Grades from Missouri football’s win over Florida and looking ahead to Arkansas
.JPG "Missouri defensive back Martez Manuel celebrates a broken up pass during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Florida Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)")
The Missouri Tigers clinched a bowl game with a 24-23 overtime victory over the Florida Gators on Saturday.
Here are our grades for all three Mizzou units, the best highlight of the game and a look ahead to next weekend’s contest against South Carolina.
PLAY OF THE GAME
The play of the game was undoubtedly the two-point conversion to win it in overtime. Mizzou elected to go for two after running back Tyler Badie scored a 13-yard rushing touchdown. Quarterback Connor Bazelak had to go to his third read and was hit as he threw the ball, but he managed to find tight end Daniel Parker Jr. in the end zone. The conversion put the Tigers up 24-23 to instantly win the game and earn the Tigers a bowl game berth.
GRADES
Offense: C-. The offense was able to come up with a touchdown when it mattered most in overtime, but for the most part, the unit was sluggish throughout Saturday’s game. Mizzou only had one touchdown in regulation, 286 total yards of offense and converted just three of its 15 chances on third down. Though there weren’t any turnovers, the unit repeatedly failed to execute in key scoring positions and wasted a lot of opportunities. Though Badie was slow to get things going, he did manage to finish with 165 yards on 27 carries.
Defense: B+. If you compared Mizzou’s defense a few weeks ago to the one you’re seeing now, you would think you were looking at two completely different teams. The Tigers barely had any missed tackles, came up with stops in key moments and held their opponent to 23 points in overtime for their fewest points allowed all season. The Gators entered the game averaging a FBS-high 5.97 yards per rush, but Mizzou held them to just 2.4 yards per carry and 93 net rushing yards. Florida also only converted 5-of-18 third down conversion attempts.
Special teams: B. Most of the Tigers’ scoring output came from the special teams unit. Kicker Harrison Mevis had three field goals on the afternoon, coming from distances of 39, 46 and 31 yards. He did miss a key kick that could have put things away in regulation though, missing left on a 46 yard try. Outside of one muffed punt that started a Gators’ drive on the 50-yard line, the punting unit had a solid day. Running back Elijah Young had a 34-yard return as well.
LOOKING AHEAD
Missouri is on the road for its last date of the regular season, set to face Arkansas at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Friday, Nov. 26. The game will kick-off at 2:30 p.m. Central time and air on CBS.
