Ohio State vs. Missouri score, takeaways: Tigers cap remarkable 11-2 season with Cotton Bowl win vs. Buckeyes

No. 9 Missouri scored two fourth-quarter TDs to beat No. 7 Ohio State in a defensive struggle at the Cotton Bowl

No. 9 Missouri capped a breakthrough season under fourth-year coach Eli Drinkwitz on Friday by edging No. 7 Ohio State 14-3 in the Cotton Bowl to finish 11-2. The Buckeyes held Mizzou scoreless for the first three quarters before Cody Schrader broke through for a 7-yard touchdown run on the opening play of the fourth quarter.

The Tigers added some insurance with 5:12 remaining when Brady Cook capped a 13-play, 91-yard drive by finding Luther Burden for a 7-yard touchdown pass. Missouri's defense took care of the rest as the Tigers notched their second-ever win over Ohio State and first since 1976.

Freshman quarterback Lincoln Kienholz was forced into action during the second quarter for Ohio State after Devin Brown suffered what coach Ryan Day said was a high ankle sprain in his first career start. With star receiver and Heisman Trophy finalist Marvin Harrison Jr. also opting out, the Buckeyes simply lacked their customary offensive punch. 

Schrader finished with 128 yards rushing, surpassing 1,600 yards for the year and passing Tyler Badie for Missouri's single-season rushing record. Cook added 128 yards passing and 66 rushing as he rallied from a slow start for six straight completions during a critical juncture in the second half.

• Missouri is now 3-0 in the Cotton Bowl during the 21st century after beating Arkansas on Jan. 1, 2008 and Oklahoma State on Jan. 3, 2014
• Until this year, the Tigers hadn't won more than eight games in a season since 2014
• Ohio State finished with 203 total yards. Its previous season-low was 328 yards.

CBS Sports was with you for the entire 2023 Cotton Bowl. Read on below for takeaways from the game. 

[Dec 29, 2023 at 11:48 pm ET · David Cobb]

Schrader's swan song

Missouri running back Cody Schrader capped a memorable season with a big farewell performance. The former walk-on, who began his career at Division II Truman State, became just the third running back to surpass 100 yards against Ohio State this season. After beginning the fourth quarter with the game's first touchdown, he helped put the game away on the Tigers' next drive with nine rushes for 42 yards as Mizzou bled the clock with a 91-yard touchdown drive that ate 6:10 off the clock. It was a fitting sendoff for the school's new all-time leading rusher.

[Dec 29, 2023 at 11:41 pm ET · David Cobb]

Missouri's defense gets nasty

Missouri racked up 10 tackles for loss as its defense carried the flag while the offense sorted things out. Then, it was the defense that sealed the outcome. Dylan Carnell forced a Lincoln Kienholz fumble while coming uncontested around the right edge as the Buckeyes were driving with under four minutes remaining. Carnell blasted Kienholz just before he could release a pass, and Joe Moore recovered the loose football. The play was a perfect cap to a legendary performance from the Mizzou defense. No FBS foe gained fewer yards against Missouri this season than Ohio State, which averaged just 3.6 yards per play.

[Dec 29, 2023 at 11:37 pm ET · David Cobb]

Kienholz's daunting debut

Ohio State true freshman quarterback Lincoln Kienholz had appeared briefly in two games this season that were out of reach, but the Cotton Bowl marked his first meaningful action. The former four-star prospect looked overmatched from the start and he was not helped by the game's circumstances. His first three drives began at or inside Ohio State's 11-yard line, which added to the Buckeyes' conservative approach. On Kienholz's first series, Ohio State handed the football to TreVeyon Henderson on three consecutive plays before punting. The Buckeyes reached Missouri territory on four straight possessions in the second half but never got beyond the 30-yard line as Kienholz struggled to get comfortable. He finished 6 of 17 passing for 86 yards.

[Dec 29, 2023 at 11:25 pm ET · David Cobb]

Missouri finds a way

Final: Missouri 14, Ohio State 3

No. 9 Missouri capped a breakthrough season under fourth-year coach Eli Drinkwitz on Friday by edging No. 7 Ohio State 14-3 in the Cotton Bowl to finish 11-2. The Buckeyes held Mizzou scoreless for the first three quarters before Cody Schrader broke through for a 7-yard touchdown run on the opening play of the fourth quarter. The Tigers put it away with a 7-yard touchdown connection between Brady Cook and a subsequent strip sack of Ohio State quarterback Lincoln Kienholz.

