Points were at a premium in this year’s Cotton Bowl. It was the antithesis to the 46-45 showdown between USC and Tulane last year. In what would make an Iowa vs. Nebraska fan blush, Ohio State and Missouri traded punts until the Buckeyes’ defense finally blinked.
Mizzou’s late score helped secure their first win over Ohio State since 1976. It was also, the first time Ohio State has dropped a non-College Football Playoff bowl since the CFP debuted. This loss snapped Ohio State’s streak of 88 games of scoring a touchdown. Missouri finishes the season with a Cotton Bowl win, 14-3.
Missouri Wins Ugly Cotton Bowl Over Ohio State
There were plenty of things to focus on in this game. The overall lack of offense from both teams had fans turning the game off. From the onset, both defenses were able to pin their ears back and dictate the game. The teams traded four punts to start the game before Ohio State took advantage of some favorable field position and managed 27 yards to set up a successful 44-yard field goal.
After that, there were a total of 11 punts, the end of the first half, and an Ohio State missed field goal. The Buckeyes clung onto a 3-0 lead for 45:05 game time before the defense finally broke. Missouri put together a methodical 95-yard touchdown drive capped off by a Cody Schrader seven-yard score on the first play in the fourth quarter.
The Buckeyes could not answer and punted after a meager seven-play, 35-yard drive. Missouri then drove 91 yards on 13 plays and killed 6:10 off the clock to score another touchdown, this time to Luther Burden III. Finally, in what was a fitting end to the game, Missouri had a free rusher hit the Ohio State quarterback, causing a fumble, and sealing the deal.
Game Won in the Trenches
For about 75% of the Cotton Bowl, the defensive lines for both teams were dominating. Ohio State’s offensive line could not protect if Missouri literally told them what was coming. This is fitting because Missouri did not disguise its pressures for the majority of the night and still got home. The Buckeyes had some jostling around up front as starting center Carson Hinzman was benched, Matt Jones moved over from right guard, and fifth-year depth piece Enokk Vimahi slid in.
If there was a clinic on soft, inept offensive line play, it would be put on by this Ohio State group. The Tigers dominated to the tune of four sacks, eight hurries, 10 tackles for loss, and the pivotal fumble. Any ground that TreVeyon Henderson started with (50 yards on 11 carries) was quickly taken away (21 yards over his next eight carries). Johhny Walker Jr. had a sack and one-and-a-half tackles for loss. Linebacker Triston Newson added two-and-a-half tackles for loss.
On the other side, the Ohio State defensive line looked strong and dominant in the Cotton Bowl. Jack Sawyer had himself a coming-out party with a trio of sacks and regularly won his assignments. Prior to that first long touchdown drive, the Buckeyes’ defensive front held Schrader to just 47 yards on 12 carries. Then, the dam broke.
Schrader led the team on those two long drives as well as the game-clincher with 17 carries for 81 yards and a score. The Ohio State defense carried the team all game but eventually, the weight of it all became too much. Going in, one would think holding Missouri to 14 points in the Cotton Bowl would have resulted in a win. Not so fast.
Missing Playmakers
There are no excuses either way but it must be noted that Missouri was at full strength and Ohio State was not. And it showed.
Fans were clamoring for the post-Kyle McCord era to officially begin. Alas, Devin Brown did not play well in the quarter-plus he was in the game due to his offensive line/Missouri’s defense feasting. Then the young quarterback suffered what appeared to be a left ankle injury so true freshman Lincoln Kienholz had to step in. He had a few good throws but, as a whole, he looked flustered and inexperienced.
Missing Marvin Harrison, Jr. was also a factor. However, again, no offense was working with how poorly the Ohio State offensive line was playing. Add in the fact that Ryan Day‘s playcalling turned incredibly conservative as the Buckeyes kept going down the depth chart.
It was not a banner game for the Ohio State offense nor for Day who is considered a quarterback guru. Missouri had a perfect defensive game plan to attack the inexperienced quarterbacks. It just helped that they had less resistance than a bored bouncer at the lamest club in town.
Decisions, Decisions
For the Tigers, this win closes out quite possibly the best season the program has had in generations. For Ohio State, it was yet another back-t0-back loss to end the year that has resulted in “Fire Ryan Day” to trend on your favorite social media sites.
The biggest storylines out of this will be how hyped will Missouri be heading into next year and which Ohio State players will return.
The Buckeyes had a number of draft-eligible and likely future draft picks elect to play in this game. Sawyer, Jaylahn Tuimoloau, and Denzel Burke were the biggest names on defense to suit up. Whereas Henderson and Emeka Egbuka could have hung out with Harrison, Jr. on the sidelines in street clothes. Sawyer has hinted that he’s returning but after this game, nobody would blame him if he left.
Additionally, what changes will be made, if any, to the coaching staff? Day is not going to be fired, Jim Knowles and Brian Hartline are more than safe. Justin Frye, the offensive line coach, and Parker Fleming, the special teams coach, have each caught the ire of fans over the year. Defensive line coach Larry Johnson is allegedly returning despite a few misses on the recruiting trail over the last few years.
Cotton Bowl Roundup
All in all, this was not the most inspiring of Cotton Bowl performances by either team. Missouri was significantly more prepared and conditioned. They looked ready to fight it out for a few more rounds. The Buckeyes had a great defensive performance and just could not overcome inexperience and ineptitude on offense. Their motivation could be questioned but that would be lazy.
The first of the New Year’s Six bowls was now quite as high-flying as in years past. However, it has given fans and analysts alike plenty to think about as the 2023 season winds down.
