Brady Cook’s Comeback Leads Missouri to 21-17 Win Over Auburn \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Missouri quarterback Brady Cook overcame an ankle injury and a midgame hospital visit to lead two crucial fourth-quarter touchdown drives, including the game-winning run by Jamal Roberts with 46 seconds remaining, securing a 21-17 win over Auburn. Despite missing nearly two quarters, Cook returned to spark the Tigers’ comeback, keeping Missouri’s College Football Playoff hopes alive. Auburn, meanwhile, struggled with turnovers and missed opportunities, extending its SEC losing streak.
Brady Cook’s Heroic Comeback Lifts Missouri Over Auburn: Quick Looks
- Brady Cook returns: After a hospital visit, Missouri QB Brady Cook reenters the game and orchestrates two fourth-quarter touchdown drives.
- Game-winning drive: Cook leads a 95-yard drive, ending with Jamal Roberts’ touchdown to secure the victory.
- Auburn’s struggles: Auburn held a 17-6 lead but couldn’t close out the game, falling to 0-4 in SEC play.
- Missouri’s resilience: The Tigers’ defense held Auburn to 286 yards, keeping the game close until Cook’s return.
- Playoff implications: Missouri’s undefeated season remains intact as they prepare for a tough matchup against Alabama.
Deep Look
In one of the most dramatic comebacks of the season, Missouri quarterback Brady Cook returned from an ankle injury and a hospital visit to lead his team to a thrilling 21-17 victory over Auburn on Saturday. Cook, who had left the game early in the first quarter after injuring his ankle, re-entered late in the third quarter and led two crucial touchdown drives in the fourth, including the game-winning run by Jamal Roberts with just 46 seconds left. The win keeps Missouri undefeated and solidifies their position as a legitimate contender in the SEC and the College Football Playoff race.
Brady Cook’s Midgame Injury and Return
Cook was injured on Missouri’s first drive of the game, slipping on the turf and hobbling off the field in clear pain. After being taken to the locker room, Cook was sent to a nearby hospital for an MRI to evaluate his ankle. During his absence, Missouri struggled offensively, falling behind 17-6 as Auburn’s defense stifled the Tigers’ attack.
Cook later revealed that he didn’t expect to return to the game. “It was a long hour-and-a-half for sure. I did not think I was going to come back to play in the game. My stuff was off, my pads were off,” Cook said after the game. “But I realized I had 2 1/2 games left to play in Faurot Field. We were going to find a way.”
Despite the bleak outlook, Cook was cleared to return late in the third quarter after tests revealed no serious damage to his ankle. His return sparked a surge of momentum for Missouri, with Cook’s leadership and grit providing the spark that turned the game around.
Fourth-Quarter Comeback
Missouri’s defense, which had been solid throughout the game, continued to hold Auburn in check, giving Cook one more opportunity to lead a game-winning drive. Starting at their own 5-yard line with just 4:26 left in the game, Cook showed remarkable poise and determination, despite playing on a sore ankle. On third-and-7, Cook ran for a first down, and on a fourth-and-5, he hit star wide receiver Luther Burden III for another key conversion. As time wound down, Cook found Wease again on a third-and-10 pass, then connected with Mekhi Miller inside Auburn’s 10-yard line with just over a minute to play.
With the game on the line, running back Jamal Roberts finished the drive with a go-ahead touchdown run from two yards out, putting Missouri ahead 21-17 with 46 seconds left.
“He could have sat out and watched the game from the sideline, or on TV,” Roberts said afterward, praising Cook’s resilience. “And that showed the brotherhood we have here.”
Auburn’s Missed Opportunities
Auburn, which came into the game with a 2-4 record and desperate for a win, looked poised to pull off an upset after taking a 17-6 lead. The Tigers scored early in the second half on a 47-yard touchdown pass from Payton Thorne to Cam Coleman, and then capitalized on a muffed punt by Missouri’s Luther Burden III, which was recovered by Auburn’s Antonio Kite in the end zone for a 17-3 lead.
However, Auburn’s offense failed to build on that momentum. Despite multiple opportunities to put the game out of reach, the Tigers couldn’t convert in key moments. Thorne, who finished with 176 passing yards and one touchdown, threw two costly interceptions, while Auburn’s running game struggled to get going, managing only 110 rushing yards.
“We seem to not make the right call as coaches or the right play from time to time in critical moments, and that’s kind of been the story the whole year,” said Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze, whose team has now lost its first four SEC games in back-to-back seasons for the first time in school history.
Missouri’s Defensive Stand
“We’ve got some tough guys out there. They really fought through it,” said Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz. “There’s a lot of fight in that team, and to figure it out like that bodes well for the rest of the year.”
Cook finished with 194 passing yards in less than two quarters of play, but it was his leadership and resilience that ultimately made the difference. Missouri’s offense came alive in the fourth quarter, finishing with 385 total yards, including 191 rushing yards.
Auburn’s Struggles Continue
Auburn’s loss extends their disappointing season, dropping the team to 2-5 overall and 0-4 in SEC play. The Tigers have struggled with consistency on both sides of the ball, and turnovers have been a recurring issue. Against Missouri, Auburn lost one fumble and threw three interceptions, continuing a trend of mistakes that have plagued the team all season.
Auburn’s only wins this season have come against Alabama A&M and New Mexico, and the road ahead doesn’t get any easier. The Tigers will finish their three-game SEC road trip next Saturday at Kentucky, where they’ll look to avoid a fifth straight loss.
Missouri’s Playoff Aspirations Stay Alive
With the win, Missouri improves to 7-0 and remains in the hunt for the College Football Playoff. The Tigers’ schedule, however, becomes significantly more difficult in the coming weeks. They will face seventh-ranked Alabama on the road next Saturday, followed by matchups against Tennessee and Georgia later in the season.
Cook’s health will be something to monitor, as Missouri will need him at full strength to navigate the difficult stretch ahead. Despite the challenge, Missouri’s resilience and depth—particularly on defense—have proven that they are capable of competing with the top teams in the SEC.
What’s Next?
- Auburn: Auburn will wrap up its three-game SEC road trip next Saturday night at Kentucky, hoping to snap their losing streak.
- Missouri: The Tigers head to Tuscaloosa to face seventh-ranked Alabama in what will be their biggest test of the season so far.
Takeaways
- Brady Cook’s toughness: Cook’s return from injury and his leadership in the fourth quarter solidified his standing as a clutch player for Missouri. His health will be crucial as the Tigers enter the toughest part of their schedule.
- Auburn’s issues continue: The Tigers’ season has been marred by turnovers and inconsistent play, and their inability to close out games continues to haunt them.
- Missouri’s playoff hopes: The Tigers’ undefeated season keeps them in the playoff conversation, but they face a tough road ahead with games against Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia.
