Five things to know about Missouri
For the second time in six seasons, Oklahoma State will face former Big 12 foe Missouri in a bowl game when the Cowboys and Tigers meet in the Liberty Bowl at 2:45 p.m. Dec. 31 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Here are five things Cowboy fans should know about Missouri:
Lengthy history
OSU and Mizzou last met in the 2014 Cotton Bowl, a 41-31 Tigers victory. It was the 52nd meeting between the programs.
The 53rd meeting on New Year’s Eve will tie Mizzou with Iowa State for the fifth most OSU has faced an opponent, behind only Oklahoma, Tulsa, Kansas and Kansas State. The Tigers and Cowboys shared a conference from 1958, when OSU joined the Big Eight, to 2011, Mizzou’s final season in the Big 12 before joining the SEC.
Veteran QB
As a junior, Mizzou quarterback Drew Lock was the nation’s leader with 44 passing touchdowns and led the SEC in passing yards and passing efficiency.
His numbers dropped in his senior year, but he’ll enter the Liberty Bowl as the SEC’s top three in career pass attempts, passing yards and passing touchdowns. Lock didn’t pass for more than 257 passing yards in a conference game in 2018, with 15 of his 25 passing touchdowns coming in the Tigers’ nonconference matchups.
OSU connections
Missouri coach Barry Odom was born in Lawton and started his coaching career as an assistant at Ada, where he played as a linebacker and running back. His nephew, Baron Odom, is a redshirt freshman on the Cowboys’ roster.
During Odom’s first year as Mizzou’s defensive coordinator in 2015, OSU offensive line coach Josh Henson was the Tigers’ offensive coordinator. Before joining Gary Pinkel’s Missouri staff, Odom was Memphis’ defensive coordinator under Justin Fuente, another Oklahoman whose Virginia Tech squad faced OSU in last year’s Camping World Bowl.
Coming in hot
The Tigers enter the Liberty Bowl on a four-game winning streak. Mizzou held its opponent to 17 points or fewer in three of the four games and scored at least 33 in each.
The Tigers’ defense has been solid throughout the year, allowing more than 300 passing yards only twice. However, opponents managed at least 180 rushing yards five times against Mizzou.
Offensive firepower
The Liberty Bowl will feature two offenses that rank in the top 20 nationally in points per game. Mizzou rushed for at least 200 yards seven times behind Larry Rountree (1,012 yards) and Damarea Crockett (709).
Lock’s 3,125 passing yards were heavily divided; the Tigers had four receivers with at least 400 yards, but none with more than 756.