How did Brady Cook and Luther Burden propel Mizzou to a ranked victory?

Heading into the 2024 college football season, all the Mizzou hype centers around two of the team’s best players from recent years: Brady Cook and Luther Burden III. The St. Louis natives had career seasons in 2023, leading the Tigers to their best season in over a decade.

Cook threw for 3,317 yards last season, tossing 21 passing touchdowns and an impressive 8 rushing touchdowns — all career highs. Burden led the team with 86 catches, surpassing 1,200 yards, and adding 9 touchdowns. Expectations for both players have only risen heading into the 2024 season.

Through the first three games of the season, Mizzou has been impressive, blowing out opponents and starting with two shutouts before adding a 27-21 ranked vitcory this past week. Brady Cook has performed well, passing for over 200 yards in all three games.

What's interesting to note is the involvement of Heisman hopeful Luther Burden III, whose combined stats in the first two victories of the season were just 7 catches for 64 yards and a touchdown, along with a couple of rushing attempts for just over 20 yards and another score.

Today, however, was a completely different story. The Tigers knew they needed to play better football to take down a tough opponent in No. 24 Boston College, who had a hot start to the season. Mizzou executed its style on all sides of the ball, controlling the game, and coming away with a well-earned win. The offensive game plan came to fruition, with much of the credit going to the duo of Brady Cook and Luther Burden III.

The partnership dominated much of the box score, with Burden eclipsing 100 receiving yards on 6 catches and a touchdown. The 5’10”, 208-pound receiver was especially impressive after the catch. His longest play of the day was a 44-yard catch and run, with nearly 30 of those yards coming after the catch. Multiple times throughout the game, he caught short passes and showcased his ability to shift and dodge through defenders—a skill NFL scouts are sure to love.

Cook delivered his best performances of the fall to date, passing for over 260 yards and earning his highest quarterback and passer rating of the season. He also recorded a tough touchdown run on 3rd and goal, at a crucial moment when Mizzou was looking to regain momentum.

After starting the year with two blow-outs, it’s encouraging to see them come away with a win like this. They took down a tough opponent and played their traditional brand of offense, with both halves of their best duo shining. This performance gives them something to build on as they head into next week’s matchup against SEC rival Vanderbilt, in what will be their fourth straight home game to start the season.