[Dec 29, 2023 at 11:19 pm ET · David Cobb]

Defensive dagger

Missouri just inflicted a dagger as Daylan Carnell forced a Lincoln Kienholz fumble while coming uncontested around the right edge. Carnell blasted Kienholz, and Joe Moore recovered with 3:13 remaining. It was only fitting that the Tigers seal this one with a defensive play after the legendary performance that unit has turned in.

[Dec 29, 2023 at 11:03 pm ET · David Cobb]

Missouri makes a statement drive

Missouri just surged ahead 14-3 on a 7-yard touchdown pass from Brady Cook to Luther Burden. That was a backbreaking 13-play, 91-yard drive which ate 6:10 off the clock. It was sparked by an explosive pass play as Brady Cook found Theo Wease for a pickup of 31 to establish the Tigers in Ohio State territory. From there, Eli Drinkwitz gambled by going for it on a fourth-and-1 play. The gamble paid off with a Cook keeper picking up the first down, allowing the Tigers to continue burning clock as they marched to make it a two possession game.

[Dec 29, 2023 at 10:44 pm ET · David Cobb]

Cody Schrader punches it in

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Missouri finally broke through with a 7-yard touchdown run by Cody Schrader. He hit the gap and then carried a couple of Buckeyes with him across the goal-line to get the Tigers on the board and ahead 7-3. That was all set up by the Cook to Johnson completion, and it shifts the game's onus to Ohio State. The Buckeyes have done nothing with Lincoln Kienholz in for the injured Devin Brown at quarterback.

[Dec 29, 2023 at 10:40 pm ET · David Cobb]

Missouri might break through

End 3Q: Ohio State 3, Missouri 0

Ohio State is still leading, but Missouri is knocking on the door. Brady Cook found Marquis Johnson for a 49-yard gain — exceeding Mizzou's passing output for the entire game — to set up the Tigers at Ohio State's 11-yard line. Johnson had just 12 catches on the season entering this game. But in that limited action, he'd shown flashes of big-play capability with grabs of 76, 68, 44, 42 yards and a couple more of 30+ yards. He came through in a big moment there when his team needed it.

[Dec 29, 2023 at 10:22 pm ET · David Cobb]

Missouri blows an opportunity

Missouri made a rare foray into Ohio State territory on a 17-yard scramble from Brady Cook. But it all went downhill from there as the Tigers netted -13 yards over their next three plays, which included a fumble and a sack. Missouri never scored fewer than 21 points during the regular season. But it might not score at all tonight. Brady Cook and the passing game have no answers right now.

[Dec 29, 2023 at 10:13 pm ET · David Cobb]

Buckeyes blow an opportunity

Lincoln Kienholz found Xavier Johnson for a gain of 24 yards down the left sideline to put the Buckeyes in Missouri territory. But the drive stalled and ended with Jayden Fielding's 48-yard attempt hitting the left upright and bouncing off. Of note: Johnson appeared to injure his hand and needed medical attention after his reception. The fifth-year senior is a converted running back who took a step up in the receiver pecking order for this game with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Julian Fleming both out.

[Dec 29, 2023 at 10:06 pm ET · David Cobb]

Jack Sawyer making noise

Jack Sawyer sacked Brady Cook for a loss of 9 yards on the opening play of the second half. That was his second sack of the game as he's highlighted a ruthless defense effort for the Buckeyes. Ohio State has four sacks and just forced Missouri's seventh punt of the game to open the third quarter. Hard to overstate how impressive of an effort this has been from Jim Knowles' unit against a Mizzou offense that put up some points in the regular season.

[Dec 29, 2023 at 9:53 pm ET · David Cobb]

Second half keys

Missouri finally got Luther Burden the football on a 5-yard completion with three seconds left in the first half. That was his only touch of the half. Brady Cook is just 5 of 11 for 28 yards, and many of those came on the last few plays of the first half. The Tigers were simply firing blanks in the first half. Getting Burden involved will be key. For Ohio State, the Buckeyes just need better field position. Day is obviously scared to throw the football with Lincoln Kienholz when pinned deep. Whoever can bust a big return may gain a huge edge.

