Ohio State Buckeyes Suffer First Bowl Game Losing Streak Since 2014 In Cotton Bowl vs. Missouri
The clock might have struck zero at AT&T Stadium, but the pain inside Ohio State fans' hearts only grows with each new stat.
Ohio State's 14-3 loss against Missouri in the Cotton Bowl Classic now marks the first bowl game losing streak for the Buckeyes in nearly a decade. The defeat follows a 42-41 loss against Georgia in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Peach Bowl last December.
Ohio State Buckeyes coach Ryan Day on the sidelines at AT&T Stadium.
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK
The Buckeyes last dropped back-to-back bowl games in the 2012 Gator Bowl and the 2014 Orange Bowl. Ohio State was banned from competing in the postseason during the 2012 season after the resignation of Jim Tressel following multiple violations imposed on the program after an NCAA ruling.
Ohio State's Cotton Bowl showcase marked the fewest points OSU had scored in a game since its 31-0 loss to Clemson in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl. It also marked the fewest points scored in any game under Ryan Day's tenure.
Quarterback Devin Brown was sidelined for most of the night after suffering a high ankle sprain in the first quarter. Freshman Lincoln Kienholz took over in the second quarter and led the offense for the remainder of the evening, going 6 of 17 for 86 yards and a fumble.
Defensively, the Buckeyes swarmed Mizzou's Brady Cook early, forcing eight punts and four three-and-out drives. Consensus All-America running back Cody Schrader found a spark in the second half and bulldozed his way into the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown at the start of the fourth quarter.
Schrader, who finished second behind Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon for the Doak Walker Award, totaled 128 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries. Cook, who finished 11 of 18 for 128 yards, connected with Luther Burden III for a 7-yard score on the ensuing drive, extending Mizzou's lead to 11.
In the Buckeyes' history, the program has only suffered three streaks of three bowl losses or longer. OSU has scored seven points or fewer in a bowl four times since 2001.
Day, who's entering a pivotal offseason, now moves to 2-4 in bowl games over his six seasons with the program. While the Buckeyes have been to three College Football Playoff appearances and won two conference titles, they've also only been to one national championship appearance under with watch.
Ohio State is still looking for its first title since 2014, back when it defeated Oregon in the first installment of the College Football Playoff in Arlington.
The Buckeyes now return home with questions surrounding the program.
