A 78-yard receiver play from quarterback Brady Cook to wide receiver Mookie Cooper changed the momentum in Missouri’s favor, and then came the Missouri anthem, Mr. Brightside, at the start of the fourth quarter.

Missouri’s first touchdown came shortly after and Cook scored a two-point conversion to reduce the large deficit.

Missouri’s offense was quickly thrown off track early on. Just a few minutes into the game, Missouri quarterback Brady Cook was sidelined with an ankle injury. The offense was led by transfer Drew Pyne for the first three quarters.

But it wasn’t just Cook’s injury that set the offense back, but also injuries to tight end Brett Norfleet and running back Nate Noel.

Under Pyne there was little rush and little rhythm on offense. They managed only one field goal on a drive largely run by Cook and missed two other field goal opportunities from 49 and 55 yards. Missouri dominated in terms of time of possession, but there were hardly any points in the first half and the score only ended 3-3.

Auburn quickly took the lead early in the third quarter with a 47-yard touchdown pass. From that point on, the game quickly unraveled.

The second touchdown of the game came shortly afterwards. There was an error by Luther Burden III on special teams. A punt went through his arms and was received by Auburn for a touchdown. Missouri trailed 17-3, its only points coming on the first drive of the game.

Cheers erupted from the crowd when Cook returned to the game with just 30 seconds left in the third quarter. His presence alone sparked a momentum shift for the Tigers.

It was initially announced that Cook was likely to return, but as his absence became longer this was deemed less likely. At halftime, a Missouri spokesman said Cook likely would not return to the game.

After the touchdown early in the fourth quarter, Missouri was only three points behind Auburn.

Things looked bleak when Cook was sacked with less than two minutes left. Missouri had a fourth-and-5 with 1:34 left when they decided to go for it. They got the first down on a pass to Burden.

A few plays later, running back Jamal Roberts rushed in and took the lead 21-17 after the extra point. Mizzou had completely turned the game on its head.

Apparently Cook was exactly what Missouri desperately needed to win.

Immediate thoughts from Missouri’s hard-fought victory over No. 19 Auburn
Quarterback Brady Cook makes surprising return against Auburn