[Dec 29, 2023 at 9:39 pm ET · David Cobb]

Low scoring affair 

Half: Ohio State 3, Missouri 0

Last year's Cotton Bowl featured 91 points as Tulane outlasted USC 46-45. This one may prove to be just as close, but it's got a totally different flavor. The teams combined for 12 punts in the first half as defense ruled the day. The big story was Ohio State quarterback Devin Brown exiting the game in the second quarter, leaving the QB duties to freshman Lincoln Kienholz. Repeatedly pinned deep in their own territory, the Buckeyes chose to play it safe and ride the run game. Brown returned to the field and rode a stationary bike, but it's unclear whether he'll be able to play in the second half.

[Dec 29, 2023 at 9:31 pm ET · David Cobb]

Brutal penalty on Missouri

Johnny Walker Jr. was flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after Missouri stopped Ohio State on third-and-long when the Buckeyes were backed up against their own goal-line. That was a catastrophic error for the Tigers. It gave Ohio State a first down and deprived Missouri of great field position late in the first half. The Buckeyes would been forced to punt from deep in their own end zone, which would've given Mizzou a golden opportunity to make something happen on special teams.

[Dec 29, 2023 at 9:22 pm ET · David Cobb]

Playing it safe

Missouri chose to play it safe and punt on fourth-and-2, and it paid off as the Buckeyes went three-and-out yet again with Lincoln Kienholz still at quarterback in place of Devin Brown. The Tigers are really struggling offensively, though. Star receiver Luther Burden has yet to touch the football as the Buckeyes prove to be a tough nut for Mezzo to crack.

[Dec 29, 2023 at 9:09 pm ET · David Cobb]

Conservative approach

With Ohio State pinned deep in its own territory and No. 3 quarterback Lincoln Kienholz in the game for the injured Devin Brown, the Buckeyes played it ultra-conservative with three straight handoffs to TreVeyon Henderson that netted nine yards. Mirco unleashed a 58-yard punt. He is the MVP so far for either team in a game featuring no real offense.

[Dec 29, 2023 at 9:06 pm ET · David Cobb]

Lincoln Kienholz in for Devin Brown

Devin Brown just went to the locker room, meaning it is freshman Lincoln Kienholz getting into the action for the Buckeyes. The former four-star prospect appeared in two games this season, completing 4 of 5 passes while working at No. 3 on the depth chart behind Kyle McCord and Devin Brown. Reminder: McCord has transferred to Syracuse, which is why Brown started tonight. Brown later returned to the field and rode the stationary bike. But Kienholz stayed in the game.

[Dec 29, 2023 at 8:53 pm ET · David Cobb]

Sluggish start

End 1Q: Ohio State 3, Missouri 0

The defenses won the first quarter, which featured five punts and a field goal. Making his first career start, Ohio State quarterback Devin Brown was shaky early before settling in to finish the quarter 4 of 6 passing. However, he was dinged up on the Buckeyes' third possession with an apparent ankle injury. He came out to begin Ohio State's fourth series but didn't look 100% healthy after getting his ankle re-taped. Missouri has yet to generate anything in the passing game but has had a little success on the ground with Cody Schrader and Brady Cook.

[Dec 29, 2023 at 8:43 pm ET · David Cobb]

Keep an eye on Devin Brown

Devin Brown is limping around after suffering an apparent ankle injury as the Buckeyes moved into field goal range. Jayden Fielding put the Buckeyes ahead 3-0 with 3:12 left in the first quarter by hitting a 44-yarder. But Brown's status will be something to monitor moving forward. It appears as though the training staff just re-taped his ankle and is attempting to jog on the sideline.

[Dec 29, 2023 at 8:29 pm ET · David Cobb]

Baby steps for Ohio State offense

Ohio State's offense took a couple of baby steps on its second possession as Devin Brown completed three passes, all to Emeka Egbuka. But a couple of false starts and a negative rushing play put the Buckeyes behind the chains and led to a punt. Jesse Mirco boomed one 61 yards to the Missouri 10. Brown at least got a few completions under his belt there as the teams continue feeling each other out.

[Dec 29, 2023 at 8:19 pm ET · David Cobb]

Stalling out

Missouri picked up a quick first down with Brady Cook taking off around the right edge to get the Tigers near midfield. From there, they stalled as Cook misfired on third-and-8, launching the football into no-man's land, either due to a miscommunication or just a poorly thrown ball. Either way, both offenses looked a little out-of-sync on their first possessions. That's to be expected after the long layoff, especially in Ohio State's case with Devin Brown making his first start.

