Putting together the sequence of Brady Cook’s day feels as complex as the comeback he achieved.

It began with a ride to the hospital in a Missouri staff member’s truck, followed by an MRI. At one point, with his equipment off, the starting quarterback for the Tigers thought his game was over.

Then came a recovery. “A lot,” Cook revealed with a smirk, went into that recovery.

There were numerous efforts at the Stephens Indoor Facility, fluctuating between putting on pads and removing them.

Game off, game back on.

Cook dashed through the south end zone tunnel as applause erupted from the crowd at Memorial Stadium.

This led to an incredible 21-17 comeback victory over Auburn on Saturday—one that will be remembered in Mizzou football history.

At the core of it all stands a quarterback inspiring hope once again.

This is the incredible tale of Brady Cook’s Saturday, which seems almost unbelievable. It’s odd, even.

Here’s our best attempt to narrate it:

Brady Cook’s Game-Winning Drive Against Auburn

Let’s begin at the climax.

At 2:11 p.m., 95 yards lay ahead of the injured Brady Cook at Faurot Field, and just 4 minutes and 26 seconds were left on the clock.

A crucial third-and-18 completion to Luther Burden III brought it down to fourth-and-5, which Cook managed to complete again to Burden. There were also third-and-10 converted to Theo Wease Jr. and a couple of risky scrambles from the quarterback, plus a hard sack. This concluded 17 dramatic plays.

At 2:30 p.m., running back Jamal Roberts took the handoff from Cook and scored a touchdown, bringing the game to 21-17.

Game won.

Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz, with tears in his eyes and hoarse from emotion, praised his quarterback shortly after. He emphasized the unwavering confidence the team has in Cook, a belief everyone should share. Little surprises him about the St. Louis native in the quarterback position.

But that?

Can you believe what just happened?

“Don’t believe it,” Drinkwitz stated. “It’s one thing to come back from the brink. It’s another to scramble for crucial first downs and make accurate throws. The number one trait of an elite quarterback is toughness, and he embodies that.”

“Toughness,” however, might not fully capture it. Cook had come back from the hospital.

A Journey in a Truck without Tinted Windows

Cook was being driven in a truck by a Missouri staff member.

He was being transported out of Memorial Stadium during the first quarter amidst not-so-glamorous circumstances.

Cook described the tackle as a classic “hip-drop” that forced him to exit the game. He managed to carry on for a few plays before his leg gave out during a step, and he could no longer bear weight on his right ankle. This culminated in an 11-yard loss as he fell.

It seemed his day was over.

Initially, sources indicated he went to the locker room for treatment, with reports suggesting he might rejoin the game. However, by halftime, updates indicated a return was looking doubtful.

In the midst of this, Cook found himself locking eyes with a fan from the un-tinted truck.

Spectators noticed him from the passenger side as he rode toward the hospital.

“We drove through tailgating areas, random spots,” Cook recounted. “I made eye contact with people, and they were like, ‘What’s happening?’”

Finally arriving at University Hospital, just across from the stadium, Cook underwent an MRI where electronic devices were not permitted. While he waited for the results, he received two critical game updates.

Both scores from the lackluster match: “3-0,” and later “3-3,” he recalled.

“I sat in silence for around 30 minutes, just staring at the ceiling,” Cook disclosed.

To him, it felt like the end. Unbeknownst to Cook, Missouri’s hopes were similarly waning.

He missed the following updates from the game: Auburn led 17 to 3.

The season was gradually slipping away, and another loss would severely hinder Missouri’s chances for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

The Comeback and the Crowd’s Roar

Cook emerged from the south end zone as if nothing had transpired in the previous two hours.

With his helmet on and ankle secured,

it’s 1:20 p.m., and life surged back into Columbia.

Cook jogged along the sideline, testing his ankle like a hungry beast. Auburn was making strides but Missouri’s defense was holding strong.

The quarterback approached the offensive starters, exchanging high-fives as he rallied the players. He was throwing passes to a graduate assistant who was barely able to catch up.

Drinkwitz inquired if Cook felt ready to play.

And you already know his reply.

But how did Cook transition from the hospital to the sideline and then to the field starting a stunning 80-yard touchdown drive?

“He shared that with the team while in the hospital,” Drinkwitz expressed, his voice quivering with emotion as tears brimmed in the corners of his eyes. He took a moment before continuing. “He realized, ‘I only have two-and-a-half games left at Faurot Field. There’s no way I’m spending that time here in the hospital.’”

It’s 1:40 p.m., and the stadium is alive with energy — a collective belief rising for the first time in a while.

Cook is ready to begin the comeback.

‘Number 12 would truly sacrifice everything for his teammates’

Cook has removed his pads and the tape from his ankle.

He has visited the hospital but hasn’t yet set foot on the field. Currently, the quarterback is in the Stephens Indoor Facility next to the stadium, attempting to make it work, but the pain remains persistent.

“I was feeling hopeful,” Cook admitted, “but I honestly didn’t think I’d return.”

They attempted various solutions with the medical staff, yet nothing was effective, just like the rest of the MU team’s efforts.

You can wish for something as much as you want, but the sheer willpower of wanting to leave the hospital because you refuse to let it end this way can only take you so far. Your ankle has to cooperate.

Cook and the Mizzou staff keep pushing. It’s a last-ditch effort.

“We ended up trying one more thing,” Cook recalled.

What was the solution? Cook is keeping that under wraps, simply stating it required “a lot.”

The tape is reapplied, and the pads are back on.

No. 12 is making his way back to the tunnel.

“Despite all the criticism he receives, 12 (Cook) would truly give everything on that field for everyone,” Drinkwitz remarked, tears flowing now. “For him to risk his body for us is remarkable, and it should inspire everyone who witnessed it today.”

Missouri football is making a comeback

Missouri boasts a record of 6-1, with 2-1 in SEC play.

How is Cook feeling now? He handed the ball off to Jamal Roberts and, while celebrating with his backup Drew Pyne on the sidelines, admitted that the pain returned quickly. He walked with a noticeable limp when he met the media to recount his near-superhuman performance.

“I knew we had to find a way to win this game,” Cook noted. “If we lost, the rest of our season would look very different. I understand that, and I knew we needed to secure the victory.”

Mizzou is set to face Alabama next Saturday in a game that will determine if they are contenders or pretenders. Bryant-Denny Stadium. The formidable Crimson Tide.

A win could open up all possibilities.

Has Missouri made you believe it’s achievable?

The player who, against all odds, made it happen? He’s a believer.

“This victory is going to propel us forward,” Cook shared. “I believe this is a defining moment for our team. We haven’t experienced something like this yet, where we unite, fight, and win an SEC football game when it matters. We stepped up and made plays to achieve it.

“I think our team really needed this. It will take us a long way.”