Missouri defensive tackle Chris McClellan (7) celebrates sacking Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne (1, back) in the third quarter of a game against Auburn on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, at Faurot Field in Columbia. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION)
Let’s close the notebook on Auburn, shall we?
I had some thoughts yesterday on Mizzou’s 21-17 win over Auburn. But I’m not done yet!
The only thing that matters is finding a way
Missouri defensive tackle Chris McClellan (7) celebrates sacking Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne (1, back) in the third quarter of a game against Auburn on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, at Faurot Field in Columbia. (CAL TOBIAS/ROCK M NATION)
“I don’t know how they found a way,” Eli Drinkwitz said after his team’s comeback win over Auburn. “I really don’t, but they never quit.”
“Just win,” could be the slogan of the 2024 season at this point. At no point in the first seven weeks has Mizzou looked anything close to its best. Yet here they sit, 6-1 and the whole world in front of them to play for. Mizzou finds a way. And when that way isn’t available, they find another. And when that one gets blocked off, they find another.
You can’t live like this forever, as Mizzou rudely found out two weeks ago in College Station. Eventually if you play below your best, you’re going to get got. But leading up to yesterday’s potentially momentum-shifting Homecoming win, the Tigers have only been got once. Every other time, they’ve displayed enough grit — tenacity? heart? luck? — to get the job done.
This is in large part thanks to a defense that’s much better than any of us expected it to be. Corey Batoon’s side of the ball has had exactly one, 60-minute-long hiccup, but has otherwise been rock solid. The team needed another grounded performance on Saturday, even when it looked like the offense was left for dead and Brady Cook was sitting in a hospital room with a ballooning ankle. The defense found a way.
The offense shouldn’t be overlooked either. After sputtering for the best part of three quarters under the emergency leadership of Drew Pyne, the playmakers were ready to rev into gear once Cook returned. Mookie Cooper’s 78-yard catch wasn’t exactly wide open; Cook threaded the ball between two defenders and Cooper made a calculated, angled run to maximize his yardage. Luther Burden, again frustrated by a whole defensive front’s focus on him, was ready to make two of the biggest catches of the day. Theo Wease, Jr., the ever-present safe hands, converted a massive third-and-long when it looked like the game-winning drive was stalling. The offense found a way.
Again, Mizzou wasn’t convincing. And again, it didn’t matter. They walk into their biggest road test of the year with all of their goals still on the table, all their dreams within reach. Maybe they won’t be as flashy or as “elite” as the 2007, 2013 or 2023 teams. Keep finding a way, and no one who wears black and gold will give a damn.
10 more spare thoughts…
Before anyone, including yourself, comes at Mizzou with a, “congrats, you beat 2-4 Auburn,” line, know this: Hugh Freeze may be a turd, but he’s got a much better team on his hands than people realize. Coming into this week, Auburn was rated No. 24 in SP+. That’s better than the following teams: BYU, Pittsburgh, Boise State, Illinois, Army, Navy… I could go on. Are they good? Obviously not, they’re 2-5. But they’re very talented and might be the best 2-5 team ever. It’s not as if Mizzou was handed another cupcake win on a platter.
Jamal Roberts, take a bow. With Nate Noel sidelined and Marcus Carroll struggling, the St. Louis native stepped in, delivered his always excellent pass-blocking and notched the decisive rushing touchdown. We’ve been excited about the potential of guys like Tavorus Jones and Kewan Lacy over the past few years, but Roberts has quietly made himself an indispensable part of the offense’s present… and maybe it’s future too!
College football is really funny. Brady Cook has been mostly fine for the majority of his senior season, with the lone exception being his accuracy on deep passes and balls over the middle of the field. After busting his ankle and leaving the game for three quarters, what does he do? Makes a miraculous return and throws three beautiful balls.
The deep ball to Burden was perfectly on the money, and was only broken up by an Auburn safety whose helmet got in the way. The next throw was high, but out of the reach of a few defenders trailing a Mizzou wide receiver who I can’t recall, but dropped it anyway. Then the pass to Mookie Cooper was a dart between the outstretched arms of two Auburn defenders. Let’s also not forget the ball to Luther Burden on fourth-and-five on the game-winning drive. Saving the vast majority of your best throws for a post-injury Homecoming comeback? Cheeky, cheeky.
I’ll be curious to see how Cook recovers this week. I’m not sure what they gave him at the hospital, but he looked strong and mobile upon his return, if a little less willing to run than he usually is. I imagine the adrenaline will wear off and he’ll be carrying a watermelon around on his foot for the next day or two. I also imagine it will take serious structural damage for Cook to not play against Alabama next weekend.
Speaking of Alabama! Raise your hand if, “Alabama drops out of the CFP conversation before Mizzou,” was on your bingo card. It’s hard to see a world where the Tide make it into the 12-team field with losses to Vanderbilt and Tennessee, and I’m fascinated to see how the team responds against Mizzou next weekend. Kalen DeBoer is a good coach, so I don’t think they’ll roll over. But coaching that program through five weeks of essentially meaningless football is going to be a slog. Mizzou could really put a nail in their coffin if they decide to finally find their A-game.
Eli Drinkwitz’s main assignment this week? Remind Kirby Moore that Luther Burden III still plays for the Missouri Tigers. Burden is unstoppable when Mizzou finds ways to get him the ball, yet Moore continues to struggle in that department.
Mr. Moore. Please. LET. THAT. MAN. COOK.
Daylan Carnell was rightfully getting a lot of love in our Rock M Slack channel, but let’s give some props to sophomore Marvin Burks, Jr. The local boy led the team with 10 tackles and is now up to 27 in his second year. Mizzou’s defense should continue to be a force into 2025 with guys like him in the fold.
The tears were flowing after this one, folks!
“Mizzou means so much to me.”
An emotional Brady Cook after @MizzouFootball‘s win against Auburn. pic.twitter.com/fXyIBf9Eg2
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 19, 2024
Very emotional #Mizzou football coach Eli Drinkwitz after today’s game ⤵️ QB Brady Cook got injured, went to the hospital, came back and won the football game…
“For all the criticism that young man takes, 12 sure would die on the field for everybody.”
I asked Coach Drink… pic.twitter.com/P7fitd37zF
— Nathalie Jones (@NathalieABC17) October 19, 2024
Pour one out for Blake Craig. He’s got a bright future ahead of him at Mizzou, but his accuracy is all over the place at this point. And Eli Drinkwitz seems to have no intention of stopping him from blasting balls all over the field. On second thought, pour one out for the crowds who may or may not have to duck and cover when Craig runs to kick!
If you’re still on Twitter, search, “hugh freeze,” for some good laughs. Enjoy!
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