Ohio State's 2023 season ended with a whimper in the Cotton Bowl as the Buckeyes dropped a 14-3 decision to 9th-ranked Missouri behind an offense crippled by poor line play and and aggressive Tigers defense daring quarterbacks Devin Brown and Lincoln Kienholz to make a play downfield.
Brown, thrust into a starting role after Kyle McCord transferred shortly after the Buckeyes lost to Michigan, suffered a high ankle sprain on Ohio State's third possession and played just one more series before having to shut it down. The injury pushed Kienholz into action and, while not his fault, the true freshman was unprepared and overwhelmed by the lack of blocking, experience and a plan.