Drew Pyne was given a nearly impossible task when asked to fill in for Brady Cook against both Auburn and Alabama. He had to replace the Missouri Tigers’ starter in the middle of the quarterback game. He threw three interceptions against Alabama in Week 9.

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

Pyne was let down early in the game but his confidence never faltered. 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 confidence issues. Once you start making plays … get the first down and a little bit of a first down, something like that gets the offense going.”

At the end of the first half, it looked like Pyne’s night wasn’t going to play out much differently than his last two appearances. He had 23 total yards passing and 6 of 11 pass completions, while the running game had 65 yards — just 88 yards as a combined offense.

The Tigers’ five total yards to end the first quarter were also the program’s fewest in a quarter since 2011.

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

The outlook for Missouri’s offense looked dire.

However, neither Pyne nor head coach Eli Drinkwitz had any doubts they would turn the game around 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 in the pocket, throwing a lot of throws to Luther Burden … there was no shadow of a doubt in this building.”

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

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

Establishing the run was also key to the offense, allowing Pyne to take full responsibility moving down the field. Running back Jamal Roberts stepped up in particular, finishing with 54 yards on 13 carries.

As much as Pyne, stepping up the running game has been important to the receivers.

“The running game is always good for the receivers because it’s going to bring safeties. Then we’re going to have a different call on the outside,” Wease Jr. said. “So it’s definitely good to establish the run early like we did, and then eventually we started connecting when we needed to.”

Although, Roberts gave Missouri a scare of its own.

Following running back Nate Noel’s 15-yard run on two carries, Roberts clinched the game at 2:06. He gained three yards, but at the Missouri 40-yard line, he fumbled the football on a hit from quarterback Sammy Omoshigo. Defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. returned it 43 yards, tying the game at 23 apiece.

With the ball back in his hands, Pyne didn’t hesitate. 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, lofted the football over the Oklahoma defense into Wease Jr.’s arm for a 10-yard touchdown 1:03.

“Theo is so driven. I know anytime we go at him he’s going to do absolutely everything he can to grab it and take it as far as he can,” Pyne said. “He’s a great leader for our team. Those two guys, they’re awesome.”

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

Missouri wouldn’t have gotten a win without its “Death Row” defense getting four fumble recoveries, but regardless, Pyne and the offense stepped up and got the job done. The result and the reaction after Alabama would have been a confidence killer for most, but in the locker room, they remained ready to win.

“I can’t say how proud I am of Drew Pyne for all the crap he’s taken. I feel like I’m up here all the time, having to defend my quarterback,” Drinkwitz said. “He goes out there and delivers in the big 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 love me and I’m going to be back. We’re going to be back. . . . I’m so grateful.”

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

And the support of his team? It never went away.