When Missouri seemed down and out, it turned to running back Cody Schrader, quarterback Brady Cook and wide receiver Luther Burden III. And the “Big Three from the Gateway City” stepped up in the biggest ways possible.

Schrader ran for 128 yards and a TD as the No. 9 ranked Mizzou Tigers defeated the No. 7 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes to become the 2023 Cotton Bowl champion.

The Tigers claimed the New Year’s Six Bowl win with a 14-3 victory on Friday evening in AT&T Stadium. 

Mizzou’s red zone defense played lights out against the Buckeyes, as the Buckeyes failed to score a touchdown the entire game.

Ohio State’s only points came on Jayden Fielding’s 44-yard field goal with 3:12 left in the first quarter, and the Buckeyes punted their other six possessions before halftime. Fielding’s 48-yard attempt on the opening drive of the second half ricocheted off the upright and back into the end zone.

The 128-yard performance by Schrader was a perfect send-off by the star running back, as he plans on entering the NFL Draft in 2024.

Missouri expects to have Cook back for his third season as its starting quarterback, along with top receiving target Luther Burden III. The Tigers open the 2024 season Aug. 31 at home against Murray State.

(AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)