Missouri Tigers football grades: Analysis from Mizzou’s senior day win vs. Arkansas

In his last game at Faurot Field, quarterback Brady Cook was the hero for the Mizzou Tigers, just as he’s been at various points throughout his storied college tenure.

Cook ran in a 30-yard touchdown with under two minutes left to give Mizzou the lead in the snowy senior day showdown against Arkansas.

Here’s how we graded the Tigers in the 28-21 win…

Missouri offense

It wasn’t Cook’s greatest game by any means, going 10-for-20 for 168 yards through the air without a passing touchdown, but the senior ran for 63 yards across 12 carries.

And, of course, he provided the big play at the end when the Tigers needed it most. On the last drive for Mizzou, Cook led a 75-yard drive that resulted in that winning touchdown.

Marcus Carroll scored the other two touchdowns for Mizzou, running for 90 yards across 22 carries as the Tigers heavily relied on the run against the Razorbacks. They tallied 47 carries compared to Cook’s 20 passing attempts.

While the run game ultimately paid off, the offense was quiet for most of the day. Mizzou entered the fourth quarter with just 10 points.

Grade: C

Missouri defense

The Tigers took advantage of two Razorback fumbles, and the offense turned both of those opportunities into touchdowns on the following possession. The defense being able to provide those opportunities kept the Tigers in this game, as coach Eli Drinkwitz said the defense was the difference in the win.

“Our defense’s ability to force turnovers, I think, was the difference in this game,” Drinkwitz said.

Grade: A

Missouri special teams

Blake Craig went 2-for-2 on field goal attempts from 28 and 34 yards, and Luke Bauer punted four times for 153 yards.

Grade: A

Area of improvement

As the Tigers await their bowl fate, they’ll need to work on starting faster.

The Tigers had their fair share of wins this season go down to the final few plays. They entered the fourth quarter on Saturday with just 10 points.

The Mizzou faithful would certainly breathe easier if a faster start put the Tigers ahead early on.

Player of the game

It’s only fitting that Cook is the player of the game for his last game in Columbia.

“It’s going to be hard to be the head coach without him,” Drinkwitz said. “I’m appreciative to have one more game with him just because you knew what you were getting. You knew the toughness you were going to get, you knew the determination and the preparation.

“I mean, just an incredible will to win, which you saw at the end there.”