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Grading Missouri football's stunning comeback victory over Oklahoma

Do you believe your eyes?

Missouri football defeated Oklahoma 30-23 on Saturday in Columbia with 14 points in the final 63 seconds of the game.

Here’s how we graded Missouri in a remarkable comeback:

Offense: B

For the full first half, Mizzou was a non-factor on offense.

But Drew Pyne came up big when he needed to, throwing three touchdown passes in the second half, including a game-tying back-shoulder fade to Theo Wease Jr with one minute to play.

Defense: A

Zion Young recovered Triston Newson’s forced fumble and returned it 17 yards for the game-winning score with 30 seconds to play.

After one of multiple special teams blunders handed OU good field position at the start of the second half, Mizzou’s defense responded with a four-play turnover on downs to, so it turned out, set up MU’s first touchdown drive.

In the fourth quarter, Marvin Burks Jr. forced a fumble and Tre’Vez Johnson recovered to hand Mizzou’s offense a 30-yard field. The Tigers turned that into another 7.

Mizzou’s defense, take a bow.

Special teams: D

A second fake-punt nightmare hit Missouri special teams as OU punter Luke Elzinga took the snap, hit a jump pass and OU traveled 43 yards into the Mizzou 10-yard line. The Sooners turned that into 3 points.

To boot, Blake Craig missed a PAT in the fourth quarter. Bad night overall for special teams, but not a disaster in the end.

Coaches: C

Kirby Moore’s play-calling in the second half makes you wonder what happened in the opening 30 minutes, but the three touchdown plays to Wease and Brett Norfleet were excellently drawn up.

Corey Batoon had one of his best nights as Mizzou’s defensive play-caller, and should get all the credit for a game plan that almost completely shut Oklahoma’s offense down.

Nov 9, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Drew Pyne (6) drops back to pass during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Nov 9, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Drew Pyne (6) drops back to pass during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri football report card: Tigers win comeback victory over Oklahoma