Just in general, Cook‘s presence brought more stability and control to Missouri’s offense. On his third play back in the game, he completed a 78-yard pass to Mookie Cooper. Auburn helped Missouri on that play with a couple missed tackles, but it was a throw that backup quarterback Drew Pyne didn’t seem to have the trust and confidence to make.

Momentum began to swing in Auburn’s favor at the 13:55 mark in the 3rd quarter when Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne exited the game after taking a tough hit. He returned one play later and delivered a 47-yard pass to Cam Coleman to give Auburn the 10-3 lead with 12:34 to go in the quarter.