in just the second game of the season. Pyne took the reins and never looked back, finishing with an 8-2 record as the starter and surpassing 2,000 yards through the air.
In the offseason, Pyne sought out a new home and found a taker in Arizona State. Unfortunately, Pyne only appeared in two games for the Sun Devils, as he was plagued by injuries. He was granted a medical redshirt and elected to take his talents to Columbia, Missouri, ahead of the 2024 campaign.
In his lone season at Mizzou, Pyne certainly had his moments. Despite backing up Brady Cook, Pyne quickly immersed himself in the Tigers' tight-knit brotherhood.
Pyne made six appearances at Mizzou, with his lone start coming in a rivalry game against the Oklahoma Sooners. He delivered a special moment for MU, leading his team to a 30-23 comeback victory.
After electing not to transfer during the fall window, Pyne's role with Mizzou heading into next season came into question. The Tigers added Penn State transfer Beau Pribula, who appears to be in line for the starting job, with Sam Horn and freshman Matt Zollers both slated to see reps in a jam-packed quarterback room.
Pyne still holds two years of eligibility, and he'll look to rekindle some of his 2022 magic at Bowling Green. It'll be interesting to see if Pyne can win the starting job, especially considering his decision to transfer during the spring window.
Despite just one season at Mizzou, Pyne will certainly be remembered by Tigers faithful for his performance against Oklahoma, and the lack thereof against Alabama and Auburn.