'Fight for Mizzou': How Brady Cook's growth helped the Tigers win games

Before Missouri football played Vanderbilt on Oct. 22, quarterback Brady Cook had a message for the team. Cook had been studying film throughout the bye week following MU’s loss to Florida and put his finger on MU’s problem.

“Our defense has kept us in games all year, they did a hell of a job every single week,” Cook said. “And after the bye week, I sat down and I said ‘I’m not gonna leave my defense hanging anymore. It’s not gonna happen.’”

Cook shared his determination with the rest of the Tigers and let it sink in. It was true, up to that point, the offense hadn’t done enough to help Missouri win a Power 5 game.

More:How the Mizzou football offense's stellar performance is reflected in our postgame grades

It had dropped a heartbreaker against Auburn on an overtime fumble, and another against Florida when the offense looked fully anemic. Nothing was clicking.

When Missouri played Vanderbilt, things weren’t perfect. The Tigers had trouble scoring in the second half and only beat the perennial SEC basement-dweller by three points.

Still, that was when the Tigers turned the corner.

“I think that’s been a big focus,” Cook said. “For us to hold up our end of the bargain.”

Missouri's offense was best of the season against Arkansas

Missouri played its best offensive game of the season on Friday. The Tigers showed the ability to move the ball and score touchdowns, which, while basic concepts, were not hallmarks of the MU experience early in the season.

The Arkansas game, a 29-27 win that earned Missouri a bowl bid, also served as Cook’s finest hour all season. He completed 16 of his 26 pass attempts for 242 yards and a touchdown, despite being a receiver down with Barrett Banister not playing.

He also rushed for a career-high 151 yards and another touchdown. Wideout Dominic Lovett praised his ability to run after the game.

“He’s running,” Lovett said. “I was running with a couple Arkansas defenders and (they said) ‘This boy running.’”

More:Why Mizzou football's win over Arkansas was the team's best performance of season

Play-calling more aggressive for Missouri

Over the last several games, quarterbacks coach Bush Hamdan has taken the lead in calling plays for the Tigers. Missouri has been more aggressive since then, starting the third quarter against Arkansas with three consecutive long throws down the field.

The first two fell incomplete. Lovett caught the third for a 22-yard gain and a first down.

“We don’t hit on all of them, unfortunately,” Cook said. “But we’re gonna hit on some of them, I guarantee you that. And when we do, it’s gonna pay off.”

Drinkwitz stuck with Cook as his choice of quarterback

Early on in the season, Cook took criticism for his play from fans, who at times wanted him replaced as the starter. Still, Eli Drinkwitz stuck with his choice, and Cook’s play improved.

Drinkwitz praised the Missouri native’s improvement throughout the season.

“He’s continued to grow and develop, which is the name of the game,” Drinkwitz said. “He didn’t flinch. Obviously, his rushing ability is really what separated us in this game and gave us a chance to win. Really proud of him. He gets beat to hell, he’s had shoulder issues and all that kind of stuff, he just keeps getting up and looking at me, a smile on his face, and says ‘Let’s go.’”

Lovett also had kind words for his teammate after Friday’s game.

“I’m proud,” Lovett said. “He’s progressed a lot. His confidence, his swag, taking shots.”

Cook is fully aware of the noise surrounding his play. He said he realized the criticisms come with the quarterback job in the SEC.

But the redshirt sophomore from Wentzville, who grew up a die-hard Missouri fan, plans on continuing to get better in the job he earned this offseason.

“I’ve battled through a lot of adversity,” Cook said. “I’ll continue to fight for Mizzou. I always will. I love the school, I love the team, I love our coaches and no outside noise is going to change that. I’m gonna keep fighting for this team no matter what.”

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Mizzou football: Brady Cook's Arkansas performance earns bowl bid