Drew Pyne was given a nearly impossible task when he was asked to replace Brady Cook against both Auburn and Alabama. He had to replace the Missouri Tigers’ starter during the quarterback’s mid-game. He threw three interceptions against Alabama in Week 9.

This time, Pyne was given ample time to prepare as a starter against the Oklahoma Sooners. Cook was officially eliminated on Friday – his first missed game since the Nov. 26, 2021 game against the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Pyne was disappointed at the start of the match, but his confidence never wavered. By the end of the night, he was one of the leading forces behind Missouri’s thrilling 30-23 win.

“I’ve been through a lot in my career,” Pyne said. “So, you know, I’ve never had any confidence issues in myself. Once you start playing… just get that first sign and a little first sign, something small like that strengthens the attack.”

At the end of the first half it looked like Pyne’s night wouldn’t be much different to his last two appearances. He totaled 23 passing yards and 6 of 11 pass completions, while the run game yielded 65 yards — just 88 yards as a combined offense.

The five total yards that marked the end of the Tigers’ first quarter were also the fewest gains in a quarter since 2011 for the program.

Not only did Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold finish with more passing yards than Pyne, but so did punter Luke Elzinga. They each totaled 43 passing yards, giving them a 9-3 lead before the second half started.

The prospects for the offense in Missouri seemed bleak.

However, neither Pyne nor head coach Eli Drinkwitz had any doubt they would turn the tide of the game and beat the Sooners in the first meeting between the programs since 2011.

“We had a game plan that fit exactly who (Pyne) was,” Drinkwitz said. ‘I mean, just excellent. Pushing into the pocket, making big throws to Luther Burden… there was not a shadow of a doubt in this building.”

Pyne played a very different second half. He increased his numbers to 143 passing yards, three touchdowns and 14 of 27 pass completions. Momentum began to build after a 13-yard touchdown reception for receiver Theo Wease Jr. at the 5:43 mark of the third quarter, which took a 10-9 lead.

The Tigers jumped out to a 16-9 lead with 8:47 left in the fourth quarter when Pyne hit tight end Brett Norfleet for a 5-yard touchdown.

Establishing the run was also key to the attack, giving Pyne some breathing room to take all the responsibility when taking the field. Running back Jamal Roberts in particular stepped up, finishing with 54 yards on 13 carries.

Like Pyne, stepping up the run game was important for the receivers.

“The running game is always good for receivers because it increases safety. Then we get another conversion on the outside,” Wease Jr. said. “So it’s definitely good to set up the run early like we did, and then at the end we started connecting when we needed to.”

Although Roberts scared Missouri itself.

After running back Nate Noel’s 15 yards on two carries, Roberts took the snap at 2:06. He gained three yards, but at the Missouri 40-yard line he fumbled the football after a hit by linebacker Sammy Omoshigo. Defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. returned it for 43 yards, tying the game at 23 yards apiece.

With the ball back in his hands, Pyne didn’t hesitate for a moment. He found Luther Burden III for a 35-yard gain down the left side of the field with 1:16 left, and two plays later elevated the football over the Oklahoma defense into Wease Jr.’s arm. for a 10-yard touchdown at the 1:03 mark.

‘Theo is so driven. I know when we go to him he will do absolutely everything he can to catch him and take him as far as he can,” Pyne said. “He’s such a great leader for our team. Those two guys are great.”

From there, Zion Young’s 17-yard fumble sealed the deal for the Tigers with just 22 seconds left.

Missouri wouldn’t have gotten a win without the “Death Row” defense committing four fumbles, but regardless, Pyne and the offense stepped up and did their job. The outcome and reaction after Alabama may have been a confidence killer for most, but in the locker room they remained ready to win.

“I just can’t tell you how proud I am of Drew Pyne for all the crap he’s done. I feel like I have to defend my quarterback here all the time,” Drinkwitz said. “He goes out there and delivers in key moments in the fourth quarter.”

“I’m so grateful that these guys believed in me,” Pyne said. “After Alabama, in the locker room, every guy came up to me, told me they loved me and that I would bounce back. We will bounce back. … I’m just so grateful.”

Despite all the criticism, Pyne came out on top this time.

And the support of his team? It never disappeared.