Arkansas vs. Missouri score: QB Brady Cook shines as Tigers top Razorbacks, earn bowl eligibility

Cook was a dangerous rushing threat in a three-touchdown performance as Missouri got a needed sixth win

Missouri topped Arkansas 29-27 to regain control of the Battle Line Trophy after it lost to the Razorbacks at the end of last year's regular season. It was a battle of second-half field goals; Missouri's Harrison Mevis hit a 29-yarder midway through the third quarter to make it 29-21. The Tigers defense kept the Razorbacks out of the end zone from that point on to secure their sixth win of the season and earn a bowl bid for the third straight season under coach Eli Drinkwitz.

Tigers quarterback Brady Cook did it all. The junior had 242 yards passing and one touchdown, plus he rushed for 135 more and added another score on the ground. His 23-yard touchdown pass to Luther Burden III with 10:09 to play in the third quarter gave them a 26-21 lead and turned out to be the game-winning score. Burden was the only receiver who found the end zone, but Dominic Lovett was Cook's most reliable target of the afternoon with six catches for 155 yards.

Arkansas had plenty of chances. Quarterback KJ Jefferson had three touchdowns -- two passing, one rushing -- including an 8-yarder to running back Raheim Sanders that gave the Hogs a short-lived lead early in the third quarter. Jefferson and Sanders had their work cut out for them all day, though. Missouri notched 11 tackles for loss totaling 70 yards. They sacked Jefferson six times on the afternoon despite Jefferson being a load at 6-foot-3, 242 pounds. Jefferson finished the day 20 of 27 for 205 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, 38 yards rushing and a rushing touchdown in the first quarter. 

Missouri and Arkansas both await their bowl fate after posting six-win seasons in 2022.

[Nov 25, 2022 at 7:28 pm ET · @MizzouFootball via Twitter]

#MIZ 🐯🏈 pic.twitter.com/uKzoZh74RK

— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) November 26, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 6:51 pm ET · @MizzouFootball via Twitter]

The Trophy is coming HOME! #MIZ🐯🏈 pic.twitter.com/Vwcp1FuMf9

— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 6:50 pm ET · @RazorbackFB via Twitter]

On to bowl season pic.twitter.com/ZLEL7EFTi5

— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 6:34 pm ET · @RazorbackFB via Twitter]

The SEC sack leader at it again pic.twitter.com/shj3zbaUf8

— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 6:27 pm ET · @MizzouFootball via Twitter]

BIG time sack. #MIZ🐯 pic.twitter.com/EsnqHEg745

— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 6:10 pm ET · @RazorbackFB via Twitter]

Three on the board to start the fourth pic.twitter.com/Os7qaqCOnU

— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 6:03 pm ET · @RazorbackFB via Twitter]

Gonna be a fight to the finish pic.twitter.com/zEpIMiDmFy

— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 6:02 pm ET · @MizzouFootball via Twitter]

Almost there 🏆#MIZ🐯🏈 pic.twitter.com/t0yRXzjPM7

— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 5:53 pm ET · @RazorbackFB via Twitter]

Little good from 46 yards pic.twitter.com/Od3SX5xd9F

— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 5:45 pm ET · @MizzouFootball via Twitter]

Mevis is true from 29, his third of the day. Extends Mizzou's leads to 29-21 with 5:32 left in the third!#MIZ 🐯🏈 pic.twitter.com/2dgDuMua6Z

— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 5:43 pm ET · @MizzouFootball via Twitter]

SUDDEN CHANGE! 🚨

Carnell with his second interception in as many games and the Tigers take over on the Arkansas 29-yard line!#MIZ 🐯🏈 pic.twitter.com/2bLAS2MpL8

— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 5:36 pm ET · @MizzouFootball via Twitter]

Cook to Burden for the 23-yard score! Two-point try is unsuccessful but Mizzou leads 26-21 with 10:09 left in the 3rd quarter.

📺 @SEConCBS #MIZ 🐯🏈 pic.twitter.com/nttAug7H2l

— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 5:28 pm ET · @RazorbackFB via Twitter]

Back at it for half two

Watch: https://t.co/6SCiXopxxm pic.twitter.com/tW2kyt4ELP

— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 5:06 pm ET · @MizzouFootball via Twitter]

Two more quarters left. #MIZ🐯🏈 pic.twitter.com/zU9exjp7nF

— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 5:04 pm ET · @RazorbackFB via Twitter]

Leading at the halfway point pic.twitter.com/zkX4hRRZyO

— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 5:00 pm ET · @RazorbackFB via Twitter]

A third 75-yard touchdown drive for the Hogs today pic.twitter.com/mSVwKivNgA

— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 5:00 pm ET · @RazorbackFB via Twitter]

Back out front pic.twitter.com/hHnedFrPOY

— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 4:57 pm ET · @RazorbackFB via Twitter]

A little pitch and catch pic.twitter.com/jc3PXT04Sh

— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 4:56 pm ET · @RazorbackFB via Twitter]

He can catch too folks pic.twitter.com/ukbeqHqdiU

— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 4:46 pm ET · @MizzouFootball via Twitter]

With this rush, Cook surpasses his previous career-high rushing yards. He currently sits at 114. #MIZ🐯🏈 pic.twitter.com/pGGz4EYBjw

— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 4:37 pm ET · @RazorbackFB via Twitter]

Both of our touchdown drives today have been 75 yards pic.twitter.com/UZDLWHcdMc

— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 4:36 pm ET · @RazorbackFB via Twitter]

He said GIMMIE DAT pic.twitter.com/4i7OdAr53A

— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 4:35 pm ET · @RazorbackFB via Twitter]

Jump ball. LANDERS. pic.twitter.com/wYsHsgKwND

— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 4:32 pm ET · @RazorbackFB via Twitter]

Witchcraft pic.twitter.com/Uy7KOdnvUZ

— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 4:27 pm ET · @MizzouFootball via Twitter]

Cook on the 9-yard keeper for his sixth rushing score of the season! Mizzou leads 17-7 to open the second quarter. #MIZ 🐯🏈

— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 4:24 pm ET · @MizzouFootball via Twitter]

First quarter in the books! #MIZ🐯 pic.twitter.com/bgkigvHPBh

— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 4:22 pm ET · @MizzouFootball via Twitter]

An early #SCtop10 contender on a 55-yard strike from Cook to Lovett. Tigers are knocking on the door to start the second stanza!

📺 @SEConCBS #MIZ 🐯🏈 pic.twitter.com/scIVFgQu4R

— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 4:12 pm ET · @MizzouFootball via Twitter]

Schrader takes the handoff and scampers into the end zone to make things 10-7 in favor of Mizzou! His eighth score of the year.

📺 CBS#MIZ 🐯🏈 pic.twitter.com/TSyX2rkyCg

— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 4:05 pm ET · @RazorbackFB via Twitter]

Hogs get a touchdown on the board. pic.twitter.com/KLBJH72QQ8

— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) November 25, 2022

[Nov 25, 2022 at 4:04 pm ET · @RazorbackFB via Twitter]

Walk in the park pic.twitter.com/aLfeJzA261

— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) November 25, 2022