Mizzou Network Highlights: Mizzou Cotton Bowl Champions

Mizzou strolled in to Dallas looking for its second Cotton Bowl Championship in as many visits, each time as a member of a different conference.

Early in the game, Oklahoma State’s quarterback got flushed out to the right side and didn’t account for Mizzou’s E.J. Gaines underneath to nab a big interception that helped set the tone for the Tigers in the first quarter.

Running back Henry Josey has taken some rough hits in the past few games, including this one into the sideline sign. A facemask penalty was called on the play and gave the Tigers 15 more yards on this one.

Josey came back with a run that made the game 7-0 in favor of Mizzou early on.

In the second quarter, redshirt freshman Maty Mauk came in at quarterback and tried his hand at running with the ball and found great success. This opened up the secondary for Mauk to find Marcus Lucas in the end zone to put Mizzou up 14-7.

The Tiger defensive line let its presence known as Kony Ealy found his way to the quarterback twice on the same drive.

Quarterback James Franklin got a nice run to help set up an Andrew Baggett field goal to make the score 17-7 at the half. Mizzou felt good about the lead but knew that the game was far from over.

In the third quarter, Braylon Webb got an interception and turned the ball around the other way to help establish a fourth quarter for the ages.

Josey came back with a misdirection run and dived for a 24-17 lead at that point.

With 6:29 left, Baggett hit another field goal that gave Mizzou another lead, 27-24. Then Josey found the end zone again for another lead 34-31. That’s when Oklahoma State drove upfield for a memorable play, started by the All-American.

Michael Sam came from behind the quarterback to make a sack and cause a fumble. Then, in a play Mizzou fans aren’t likely to forget for a long time, Shane Ray picked up the fumble and ran it back 73 yards for the touchdown.