Well, folks, lemme tell ya somethin’ ’bout that big game that happened down in Arlington, Texas. The 88th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, it was called, and it sure got folks talkin’. It was a battle between the No. 9 Missouri Tigers and the No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes. Now, you know, when you got them two big names playin’, you expect some real fireworks. But let me tell ya, that first half, well, it was like watchin’ paint dry! Not much action, not much to cheer for.
Both teams were real slow outta the gate. The Tigers, they wasn’t doin’ too much, and the Buckeyes? Well, they didn’t look like the mighty team folks said they were. It wasn’t until the second half when things finally got rollin’. Missouri’s offense, which had been quieter than a mouse in church, suddenly woke up and started movin’. They got to hittin’ and runnin’, and before ya knew it, the score started changin’ real quick.
Now, the star of the show was Cody Schrader, that All-America runnin’ back. He was just plowin’ through Ohio State’s defense like a bull through a gate. He racked up 128 yards and even managed to slip past ‘em for a touchdown. Let me tell ya, that boy can run like a dog after a rabbit! He was the reason Missouri was able to pull ahead, and they held onto that lead like a dog with a bone.
The final score was 14-3, with Missouri takin’ the win. That’s right, the Tigers beat the Buckeyes in front of a big crowd of 70,114 folks down at AT&T Stadium. Ohio State, they didn’t get much goin’, even with some big names on their side. In fact, one of their biggest players, Marvin Harrison Jr., decided to opt outta the game. I reckon he figured he had better things to do than play in this one. Must’ve been too cold or somethin’, I don’t know.
The Missouri team, though, they played with heart. They came into this game with a 10-2 record, and they weren’t about to let Ohio State spoil their season. They showed that they could hang with the big dogs, even though not many folks gave ’em a chance at first. The game wasn’t no high-scoring affair, but it sure had a lotta grit, and them Tigers sure earned their place in the win column.
Now, if we talk history a bit, Missouri and Ohio State don’t play each other all the time. Matter of fact, their last meeting before this was back in 1976, a long time ago! So this game was a special one for sure, bein’ only the fourth time they’ve met in nearly 50 years. It’s kinda wild to think about how the two teams’ paths hardly cross anymore, but when they do, you know it’s somethin’ to remember.
All in all, the 88th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic was a real treat for the folks down there in Texas. Missouri showed they had what it took to beat one of the best teams in the country, and the win will go down as one of their best victories in years. Now, maybe Ohio State will learn a thing or two and come back stronger next season. But for now, Missouri’s takin’ that victory and runnin’ with it like Schrader runnin’ through the Buckeyes’ defense!
Final score:
Missouri Tigers 14, Ohio State Buckeyes 3
Tags：[Goodyear Cotton Bowl, Missouri Tigers, Ohio State Buckeyes, Football, 2023 Cotton Bowl, AT&T Stadium, Cody Schrader, College Football, Cotton Bowl Classic, Big Ten, SEC East, Football History]
