First quarter

Key play: On third and 11 from his 16, Missouri quarterback James Franklin threw to Dorial Green-Beckham for a 12-yard gain that helped the Tigers control field position.

Key stat: Florida threw nine passes and ran 10 times. Entering the game, the Gators were running the ball at a 66-percent clip.

Second quarter

Key play: MU forced a fumble that gave the Tigers the ball at Florida’s 27 and set up their only score, a 1-yard touchdown run by Kendial Lawrence.

Key stat: The score was the first touchdown Florida allowed in four SEC home games this season.

Third quarter

Key play: Florida receiver Omarius Hines tied the score at 7-7 when he took a jet sweep handoff 36 yards for a touchdown.

Key stat: Through three quarters, MU held Florida to 68 yards passing.

Fourth quarter

Key play: Florida safety Josh Evans hauled in a game-clinching interception on fourth and 6 from the Gators’ 21.

Key stat: MU lost despite having more first downs (23) than Florida (11).

Player of the game: Evans made 12 tackles and picked off Franklin in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter.

Reason to hope: The Tigers’ defense looked awesome, playing fast and physical against a downhill offense. There’s no doubt Dave Steckel’s group played well enough to win.

Reason to mope: The offense struggled overall, generally failing to take advantage of several good scoring opportunities. This remains an issue.

Looking ahead: Missouri heads to Tennessee next Saturday to take on the Vols at Neyland Stadium. They are winless in the SEC and coming off a closer-than-it-should-have-been 55-48 home win over Troy.