High marks are in order for Hubbard
OSU’s 38-33 upset of Missouri in the Liberty Bowl was full of intriguing moments, and the grades reflect a rousing victory:
Chuba Hubbard
AWho needs Justice Hill? Hubbard gained 145 yards on 18 carries, with a variety of big runs via broken tackles and nifty cuts. Hubbard was productive no matter the formation. With two wide receivers, Hubbard gained 79 yards on eight carries. With three wide receivers, 42 yards on eight carries. With four wide receivers, 24 yards on two carries.
Score-zone defense
AMissouri got inside the OSU 20-yard line on five possessions. The Cowboys allowed only two touchdowns on those series, including the game-saving stop on fourth down with a minute left. Missouri kicked two field goals but also was compelled to try a field goal after taking over another possession at OSU’s 32-yard line. Even on Mizzou’s first touchdown, the Cowboy defense played tough, forcing the Tigers to convert two third downs.
Young Cowboy defensive backs
BThe Cowboys lost cornerback Rodarius Williams to a first-quarter
Ctargeting penalty, then lost Williams’ backup, Kemah Siverand, to a fourth-quarter targeting penalty. And safety Malcolm Rodriguez was lost to injury in the first quarter. Mizzou quarterback Drew Lock repeatedly picked on the newcomers for big plays. But OSU’s young DBs held tough, none more so than true freshman Kolby Peel, who made three huge plays on Mizzou’s final drive — a hit on Jalen Knox that prevented a 25-yard completion to the 7-yard line, a second-and-3 tackle on tailback Larry Rountree that prevented a first down and finally, two plays later, a fourth-and-1 stop of Lock on a naked bootleg.
Taylor Cornelius
Corndog was named the Liberty Bowl MVP and had big numbers — 26 of 44 passing for 336 yards and four touchdowns. But Cornelius threw two interceptions off poor decisions that nearly cost OSU the game. Both came on scrambles, both came with the Cowboys in scoring position, both should have been thrown away and both were followed by long Missouri touchdowns. OSU led 35-19 to start the fourth quarter, but in less than 200 seconds, it was 35-33. Fifthyear seniors shouldn’t make those kinds of throws.
Receivers
AMissouri did a great job on Biletnikoff Award finalist Tylan Wallace, who was thrown to 14 times but had just seven catches for 83 yards. No matter. Tyron Johnson came up huge, with seven catches for 141 yards, including a great catch for 32 yards that was followed by his 46-yard touchdown catch on the next play. Dillon Stoner had six catches for 59 yards and ran tough after the catch. OSU had no drops.
Fourth quarter
DWhen the third quarter ended, OSU had a 35-19 lead and had the ball on the Missouri 28-yard line. But the fourth quarter was disastrous. Cornelius threw two interceptions. Missouri stopped a fake punt. The Tigers averaged 11.6 yards per play and outscored OSU 14-3. The only redeeming parts of the fourth period were two huge stops — the dramatic final drive, and Justin Phillips’ third-and-1 tackle of Rountree for a one-yard loss that set up a blocked field goal.
Game plans
ABoth OSU coordinators had a strong game. On offense, Mike Yurcich mixed in more power sets, including 12 snaps with only two wide receivers. On defense, Jim Knowles had a nice blend of blitzes and fake blitzes, which kept Lock somewhat off balance.