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

This time, Pyne was given enough time to prepare as a starter against the Oklahoma Sooners. Cook was officially listed as out on Friday, his first missed game since the Nov. 26, 2021, matchup with the Arkansas Razorbacks.

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

“I’ve been through a lot in my career,” Pyne said. “So, you know, I’ve never had any self-confidence issues. Once you start making plays… get that first down and a little first down sign, it kind of pumps up the offense.”

As the first half concluded, it looked like Pyne’s night wasn’t going to be much different to his last two appearances. He had a total of 23 passing yards and 6 of 11 completions, while the running game reached 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 gained 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 began.

The outlook for Missouri’s offense looked bleak.

However, neither Pyne nor head coach Eli Drinkwitz had any doubts that 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 great. Pushing up in the pocket, making great passes to Luther Burden… there was no question inside this building.”

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

The Tigers took 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 for the offense, allowing Pyne breathing room to take full responsibility for moving down the field. Running back Jamal Roberts stepped up in particular, finishing with 54 yards on 13 carries.

Much like Pyne, the rise of the running game was important for the receivers.

“The run game is always good for the receivers, because it will elevate the safeties. Then we’ll have a different converter on the outside,” Wease Jr. said. “So it’s definitely good to establish the early run like we did and then at the end, We started connecting when we needed to.”

Although Roberts gave Missouri its own scare.

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

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

“Theo is very motivated. I know that every time we go at him, he will do absolutely everything he can to catch it and take it as far as he can,” Pyne said. “He’s a great leader for our team. Those two guys are awesome.”

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 its “Death Row” defense recovering four fumbles, but still, Pyne and the offense stepped up and did their job. The result and the reaction after Alabama may have destroyed most’s confidence, but inside the locker room, they were still prepared to win.

“I just can’t say how proud I am of Drew Pyne for all the shit he’s taken. I feel like I’m up here all the time having to defend my quarterback,” Drinkwitz said. “He comes out and delivers in the most key moments of the fourth quarter.”

“I’m very grateful that these guys believed in me,” Pyne said. “After Alabama, in the locker room all the guys came up to me, told me they loved me and that I would recover. We will recover… I’m very grateful.”

Despite all the criticism, Pyne emerged victorious this time.

And the support of your team? It never disappeared.