In opposition to Florida in Week 6, Mookie Cooper switched up the norm. The sophomore led Missouri receivers, marking the primary sport on the time Dominic Lovett wasn’t the chief.
Cooper reeled in 4 passes for 58 yards towards the Gators. However following the bye week, the St. Louis product reeled in only one cross for 15 yards towards Vanderbilt, going and not using a reception till Friday.
In opposition to the Razorbacks, Cooper was alive and effectively. The receiver was focused 3 times within the first quarter, grabbing all three passes for 45 yards. Cooper and Dominic Lovett totaled 139 first-half yards off the hand of Brady Cook dinner.
“Mookie has carried out what he has carried out all 12 months; he places his head down and goes to work,” coach Eli Drinkwitz stated. “When his quantity is named, he performs, and that is what he did tonight. Happy with him.”
Cooper was among the many regulars rotating into the offense within the second half, however the receiver was solely focused as soon as extra by Cook dinner. Lovett continued his monstrous efficiency with 130 yards on six receptions. The duo accounted for 175 of Cook dinner’s 242 yards because the main receivers.
“Being obtainable,” Cook dinner stated on what separated Cooper right this moment. “I used to be glad to get him the ball tonight. He deserved it.”
Mevis strikes up
Missouri kicker Harrison Mevis made three area objectives Friday, marking his 59th, sixtieth and 61st completions of his profession. The sector objectives moved him into third in program historical past, passing Jeff Wolfert — who was Missouri’s place kicker from 2006-2008.
Mevis’ 21-made area objectives this season tied him for fourth in program historical past. The junior additionally holds the third most (23 in 2021) and is tied for the ninth most with Grant Ressel — who booted 17 area objectives in 2010.
On the season, Mevis ranks fifth in area objective completion proportion (77.8% 21/27) amongst SEC kickers behind Georgia’s Jack Podlesny (90.9%), Ole Miss’ Jonathan Cruz (88.2%), Alabama’s Will Reichard (84%) and Tennessee’s Chase McGrath (78.9%), following Friday’s motion.
What’s subsequent?
Missouri clinched speedy bowl eligibility Friday for a sixth consecutive season, third beneath Drinkwitz. Profitable his second Battle Line Rivalry trophy, Drinkwitz’s program improved the trophy sequence file to 6-2.
Drinkwitz did not wish to make Friday’s sport larger than it was, however the Tigers have been enjoying for yet another sport.
“We signed up for a 12-round struggle,” Drinkwitz stated. “It was spherical 12, and every part we labored for from January, bleachers in the summertime, two-a-days, nothing defeated us. And we weren’t letting the twelfth spherical defeat us both.”
Of their final two bowl eligible seasons, the Tigers misplaced the 2021 Armed Forces Bowl to Military, 24-22, and did not play the 2020 Music Metropolis Bowl as a result of constructive COVID-19 circumstances.
Now, Drinkwitz seems for his first bowl win with Missouri. The Liberty Bowl had a consultant in attendance for Missouri’s bout with Arkansas on Friday.
However the Tigers are additionally eligible for the next SEC bowl video games: Las Vegas, Gasparilla, Birmingham, Texas, ReliaQuest, Gator, Citrus and Music Metropolis. Bowl matchups will likely be introduced beginning at 11 a.m. on Dec. 4.
Which bowl video games does Drinkwitz choose although?
“An excellent one,” he chuckled.
Drinkwitz requested the media members the place they’d wish to go, and following a convincing “Las Vegas,” Drinkwitz stated he want to go there as effectively, joking he would purchase everybody within the room a cigar.
Whereas 150 cigars have been handed out within the locker room following the win, Cook dinner gave perception on the next weeks with a bonus stemming from extra time round this teammates.
“It is simply further time for us to deal with ball, get wholesome and develop as a group,” Cook dinner stated. “This one means much more than simply the ‘W’ on the file.”
Sack parade
Missouri discovered holes in Arkansas offensive line. The Tigers, led by Isaiah McGuire, sacked quarterback KJ Jefferson seven occasions for a lack of 35 yards. Previous to Friday, the Razorbacks allowed 24 sacks by 11 video games performed.
“We simply needed to get after it,” McGuire stated. “That is the mindset we now have each sport. We have been simply capable of feed off one another.”
Grabbing two sacks, too, Martez Manuel topped off his second with a Cristiano Ronaldo “Siuuu” Celebration, becoming with the FIFA World Cup in full swing this week. Johnny Walker Jr., Kristian Williams and Darius Robinson all accounted for one sack as effectively.
Tigers win for Banister
Among the many injured gamers from final Saturday towards New Mexico State, Cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper, vast receiver Barrett Banister and McGuire have been all in uniform for Missouri on Friday.
Banister warmed up gingerly pregame with a brace on his proper knee. The sixth-year receiver was on the sideline with out his helmet for all of Friday’s motion whereas not taking one snap on offense. However his damage did not halt him from contributing.
“He was teaching his butt off. Put him on employees,” Drinkwitz stated.
Cook dinner referred to as Friday’s contest Banister’s “Tremendous Bowl,” promising his vast receiver the Tigers would win for him. Lovett additionally performed not for himself Friday however for the 2 senior vast receivers: Banister and Tauskie Dove.
“I harm for him, as a result of he wished to be on the market so unhealthy,” Cook dinner stated. “However it was fairly candy to get to have fun with him tonight.”
McGuire performed by a separated AC joint in his shoulder suffered towards New Mexico State. Sporting a non-contact jersey in apply earlier this week, McGuire did not choose out of the season however put his group first..
“He did not flinch,” Drinkwitz stated. “He stated, ‘I am in. I am in. I am in.’”
McGuire trusted the group medical doctors and coaching employees. Selecting up two sacks on the evening, he joked he did not really feel a lot ache, drilling by the offensive line for one more highlight-reel night.
Amongst these injured final Saturday, security Joseph Charleston was in avenue garments, lacking his first sport of the season and paving the best way to a Jalani Williams begin. And to security Jaylon Carlies, Williams dealt with his personal.
“He won’t get as many performs because the starter does, however when is title is named, he at all times delivers,” Carlies stated. “And that is what he did right this moment.”
Each dominated out final week, tight finish Tyler Stephens and working again Michael Cox have been again in uniform for Missouri. Stephens injured his left shoulder towards Tennessee whereas the Tigers did not disclose Cox’s reasoning for being out.