Blake Craig connected on two field goals of over 50 yards each in the fourth quarter to propel the Missouri Tigers past the Iowa Hawkeyes 27-24 on Monday, Dec. 30 in the Transperfect Music City Bowl in Nashville.
The Liberty North product tied the game in the fourth quarter on a 51-yard boot, taking advantage of the game’s lone turnover, an interception by Toriano Pride Junior. Mizzou’s defense forced a three-and-out to get the ball back. After the drive stalled at Iowa’s 39, Craig set up to become the Tigers’ hero, matching his career-best distance of 56 yards to give Missouri their first lead of the game with 4:36 remaining.
That field goal proved to be the difference as on Iowa’s final drive, Johnny Walker Jr sacked Iowa quarterback Brendan Sullivan for a 12-yard loss, then the defense tackled Jacob Gill just short of the line to gain on third down. That set up a fourth-and-short for the Hawkeyes with just over a minute to play, when Sullivan attempted a keeper to the left, and was promptly stuffed short of the down marker by a pair of Mizzou defenders.
Iowa had relied on the ground game for their offense, recording 38 carries for 166 yards, led by Kamari Moulton’s 14 totes for 96 yards and a score. Sullivan threw for 131 yards and went 14-for-18, including the opening score to Terrell Washington Junior. Mizzou tied the game on a eight-yard pass from Brady Cook to Theo Wease Junior, but Iowa retook the lead on a 103-yard kickoff return by Kaden Wetjen. Cook’s second touchdown pass of the day went to Marquis Johnson early in the second quarter, but Iowa would take the lead back with Moulton’s one-yard plunge with 49 seconds behind halftime. Iowa’s Drew Stevens extended the Hawkeye lead with a 38-yard field goal on their first drive of the second half, in what turned out to be Iowa’s only points after intermission. Joshua Manning ran four yards for Mizzou’s third score of the game.
Mizzou outgained Iowa 376 yards to 297, with 287 of that coming from the air, as Brady Cook went 18 for 32 including the two touchdowns. He also led the rushing game with 14 carries for 54 yards to earn bowl MVP honors. Johnson was Mizzou’s top receiver, recording 122 yards and one touchdown on seven catches. Mizzou struggled with penalties at times, with three of the Tigers’ six penalties for 60 yards coming on the same drive.
The Tigers wrap up the season with a 10-3 record, marking the second consecutive year with 10 or more wins, and the eighth such season in program history.