Mizzou escapes Middle Tennessee to improve to 2-0
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Mizzou football team improved to 2-0 on the season with a 23-19 win against Middle Tennessee State University on Saturday night, but the victory didn't come without its ups and downs.
The Tigers had some offensive struggles against the Blue Raiders in the first half. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz named Brady Cook the starting quarterback, ahead of Saturday's game and the junior went 7-for-10 for 67 yards and one rushing touchdown in the opening half of play. MU missed out on quite a few opportunities, as Cook struggled to connect with his guys, especially on third down.
You can watch the full postgame press conference with Drinkwitz in the video player below.
The offense woke up a bit when it came out of the locker room, as Cook started hitting some of the big names. The quarterback found star wide receiver Luther Burden on a 44-yard pass and that drive ended with a five-yard touchdown pass to Oklahoma-transfer Theo Wease Jr. However, MU only took a 16-10 lead from that, due to a missed PAT from kicker Harrison Mevis. It was the first extra point he's ever missed in his career.
Much to the dismay of Mizzou fans, the game stayed close throughout. Cook and Rock Bridge alum Nate Peat connected for a wide open, 49-yard touchdown to make it 23-10 in favor the Tigers in the fourth quarter. However, MTSU continued to respond to all the punches. Quarterback Nicholas Vattiato and the Blue Raider offense put together an 11-play, 84-yard drive, which ended in a 13-yard touchdown pass to get Middle Tennessee within a score, again.
The momentum continued to swing the wrong way for MU. With about six minutes left to play in the game, Cook got sacked for a safety to make it a four point game, 23-19. Middle Tennessee got the football for a chance of taking the lead after that safety, but luckily for Mizzou, Middle Tennessee turned it over on downs with about three minutes left to play.
Cook finished the game 14-19 with 204 yards and three touchdowns. He also got sacked four times on Saturday. Backup quarterback Sam Horn did not see the field against the Blue Raiders. Drinkwitz said he would get opportunities throughout the season, but he did not get in against Middle Tennessee.
You can watch the full postgame press conference with Cook, as well as Peat and Wease Jr. in the video players below.
Defensively, Daylan Carnell led the attack for MU with a team-high eight tackles and one sack. However, the Tigers allowed 285 yards of offense, 214 of which came through the air.
You can watch the full postgame press conference with Mizzou defensive lineman Darius Robinson in the video player below.
Up next - Mizzou will host No. 15 Kansas State at Faurot on Saturday, Sept. 16. Kick off is at 11 a.m.
