Missouri’s Josey sparks victory
Runs for three scores as Tigers outlast former rival Cowboys
ARLINGTON, Texas — Henry Josey ran for 92 yards and three touchdowns, the final one a 16-yarder with 3:08 left, and No. 9 Missouri beat No. 13 Oklahoma State, 41-31, Friday night in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium.
These former Big 12 and Big Eight Conference rivals traded points on six consecutive possessions in the fourth quarter, until Oklahoma State quarterback Clint Chelf was sacked and fumbled with a minute left. Defensive lineman Shane Ray picked up the ball and rumbled 73 yards down the sideline in front of the stunned Cowboys bench to score.
Southeastern Conference East Division champion Missouri (122) matched its school record for victories, giving the SEC its 10th win in the past 11 Cotton Bowls, all against the Big 12.
Josey’s go-ahead touchdown came a play after James Franklin’s 27-yard pass to Dorial GreenBeckham to convert third-and-9. Franklin, Missouri’s quarterback whose final two seasons were plagued by injuries, had two fumbles earlier in the second half when Oklahoma State (10-3) overcame a 10-point deficit to tie it in just over 3½ minutes.
Ray had been dragged into the end zone by Desmond Roland when the Oklahoma State running back bulled through the line for a 2-yard touchdown run with five minutes left to give the Cowboys their only lead of the game. Ray hit him immediately at the line, but couldn’t keep Roland from scoring.
Franklin was only 15-of-40 passing for 174 yards with an interception, and almost another returned for a score.
Chelf threw for 381 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions, completing 33 of 57 passes. He also ran 10 times for 48 yards, including a 23-yard run to convert third-and-10 only a few plays before he was sacked by AllSEC defensive end Michael Sam and knocked the ball loose.
That gave Sam 11½ sacks, the most in the SEC and matching a school record.
Missouri wrapped up its second SEC season since leaving the Big 12. The Tigers debuted in their new league with a losing season, but made it to the SEC championship in their second year before losing to No. 2 Auburn.
“What a great way to finish the season,” said Missouri coach Gary Pinkel, whose 102nd victory snapped a tie with Don Faurot for the most in school history.
With the score tied, Franklin appeared to throw his second interception with nine minutes left. But with Tyler Patmon running 40 yards to the end zone for an apparent go-ahead touchdown, a flag was thrown for pass interference and Missouri kept the ball. The Tigers settled for Andrew Baggett’s 46-yard field goal.
Oklahoma State then went 75 yards for its only lead, the longest play on the drive being when Tracy Moore was fully extended and lunging forward when he caught a 41-yard pass to the Tigers 28.
The Cowboys were trying to win 11 games for the third time in four seasons. Before Mike Gundy became the coach in 2005, the Cowboys had never won 11 games.
Missouri trailed, 17-7, at halftime before getting even after the two fumbles by Franklin.
That sequence actually began when Chelf was picked off by Braylon Webb. But Missouri gave the ball back on the next play when Franklin fumbled on a botched handoff, with James Castleman recovered at the Tigers 33.
Chelf threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Jhajuan Seales with 2:10 left in the third quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, Franklin’s pitch was well behind Josey, and recovered by Daytawion Lowe at the Tigers 11. Oklahoma State had to settle for a tying 32-yard field goal by Ben Grogan, making up for an earlier miss.