I’M LEAVING ”Brady Cook accepted a $93.5million to Depart from mizzou…see more

I’M LEAVING ”Brady Cook accepted a $93.5million to Depart from mizzou…see more

Missouri quarterback Brady Cook endures boos at home, helping Tigers keep unbeaten streak COLUMBIA, Mo.

(AP) – Missouri quarterback Brady Cook sat out most of last season to play despite a shoulder injury severe enough to require offseason surgery.

Yet because he never whined or complained, few people outside the program knew what he had to endure.

Most people see Cook’s game failing too often.

So over time, the boy from St.

Louis – who grew up dreaming of playing for the Tigers – became the scapegoat for fans desperate for their program to return to the top.

Every mistake made was magnified, every team failure forced on him, and the drumbeat for coach Eli Drinkwitz to move on to recruit prized recruit Sam Horn grew louder.

At one point Saturday, before playing No.

15 Kansas State, some in the sea of yellow even booed their starting quarterback.

Cook responded with the best performance of his career.

Despite spraining his knee late in the first half, Cook decimated the Wildcats’ secondary, throwing for 356 yards and two scores.

And in the final seconds, with the game tied and extra time about to begin, Cook got the Tigers just far enough in midfield to set up Harrison Mevis, who fired home the record.

SEC 61-yard game record, as time ticked away at the dramatic 30-minute mark.

-27 wins.

“Of course I heard it,” Cook said of the constant criticism, which should subside a bit after Saturday.

“It’s my dream school.

All I want to do is play midfielder here.

I want everyone to want me to play midfielder here.

His coach certainly does.

And unlike Cook, who tends to exploit his emotions off the field, Drinkwitz is perfectly willing to protect his quarterback.

“I was upset when we booed our starting quarterback to start the game.

That pissed me off,” Drinkwitz said, “and he went out and played hard for that team.

They must stand behind him.

This is bullshit.

This should never happen.

His performance against Kansas State last year was equally motivating.

Cook was beaten all over Bill Snyder Family Stadium on a rainy night, throwing for just 128 yards with two interceptions and no touchdowns in the 40-12 loss.

“Really, this game is about revenge,” Cook said.

“This match means a lot to me after what happened in Manhattan.

We have been put to the test.

I will never forget him.

This played a big role in my preparation for this match.

“Yeah,” Cook added, “it’s revenge.

” That was the same game last year in which Cook injured his shoulder, an injury he played through quietly throughout the rest of the season.

And when he returned to training camp, Cook found himself competing with Horn for the starting job.

Cook has held his ground, but he’s been somewhat lackluster in the first two weeks.

He posted just 172 passing yards while splitting time with Horn in the season-opening win over South Dakota, then threw for 204 yards in a 23-19 rout of Middle Tennessee State.

Maybe he’s hiding something from the Wildcats.

Cook’s yardage total set a career high to date, aided by some notable catches from Missouri receivers Luther Burden III, Mookie Cooper and Theo Wease.

“That’s why he’s the starting quarterback,” Drinkwitz said dryly.

“At this point we are still asking questions about who is Brady Cook, the guard?

The guy is a good soccer player.

He is a very good football player.

Don’t ask me about this anymore.

Maybe it’s time to ask what Cook and the Tigers can do this sea

son.

They’re heading to Saint-Louis