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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — In the week leading up to its game at No. 15 Alabama on Saturday, No. 21 Missouri was surrounded by an odd amount of confidence.

It was odd, or maybe just unexpected, because the Tigers’ starting quarterback began the week doubtful to play because of a high ankle sprain and their backup had taken most of the first-team reps in practice. That made them two-touchdown underdogs when they entered sold-out Bryant-Denny Stadium, which does not seem like a recipe for confidence.

Yet quarterback Brady Cook had given Mizzou a dose of confidence. As his status improved — from doubtful to questionable to game-time decision to on-the-field — it seemed as if MU might have a chance.

And then Cook was hurt again, and all the confidence Missouri had built flew the coop.

The Tigers trailed 6-0 when Cook ran to the Mizzou locker room for an X-ray following an upper-body injury. They ended up losing to the Crimson Tide 34-0, the first time MU has been shut out since a 27-0 loss to Georgia in 2019.

“Offensively, with Brady’s injury, just couldn’t ever get in rhythm,� coach Eli Drinkwitz said, “and then obviously the turnovers really put us behind the eight ball and just put the defense in too many bad spots today.�

The turnovers are the story, the hallmark, the alarm bell behind the loss of confidence and the loss itself, which moves Missouri to 6-2 overall this season and 2-2 against Southeastern Conference opponents.

Mizzou was outgained 486-239 in total yardage and 215-72 in passing yards.

Backup quarterback Drew Pyne, in a moment of need, gifted ’Bama the ball on three separate occasions, throwing three interceptions. A quarter of the passes he threw Saturday went to the other team.

His first came shortly after Cook’s departure. After the starting quarterback took a hit on the sideline early in the game, he underwent imaging inside the stadium.

“They took an X-ray and didn’t feel like they were comfortable with letting him continue,� Drinkwitz said, “so we’ll see where that goes when we get back.�

He didn’t specify the nature of Cook’s injury any more than the upper body designation given by a team spokesperson at halftime. Cook’s right (passing) hand seemed to be causing him some discomfort while he was on the sideline, but it’s possible his ribs or another part of his upper body were involved.

With the game shaping up to be a rock fight between the Tide and the Tigers, Pyne threw his first pick of the day on a third down. Whether he and wide receiver Luther Burden III weren’t on the same page or Pyne just missed the throw badly, the ball ended up in Alabama’s hands — and not even the hands of the defensive back covering Burden, but another parked several yards away.

‘Bama scored its first touchdown of the day on the next drive, taking a 13-0 lead into halftime.

“Can’t throw the interception right there before half,� Drinkwitz said. “Just spiraled after that.�

Yes, downward it went. Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe’s breakaway rush and dive to the pylon led to a touchdown early in the third quarter. Then Pyne retook the field and threw another interception.

Less than two minutes of game time later, it was three picks on the day for the transfer QB. The throws were poorly targeted, but Drinkwitz saw them as well-intentioned.

“He’s trying to win the game,� the fifth-year coach said. “He’s trying to put us in a position to get back in the game, and I understand that, but we just can’t put the ball in jeopardy in those situations. Ultimately, it’s on me. I gotta do a better job coaching and stuff in those situations and not put it on him.�

Mizzou had its best chance of the afternoon to score near the end of the game, with a first and goal from Alabama’s 7-yard line. One 5-yard rush got the Tigers to the 2, then they moved to the 1. But the Crimson Tide stuffed two rushing plays from a yard out to complete the shutout, drawing celebrations from their first-year coach Kalen DeBoer.

Pyne — who briefly was taken out for the game so that JR Blood could get a series at quarterback — said he felt his teammates’ support on the sideline, even amid the string of interceptions.

Both offensive and defensive players told him that they “had my back, told me they love me,� Pyne said. “It’s a part of football. You just got to keep going.�

He transferred to Missouri in the summer after a rocky, injury-troubled start to his collegiate career at Notre Dame and Arizona State, relishing the opportunity to work with Cook and offensive coordinator Kirby Moore. Pyne clearly is the No. 2 option at quarterback this season and recruited as such, though he has eligibility beyond this year.

He struck a determined tone after his rough outing.

“At this point, I got two options as a man: curl up in a ball and whatever, or try as hard as I can and get better,� Pyne said. “I love these guys in this locker room, and I’m gonna do everything I can.�

Drinkwitz, who was held scoreless by another team for the first time in his collegiate coaching career, defended his backup quarterback who might — depending on the severity of Cook’s second injury — be called upon for some part of the final four games of the season.

“Drew came in there and competed,� Drinkwitz said. “Not disappointed in him, disappointed in myself. It’s not on Drew, it’s on me.�

No. 15 Alabama 34, No. 21 Missouri 0

Missouri 0 0 0 0 — 0

Alabama 3 10 14 7 — 34

First Quarter

´¡³¢´¡â€”FG Nicholson 47, 8:50.

Second Quarter

´¡³¢´¡â€”FG Nicholson 39, 4:38.

´¡³¢´¡â€”J.Miller 3 run (Nicholson kick), 1:54.

Third Quarter

´¡³¢´¡â€”Milroe 9 run (Nicholson kick), 12:33.

´¡³¢´¡â€”J.Miller 11 run (Nicholson kick), 4:28.

Fourth Quarter

´¡³¢´¡â€”Haynes 35 run (Nicholson kick), 11:06.

MIZZ ALA

First downs 15 22

Total Net Yards 239 486

Rushes-yards 39-167 37-271

Passing 72 215

Punt Returns 0-0 2-15

Kickoff Returns 1-5 1-12

Interceptions Ret. 0-0 3-31

Comp-Att-Int 13-24-3 16-26-0

Sacked-Yards Lost 1-8 2-11

Punts 7-44.714 5-49.2

Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0

Penalties-Yards 5-55 7-85

Time of Possession 30:13 29:47

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Missouri, Carroll 17-80, Roberts 17-71, Burden 2-15, Pyne 1-10, J.Blood 1-(minus 1), Cook 1-(minus 8). Alabama, Haynes 8-79, Young 3-63, Milroe 11-50, Miller 11-48, Law 1-21, D.Hill 2-7, Simpson 1-3.

PASSING—Missouri, Pyne 6-12-3-42, Cook 7-12-0-30. Alabama, Milroe 16-26-0-215.

RECEIVING—Missouri, Norfleet 3-23, Burden 3-3, Wease 2-19, Roberts 1-10, Manning 1-6, Carroll 1-5, Harris 1-5, M.Johnson 1-1. Alabama, Bernard 5-82, R.Williams 4-53, Dippre 2-27, Law 2-17, Henderson 1-28, Ouzts 1-6, Haynes 1-2.

MISSED FG—Missouri, Craig 49.