Missouri reached 10 wins for a second consecutive season, punctuating the 2024 campaign with a 27-24 win in the Music City Bowl over the Iowa Hawkeyes.
It was a tale of two halves for Missouri, as the Tigers got into a track meet with the Hawkeyes early.
Four touchdowns were scored in a nine-minute span, Iowa scoring on an eight play, 70-yard drive to open the scoring, followed by a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown. Missouri quarterback Brady Cook found receivers Theo Wease Jr. and Marquis Johnson for the Tigers’ scores. Cook was untouchable early in his final collegiate game, completing nine of his first ten passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns, while also leading the Tigers in rushing.
Iowa broke the 14-14 tie with just 49 seconds left in the first half, with running back Kamari Moulton punching in a one yard run to put Iowa up 21-14 at the break. Moulton carried the load for Iowa’s rushing attack with superstar back Kaleb Johnson opting out of the game, and filled in nicely, carrying the ball 14 times for 96 yards.
Missouri, already without their top two offensive talents (offensive tackle Armand Membou and wide receiver Luther Burden III) due to opt outs, also lost receiver Theo Wease Jr. to an upper body injury late in the first half. Wease looked unguardable at times in the first half, catching five passes for 75 yards and a touchdown before exiting. With Missouri turning to their depth and Iowa extending their lead to two scores, 24-14, late in the 3rd quarter, Missouri had to dig themselves out of a deep hole.
Cook cooled down, completing just one of his next 11 passes after his fast start. Missouri’s offense seemed dead in the water facing third and ten in their own territory, but Cook found Daniel Blood for a 17-yard completion on an out route, sparking the Tiger offense.
“We needed it, we were on a dry spell…” said Cook, “I’m super proud of him, he broke off his man and made a great catch.”
From that point, the Tigers rallied, playing complementary football across all three phases. On the next two plays, Cook connected with Johnson for passes of 44 and 12 yards respectively to put Missouri on the doorstep, and Joshua Manning finished the drive with a rushing touchdown on a jet sweep.
From that point on, Missouri’s defense strung together stops. Toriano Pride Jr. intercepted Iowa quarterback Brendan Sullivan, and Iowa’s offense was unable to get a first down for the rest of the game.
Special teams also stepped up as Blake Craig nailed two clutch field goals, from 52 and 56 yards respectively, re-setting Music City Bowl records for longest made field goal, and more importantly, giving Missouri the lead for good.
The nail in the coffin was a fourth down stop on a Sullivan quarterback sneak. Missouri took over on downs and won the game kneeling down on offense, with the ball in Brady Cook’s hands, this win being especially sweet for Cook and his coach.
“We won a championship today” said Cook.
“Third time we’ve won ten plus games in a season, and this is a launching point for Mizzou football…” said Coach Eliah Drinkwitz, “Our board, our athletic director, our boosters are all in on Mizzou football because of these guys.”
Missouri is slated to kick off the 2025 season on Aug. 30 at home against Central Arkansas.