[Dec 29, 2023 at 8:14 pm ET · David Cobb]

Off and running

Missouri forced a three-and-out on the game's opening possession. Devin Brown turned away from pressure as the blitz came on third down and showed his mobility while escaping the pocket to extend the play. However, he couldn't find Emeka Egbuka down the left sideline, forcing the Buckeyes to punt. Encouraging start for the Tigers defensively as they look to rattle Brown in his first career start.

[Dec 29, 2023 at 8:05 pm ET · David Cobb]

Time for kickoff

The Friday night bowl game slate features the first New Year's Six showdown of the postseason as No. 7 Ohio State meets No. 9 Missouri in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Buckeyes have dominated the all-time series 10-1-1 -- with the last meeting taking place in 1998. This time, however, they're facing a Missouri team coming off its best regular season since 2014. The Tigers should be plenty motivated for its their first-ever appearance in a New Year's Six game.

Ohio State vs. Missouri live stream, watch online, TV channel, prediction, pick, Cotton Bowl odds, spread

David Cobb

[Dec 29, 2023 at 7:55 pm ET · David Cobb]

Cotton Bowl prediction

Devin Brown is making his first career start for Ohio State following Kyle McCord's departure for Syracuse. Brown has played only sparingly in his two seasons with the Buckeyes, and there will no easing into things. Missouri is a highly capable SEC foe whose only losses are against LSU and Georgia. Mizzou will be motivated to perform well in its first-ever New Year's Six appearance, while Ohio State may have trouble matching that energy amid the disappointment of missing out on the College Football Playoff. Look for the Tigers to shine defensively and put a victorious cap on a banner season for fourth-year coach Eli Drinkwitz. Pick: Missouri +1

[Dec 29, 2023 at 7:40 pm ET · David Cobb]

Missouri's elite trio

Missouri's offense found its footing this season behind the elite trio of quarterback Brady Cook, running back Cody Schrader and receiver Luther Burden. Cook's passer efficiency mark of 158.08 ranks third all-time in program history entering the game as the junior evolved into one of the SEC's top quarterbacks. Schrader earned first-team All-American honors from CBS Sports while rushing for 1,499 yards and 13 touchdowns in the regular season. Finally, Burden enjoyed a breakout sophomore season with 1,197 yards receiving and eight touchdowns, earning second-team All-American honors from CBS Sports. All three are expected to play against the Buckeyes.

[Dec 29, 2023 at 7:15 pm ET · David Cobb]

Young receiver could shine 

Marvin Harrison Jr. enjoyed a breakout performance in the Rose Bowl two seasons ago with three touchdown catches after a quiet freshman season. It foreshadowed the big things that were in store for him. Now, another young receiver could use the bowl stage to pop for the Buckeyes entering the 2024 season. The prime candidate is Carnell Tate, who caught 17 passes for 260 yards and one touchdown in the regular season. The former five-star prospect ranked as the No. 3 receiver in the 2023 recruiting class and has flashed his potential when given opportunities this season. With No. 3 wide receiver Julian Fleming in the transfer portal and Harrison out, Tate could use the Cotton Bowl to announce his arrival on the national stage.

[Dec 29, 2023 at 6:45 pm ET · David Cobb]

Devin Brown's game 

Devin Brown will be the first quarterback in program history to make his first start in a bowl game. The sophomore was ranked as a four-star prospect and the No. 5 quarterback in the Class of 2022, according to 247Sports. He appeared in five games while backing up McCord this season. His most substantive action came in a Week 2 blowout of Youngstown State when he completed 7 of 13 passes and ran six times. In some respects, this game could be considered an audition for Brown as Ohio State coach Ryan Day evaluates the future of the quarterback position heading into the offseason. 

[Dec 29, 2023 at 6:17 pm ET · David Cobb]

Marvin Harrison Jr. out

Ohio State released its availability report, and star receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is out for the game. He was a non-participant in practice leading up to the game, so this is not a shock. However, there was at least some optimism that he might suit up since he never publicly announced that he would opt out of the game. The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison led the Buckeyes in receiving each of the past two seasons and won the 2023 Biletnikoff Award given to college football's top receiver. In a long line of elite receivers to come from Ohio State under head coach Ryan Day and offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, Harrison stacked up with the best, earning Heisman Trophy finalist honors this season while tying the school record for most 100-yard receiving games in a career with 14. If Harrison declares for the draft, he will end his college career with 155 receptions for 2,613 yards and 31 touchdowns.