Lock fails to pull off a storybook ending to his Missouri career in Liberty Bowl

It was almost a storybook ending for Drew Lock’s career with the Missouri Tigers.

Faced with a fourth down at the 9-yard line, needing one yard for a first down that would keep Missouri’s hopes for a late comeback alive in the closing minute of Monday’s Liberty Bowl, Lock took the snap and rolled to his right hoping to turn the corner before the Oklahoma State defenders.

That didn’t happen, however, and Lock’s career ended with him lying on the field, forever one yard short of making the first down that let Oklahoma State emerge with a 38-33 win.

Getting the first down and potentially the win was about all that Lock didn’t accomplish on Monday as he closed out his career with another big game in his sendoff to the NFL.

Lock completed 23 of 38 passes for 373 yards and three touchdowns and nearly pulled off the comeback in the fourth quarter, which began with the Tigers trailing 35-19 after three touchdowns by the Cowboys in the third quarter.

Lock hit Johnathon Johnson for an 86-yard scoring play on the second play of the fourth quarter. A 55-yard touchdown run by Larry Rountree III on the Tigers’ next possession pulled Missouri within 35-33.

Missouri had a chance to take the lead on its next possession but a 42-yard field goal attempt by Tucker McCann was blocked.

A field goal added to Oklahoma State’s lead before the Tigers took over at their 25-yard line with 5:49 to play. Lock led the Tigers down the field, converting once on third down and once on fourth down, to reach the Cowboys 9-yard line with 1:24 remaining in the game.

A run by Rountree was stopped for no gain, setting up the fourth down play and Lock’s failed attempt to convert the first down, the final play of his Missouri career.

Rountree also had a big game, carrying the ball 27 times for 204 yards and one touchdown. Johnson led the receiving corps with 185 yards on nine receptions and the one touchdown. Lock’s other touchdown passes went to Kendall Blanton and Dominic Gicinto.

Cam Hilton had two interceptions in the fourth quarter to spur the Tigers’ comeback attempt.

It was the second consecutive season-ending bowl loss for the Tigers, who finished the season with an 8-5 record.

Photo by Justin Ford/USA Today Sports