Another bowl game for Mizzou’s Brady Cook, only this time as a full-time starter
A year ago, Missouri quarterback Brady Cook was preparing for his first college start against Army in the Armed Forces Bowl.
Cook has made every start for the Tigers since, and he’s piloted the Tigers to another postseason appearance, this one against Wake Forest in the Gasparilla Bowl. The game on Friday in Tampa, Fla., kicks off at 5:30 p.m. Central and is on ESPN.
“It’s gone quick,” Cook said of the previous year. “My approach has changed in a lot of ways. I’ve had to change my schedule and spend most of my time at the facility. I’ve learned a lot about being the starting quarterback.”
A lesson learned for Mizzou was to remain patient with its quarterback, who was named the starter in early August and evolved over the season.
The Tigers’ offensive numbers rank in the bottom half of the SEC: 10th in scoring, 11th in total yards and 12th in passing yards. But needing victories in their final two games to secure bowl eligibility, Cook and the Tigers rose to the challenge. Against New Mexico State and Arkansas, Cook delivered his two top passing totals against FBS opponents.
Counting the loss to Tennessee, Cook completed seven of his season-total 13 touchdown passes in the final three regular-season games. He also rushed for 315 yards and a touchdown in those games, topping 100 rushing yards against the Vols and Razorbacks.
Success can be traced back to the bye week. It came precisely at the season’s midpoint, when the Tigers stood 2-4 and winless in three SEC games. Coach Eli Drinkwitz was being asked about alternatives at the position while Cook hunkered down.
“When the bye week hit I told myself I was going to watch all six games and really study each throw to see what I needed to do better,” Cook said.
Missouri went 3-2 in league play the rest of the way, including a triumph at No. 25 South Carolina. Now Cook and the offense face more challenges.
Quarterbacks coach Bush Hamdan has left to become the offensive coordinator at Boise State. Hamdan had been part of the Mizzou staff for the past three seasons. He took over play-calling duties for the Tigers starting with the Week 11 game against Tennessee, according to PowerMizzou.com, and Missouri averaged 33 points in the final three games.
Drinkwitz will resume play-calling duties for the bowl game.
“Yeah, I love it and I’m excited to be back,” Drinkwitz said. “The game plan really didn’t change a whole lot.”
The other change: Missouri will be without Cook’s top target, wide receiver Dominic Lovett. The first team All-SEC selection is in the transfer portal and won’t play for the Tigers this week. Lovett finished the season with 56 receptions and averaged 15.1 yards per catch.
But that means more playing opportunity for players like freshman Mekhi Miller. Perhaps freshman standout Luther Burden, the second leading receiver with 38 catches, is poised for his biggest game. Burden leads Missouri with five touchdown receptions. And veteran wide receiver Barrett Banister should be ready after not playing against Arkansas with an injury.
“We’ve got guys who can step up,” Cook said.
Just as Cook did over the final few weeks of the season.