Missouri suffered a brutal loss to Kentucky. Here’s how players said they recovered

The leader of the offense and the leader of the defense sat together Saturday evening, talking about a devastating loss. One play had separated Missouri from emerging victorious against a top-15 opponent, but Kentucky had connected on a 2-yard game-winning touchdown pass with no time left.

Cale Garrett, a starting linebacker for Missouri and the team’s leading tackler, went to quarterback Drew Lock’s house after the game. The two players — both captains — watched a World Series game with offensive lineman Thomas Grossman and backup quarterback Jack Lowary. They talked through the pain of coming so close but falling just short.

When Garrett showed at Missouri’s athletic complex review film Sunday, he said he was focused on the Tigers’ next game: 3 p.m. Saturday at No. 11 Florida.

“The world is not going to stop and let you mourn, and we play this Saturday,” Garrett said. “You kind of have to get over it quick.”

Around the same time Garrett watched baseball at Lock’s house, offensive lineman Paul Adams sat in silence. Lineman Case Cook, his family and Adams ate dinner at Wingstop after the game, then went back to Cook’s house, where Adams took a seat.

“It was probably silent for about 45 minutes,” said Adams, also a team captain.

Adams usually lets himself dwell on a loss for the rest of the day. But during the painful silence Saturday night, he made a decision. Rather than waiting until morning, he would force himself to get over the defeat that evening.

With a 4-4 record, Missouri needs two wins to secure bowl eligibility. Adams said there’s a bit of urgency around the team, but the Tigers are not focusing on the bigger picture. They’re instead putting their energy into preparation for Florida.

“We’re desperate for a win,” Garrett said. “We need two for sure, but our plan is to win out obviously.”

The loss took its toll on coaches, too. Head coach Barry Odom said Saturday it was one of the most difficult losses of his career, and defensive coordinator Ryan Walters said it was painful watching film Sunday.

“It’s supposed to hurt when you pour that much effort, energy and grit into something,” Walters said.

At his weekly news conference, Lock told reporters that offensive coordinator Derek Dooley tells the Tigers that, even if they’ve lost some close games, they’re still a good football team. The quarterback said it’s important for players not to let disappointment from losses take over their mindsets. If the Tigers do, the rest of their season could go to waste.

To describe how he felt immediately after Saturday’s loss, Garrett put his hand in front of a reporters chest Tuesday and pretended to rip his heart out.

It’s pain the linebacker doesn’t want to forget. He’ll do everything in his power to never feel it again.