The ninth-ranked Tigers secured a 14-3 win over No. 7 Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, securing an 11-win season. The Tigers, led by All-America running back Cody Schrader, scored on consecutive drives after punting eight times before. Ohio State, undefeated before losing its regular-season finale to Michigan, played without two-time All-America receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and starting quarterback Kyle McCord. Devin Brown, who took over as starter, left the game with an apparent left ankle injury, resulting in only 203 total yards.
Missouri’s Tigers secured their fourth consecutive win, marking the first time since 2014 that the team has won 11 games. The Tigers’ first drive was a 95-yard drive, with Schrader scoring his 14th touchdown. The Tigers then went 91 yards in 13 plays, including a 2-yard plunge for Burden’s score. Brown, who appeared injured, returned when the Buckeyes got the ball back, but true freshman Lincoln Kienholz took over midway through the second quarter and finished the game. Ohio State’s only points came on Jayden Fielding’s 44-yard field goal, and the Buckeyes punted their other six possessions before halftime. Fielding’s 48-yard attempt on the opening drive of the second half was unsuccessful, and the Buckeyes never reached the red zone on their 11 possessions.
