Missouri Tigers quarterback competition to be on display in spring game Saturday
The basketball seasons are officially over for both the Missouri Tigers men’s and women’s teams, just in time for football to kick into full gear.
Mizzou football will host its annual spring game at 1 p.m. Saturday on Faurot Field in Columbia. Admission is free. The game will also be shown on SEC Network Plus.
Head coach Eliah Drinkwitz chose to go with a fun format this year. It will be Team Mizzou vs Team Tigers. The teams were chosen through a player-led draft run by senior captains on Wednesday. Wide receiver Barrett Banister and defensive end Isaiah McGuire selected the Mizzou squad, while offensive lineman Connor Wood and defensive tackle Darius Robinson picked the Tigers. Coaches were also split across both the sides.
“We want to make it exciting for the fans, we want to make it great for our players, an opportunity to compete,” Drinwkitz said earlier this week. “The number 1 goal for us is individual player development, and no better way to see that group getting the chance to cut loose and play. And hopefully it’s exciting for both players, family and, again, our coaches can evaluate how much growth each one of these guys has had.”
The biggest question for the Tigers ahead of next season is who will be the team’s starting quarterback following the transfer of Connor Bazelak to Indiana. Though there won’t be any live hits, Saturday’s game should provide a glimpse into the progress of potential starters for the season in Brady Cook and Tyler Macon. Sam Cook will join the competition as a four-star freshman over the summer, and Drinkwitz isn’t opposed to adding a transfer into the mix.
“They’re both maturing, they’re both trying to do what we ask them to do, and it means a lot to both of them,” Drinkwitz said of Brady Cook and Macon. “They’ve both got the right stuff. So I can’t wait to continue to watch this battle unfold. Can’t wait to continue to add other guys to it. Looking forward to Sam getting in here this summer, and as the late Colin Powell said, ‘the only thing better than a little competition is a lot of competition,’ and we’re going to continue to add competition to this quarterback battle, and we need it. We need it in order to win in this league.”
Cook was selected first overall by his teammates in the draft for the spring game. He started in the Armed Forces Bowl over Bazelak in the last game of 2020. Though Missouri lost the game, Cook had an impressive performance. He completed 27 of 34 passes for 238 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 53 yards and another score.
“I want to be more comfortable out there going through my progressions and trusting what I see as far as defensive ID,” Cook said when asked about his improvement since then.
Macon made one start as a true freshman last season, against the eventual national champion Georgia Bulldogs in November. He completed 6 of 13 passes for 74 yards and ran 42 yards on 11 carries.
“I think I’ve definitely grown from a freshman,” Macon said earlier this week. “I’ll say really just being more accurate as a passer and just being more comfortable in the pocket with my line, just building the trust with those guys. So I would say the main focus from this spring to last spring is just being a more accurate passer and trusting my O-line more.”
The improvement for both Cook and Macon will be put to the test Saturday, as they provide a glimpse of the future for the Missouri Tigers.
“I’m just hoping to show everyone that I can push the ball down the field a little, complete some passes down the field,” Cook said. “Obviously continue to show my athleticism and the way I can use my feet and extend plays. But then again, really just to show my leadership and how I’ve developed and developed relationships with teammates. And I can lead the offense. ... I want to just score some touchdowns and have a good day.”
