Well, I tell ya, folks, this here game, the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, between Missouri and Ohio State, sure had its ups and downs. You know, I ain’t much for all them fancy stats and numbers, but I can tell you one thing: it was a real sight to see! The game kicked off, and boy, did the two teams put on a show for the crowd down in Arlington, Texas.
Now, this was the 88th time they had this Cotton Bowl, and it was the 13th time that Ohio State and Missouri had faced off. But let me tell you, a lot of that history, well, it goes way back, more than 70 years ago. Since then, they ain’t seen each other much on the field, so folks were really excited for this one. They ain’t played each other like this since 1976, if you can believe that!
Now, Ohio State was ranked No. 7 and Missouri was No. 9 going into this game. Both teams had pretty good seasons, but when the game started, things were slow goin’. I mean, it was like watching paint dry for a good while, ’til halfway through the second half when Missouri started to light up the scoreboard. They just came alive, like someone poured gas on a fire!
Ohio State, well, they weren’t too quick to catch on. The Buckeyes had a tough time getting anything going, and that defense from Missouri sure gave them a run for their money. In the fourth quarter, Cody Schrader, that big ol’ running back for Missouri, he pushed through like a bull at a gate and scored the first touchdown for the Tigers. You could hear the crowd roar! Missouri was up 7-0 by that point, and Ohio State was still scratchin’ their heads, wonderin’ what went wrong.
But the story ain’t over yet. Ohio State, being the big name that they are, didn’t give up easily. They tried their best to get something on the board, but that Missouri defense? It was like tryin’ to break through a brick wall! Ohio State finally got a field goal, but that was it. They couldn’t get any more points, and in the end, Missouri came out on top with a 14-3 win. It wasn’t pretty, but it sure was something!
For Missouri, this was a big win. They celebrated their first-ever Cotton Bowl victory, and I tell ya, they earned it. The Tigers had their fair share of struggles, but they kept fightin’ and finally made it happen. That defense was strong, and they got just enough offense when it mattered. And don’t forget about Brady Cook, the quarterback. He got the ball to Luther Burden, who made a nice 7-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter to seal the deal. It was a good team effort all around, and the Tigers walked away with the trophy.
Now, I know some folks out there will say it was a low-scoring game, and maybe it wasn’t the most exciting for some, but to me, it was a real nail-biter. Both teams played hard, but in the end, Missouri proved they were the better team that day. Ohio State might have been favored, but that don’t mean nothin’ if you don’t show up and play when the game’s on the line. Missouri took the win, and that’s all that matters!
So, all in all, this Cotton Bowl wasn’t just another game. It was a moment for Missouri to show they can hang with the big dogs, and it was a reminder that you can’t count out a team just ’cause they ain’t got the flashiest name. Missouri showed heart, and Ohio State, well, they learned a lesson that day. Maybe next year will be different for the Buckeyes, but for now, Missouri’s the one who gets to celebrate their Cotton Bowl victory.
Tags：[Goodyear Cotton Bowl, Missouri Tigers, Ohio State Buckeyes, Cotton Bowl Classic, college football, Brady Cook, Cody Schrader, Luther Burden, Arlington Texas, 2023 Cotton Bowl, College Bowl Games]
