Missouri running back Cody Schrader (7) runs the ball past Vanderbilt defenders Trudell Berry (30) and Bryan Longwell (54) in the first half of Saturday’s SEC football game at Vanderbilt’s FirstBank Stadium. (Photo courtesy: Associated Press)

NCAA Football – Sept. 30, 20231st2nd3rd4thFinal
#23 Missouri (5-0, 1-0)31471438
Vanderbilt (2-3, 0-2)7001421

Cedric Williams
Senior Editor

NASHVILLE, TN — When the 2023 NCAA football season began, some University of Missouri fans weren’t sure they wanted St. Louis native Brady Cook to be their quarterback anymore. Cook had a less than spectacular season in 2022. And many fans were ready for a change.

But so far this year, Cook has not only looked like Missouri’s best option at quarterback, he’s looked like one of the best players at quarterback in the entire Southeastern Conference.

And that was particularly the case on Saturday, when Cook completed 33 of 41 passes for a career-high 395 yards and four touchdowns to lead Mizzou to a 38-21 victory over Vanderbilt, in an SEC league game at Vanderbilt’s FirstBank Stadium.

“I think I’m becoming a lot more confident,” Cook said. “I know the receivers are and the offensive line is. The offense as a whole is confident, and if we get over that hump of getting stopped halfway through the game and make the next leap to put games away, we’ll be in a really good spot.”

Cook also set a new SEC record for most consecutive passes without an interception. The previous mark was 325. Cook has now thrown 347 straight passes without a pick. And that is a big reason why the No. 23-ranked Tigers are now 5-0 on the season.

“We’re just very proud of that kid,” Mizzou head coach Eli Drinkwitz said. “The way he’s worked. The way he’s battled. He’s our quarterback for a reason.”

Mizzou also got big days from receivers Luther Burden III and Theo Wease. Both went over the 100-yard mark (11 catches, 140 yards for Burden and 10 catches, 118 yards for Wease). It was the first time Missouri had two receivers go over 100 yards in the same game since 2018.

Burden also had two touchdown catches and Wease had one. Freshman Marquis “Speedy” Johnson had the other — a 44-yard strike, early in the fourth quarter — as Mizzou’s air attack proved too much for Vanderbilt to handle.

“They just kept hitting big plays on us,” Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea said. “They’re a difficult group to play against. Lot of speed. Lot of quick plays to hit for big yards. We were trying different things. They were still getting open.”

That proved important, as Vanderbilt kept the pressure on, even as Mizzou went ahead 24-7 and 31-14. The Commodores answered with touchdowns of their own to keep the game within 10 points.

It wasn’t until Cook hit Burden for a 17-yard touchdown with 4:23 left that the Tigers knew they had the game in hand.

“I think I’m becoming a lot more confident,” Cook said. “I know the receivers are and the offensive line is. The offense as a whole is confident, and if we get over that hump of getting stopped halfway through the game and make the next leap to put games away, we’ll be in a really good spot.”

Vanderbilt’s last drive ended with a three-and-out and a punt, with just under three minutes to play. From there, Mizzou picked up two first downs, then ran out the clock with kneel downs to seal their fifth win of the year.

“We feel like the team is going to go through us,” Burden said of the Mizzou receiving corps and offense. “So, we’ve got to come with it every game and set the tone.”

Missouri will be back in action next Saturday, with what figures to be a huge matchup against current No. 13 LSU. Those Tigers are coming off a loss on Saturday to rival Mississippi, in a game that came down to the final play.

The Mizzou-LSU game will kickoff at Faurot Field at 11 a.m., and will be televised live on ESPN.

Scoring Summary

QtrTimeScoring PlayMIZVAN
1st06:57MIZ – Mevis,Harrison 23 yd field goal 14 plays, 69 yards, TOP 05:4330
1st03:46VAN – Seals,Ken 6 yd run (Borcila,Jacob kick), 8 plays, 76 yards, TOP 03:0537
2nd12:27MIZ – Schrader,Cody 1 yd run (Mevis,Harrison kick), 12 plays, 85 yards, TOP 06:15107
2nd00:55MIZ – Wease,Theo 12 yd pass from Cook,Brady (Mevis,Harrison kick) 7 plays, 59 yards, TOP 02:27177
3rd10:37MIZ – Burden,Luther 18 yd pass from Cook,Brady (Mevis,Harrison kick) 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:23247
4th12:59VAN – Sheppard,Will 31 yd pass from Seals,Ken (Borcila,Jacob kick) 2 plays, 60 yards, TOP 00:332414
4th11:10MIZ – Johnson,Marquis 44 yd pass from Cook,Brady (Mevis,Harrison kick) 4 plays, 65 yards, TOP 01:493114
4th09:36VAN – Sherrill,Junior 45 yd pass from Seals,Ken (Borcila,Jacob kick) 3 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:343121
4th04:23MIZ – Burden,Luther 17 yd pass from Cook,Brady (Mevis,Harrison kick) 3 plays, 19 yards, TOP 01:193821

2023 MISSOURI TIGERS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

DateTimeAtOpponentLocationTVRadio
October 7, 2023 (Saturday)11:00 AMHome#13 LSUFaurot FieldTiger Radio Network
October 14, 2023 (Saturday)TBAAwayKentuckyLexington, Ky.Tiger Radio Network
October 21, 2023 (Saturday)TBAHomeSouth CarolinaFaurot FieldTiger Radio Network
November 4, 2023 (Saturday)TBAAwayGeorgiaAthens, Ga.Tiger Radio Network
November 11, 2023 (Saturday)TBAHomeTennesseeFaurot FieldTiger Radio Network
November 18, 2023 (Saturday)TBAHomeFloridaFaurot FieldTiger Radio Network
November 24, 2023 (Friday)3:00 PMAwayArkansasFayetteville, Ark.CBSTiger Radio Network