Cook's heroic return inspires Mizzou comeback over Auburn

COLUMBIA, Missouri – On one hand, Brady Cook can count the number of times he's seen Eli Drinkwitz cry.

But the head coach couldn't contain his emotions after his quarterback returned to the sideline and led Missouri to a 21-17 comeback win over Auburn.

“12 would definitely die for anyone on that field,” Drinkwitz said of his quarterback.

Cook left the game in the first quarter after the first drive of the game

Cook left the game after the first drive of the game after being knocked down on a sack. During the examination in the hospital, he learned how to update the results.

Cook stared at the ceiling for the 90 minutes he spent in the hospital. No electronics were allowed. Coaches at his side gave him the score as Missouri's offense failed just a few miles from his empty hospital room.

There weren't many score updates for the team's feckless leader. At the end of the first half it was 3:3.

“It was a long hour and a half,” Cook said. “I didn’t think I would come back to win this game.”

Missouri's offense has struggled all season, even with Cook. But without him it was a faltering unit. After Cook went down, his longest drive was a six-play, 22-yard drive that ended with a missed 55-yard kick by Blake Craig that ended the whole thing.

In a crowded pocket, Pyne was 8 of 17 for 69 yards after his first six drives of the game. Of the game's first 37 plays, 14 of Missouri's games ended with a loss of yards or zero gain. But Pyne did just enough on his final drive to lead Missouri with the crucial three points. Nine plays and 44 yards set up Craig for a 38-yard attempt after missing two throws in the first half.

“I want to say how proud I am of Drew Pyne,” Drinkwitz said. “Drew came into a very difficult situation and led us to that field goal that ended up being the difference in our win.”

The Missouri defense, which had six stops on eight drives in Cook's absence, stalled on a 7:13 drive while Cook was warming up indoors. Although Auburn covered 63 yards to the Missouri 20, Auburn's kicker Towns McGough was no good from 30 yards.

After Auburn's miscue, Drinkwitz saw Cook returning to the sideline and asked, “Are you really good to play?”

Cook gave him an answer, but his piece spoke for itself. He was greeted with loud cheers from a rejuvenated crowd.

“It was really special to make the first trip back and listen to the crowd give everyone on the team juice,” Cook said. That makes a huge difference.”

In just four plays, Cook led Missouri 80 yards down the field and scored the game's first touchdown. The drive was extended by wide receiver Mookie Cooper cutting through defenders on a third-down reception for a 78-yard gain. Marcus Carroll rushed in for a two-yard touchdown on the next play.

The defense stayed strong in the fourth quarter. Two of Missouri's post-touchdown drives ended in punts, but the defense forced three for Auburn, giving Missouri a chance to win the game with 4:26 left.

However, it would be another tough battle. Missouri, trailing 17-14, would start 95 yards from the end zone. They experienced four third downs, including a 3rd-and-18 and a 4th down near midfield. Cook had an answer to each of them.

With the help of adrenaline, he gained 14 yards on a 3rd-and-7 from the Auburn 22.

Eight plays later, Missouri scored on a 4th-and-5 at the Auburn 41. His picture-perfect comeback would have collapsed before his eyes if they hadn't converted.

But wide receiver Luther Burden III crossed over the middle of the field for a 16-yard reception. Jamal Roberts scored his first career score with a four-yard touchdown to seal the deal for Missouri.

“When I was on the field, I had no pain,” Cook said. “But as soon as Jamal scored that touchdown, he raced back.”

Less than an hour earlier, Cook was neither safe nor sure he would return. Drinkwitz could not find an explanation for his return and the team's comeback.

“I don’t know how they found a way. I really don’t know, but they never gave up and never let each other down,” Drinkwitz said.

There were many ways Missouri could have sought some sort of redemption with this win. But that's not this team.

That Craig delivers Missouri's first points in over 30 minutes after previously costing them six points.

For Burden, who sank a third-quarter point that Auburn recovered in the end zone, his fourth-down reception brought Missouri one step closer to victory.

“Luther is a guy with a ‘this game’ mentality,” Drinkwitz said. “Don’t think about it.”

For Mookie Cooper, who missed a second-down pass just one play before his 78-yard score.

“This playing philosophy, every play has a life of its own,” Drinkwitz repeated when asked about Cooper. “The previous move doesn’t matter. The end result doesn't matter. It's all about this play. Give us everything you have this play.”

For Cook, who heard the doubts of the fan base surrounding him, but also the changing tone as they endured almost three quarters without him.

“Whether they’re high on me or low on me, that comes with the territory of quarterback play,” Cook said of the fan base. “I never take it personally.”

But the glue that holds Missouri together is mutual trust.

“It wasn’t perfect, it wasn’t clean,” Drinkwitz said. “But, man, these guys fight together.”

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