By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
After weeks of saying that running back Tyler Badie will play in the Armed Forces Bowl, head coach Eli Drinkwitz announced in his press conference today that Mizzou's single season record holder for rushing yards will not play tomorrow.
Drinkwitz says the decision came after several long talks with his coaching staff. Badie will now begin preparing for the NFL Draft, and that starts with getting ready for the NFL combine that begins on April 28th.
Badie leaves Mizzou holding the single season rushing record, rushing this season for 1,604 yards, and finishes his Mizzou career with 2,740 yards and 23 rushing TDs. Senior Dawson Downing will start in place of Badie.
Drinkwitz also announced today that Redshirt Freshman Brady Cook will make his first career start for the Tigers, taking the place of Sophomore Connor Bazelak, who has been battling a leg injury this season. Cook has appeared some for the Tigers this season, going 19 for 24 with 107 yards and a TD, but has spent his time on the field splitting snaps with Tyler Macon.
Mizzou will be without five starters for the Armed Forces bowl, either because they are injured or opted out: running back Tyler Badie, safety Martez Manuel who is the teams leading tackler, tight end Niko Hea, defensive tackle Akiel Byers and cornerback Akayleb Evans