As Vanderbilt kicker Brock Taylor trotted onto the field for a 31-yard field goal attempt in the second overtime, Missouri quarterback Brady Cook was busy preparing for the next drive.
“I was just preparing for the two-point plays,” Cook said. “If he had done that, it would have been a back-and-forth two-point game. I actually just went over the three or four calls that we were preparing for.”
No two-point attempts were needed, however, as Taylor’s shot went wide to the left, sending a horde of Missouri players onto the field. The shock of his miss set off a wave of screaming at Memorial Stadium.
“It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders,” said defensive tackle Chris McClellan. “It’s a great feeling, man. Just knowing we got this win.”
Although Missouri entered the game as a 20-point favorite, the team never had a comfortable moment. They were in the lead for just 7:57 of regulation time, with the score and lead changing several times in between. With the score changes came numerous emotional swings.
“Man, there’s a lot of ups and downs in a game like this,” McClellan said. “It’s just really hard to go in there and keep your head up, especially after the start we got off to.”
Despite the Tigers’ offensive struggles and strong defensive performance, they emerged victorious. With this win, they are 4-0 on the year and 1-0 in the conference.
“A win is a win in any case,” McClellan said.
The toughness of the defense was certainly a key to the Tigers’ victory. Despite a poor start in the first quarter, they managed to hold Vanderbilt to 4 of 14 third-down conversions.
“Personally, as a defense, we started out pretty slow,” McClellan said. “But I think we hung in there at the end. We went in there and just fought back hard.”
It can’t be easy standing on the sidelines while the opposing team’s kicker decides your fate. Missouri’s offense, unable to score on its third attempt and having to settle for a field goal, could only watch while Taylor had a chance to extend the game.
“We were just watching. We were just waiting to see what would happen,” running back Nate Noel said. “We’re crossing our fingers. And we’re just watching.”
Cook couldn’t help but show some emotion after Taylor’s kick also sailed right. He didn’t put in his best performance as an offensive leader, posting 226 passing yards and two touchdowns on 23-of-37 efficiency.
“I was always very happy when he missed,” Cook said.
Despite a poor team performance, Missouri was able to post a win on the left side of the record column. They have a week off to reflect and improve on their first four performances before traveling to College Station for their first away test of the year against Texas A&M.
Everything Eli Drinkwitz said after Mizzou’s win over Vanderbilt
“I just knew my role”: Mizzou running back Nate Noel plays his career-best in the Tigers’ double-OT win
“It’s not good enough”: Cook led the offense in Vanderbilt win
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