Missouri Tigers fall at Florida Gators in SEC showdown. Here are five Mizzou takeaways
Missouri gave itself a final chance to defeat Florida, but Brady Cook’s fourth down pass from the Gators’ 48-yard line sailed over the outstretched arms of receiver Tauskie Dove.
Florida came away with a 24-17 victory. Here are five takeaways from the game from a Mizzou perspective:
Mizzou defense finally sags
Through the first half, Missouri’s trend of excellent defense continued. The game was 10-10 because of a Florida pick-six and a long punt return that set up a field goal.
The Tigers’ defense held the Gators to 65 total yards and about nine minutes of possession. But the dam burst in the second half. Mizzou surrendered four runs of at least 30 yards and couldn’t contain quarterback Anthony Richardson.
Florida gained 212 rushing yards in the second half. Missouri’s defense had held its own in its previous two games, at Auburn and against Georgia. Not in the second half on Saturday.
Florida cornerback was King of the Hill
Jaylon HIll made his first start of the season last week against Eastern Washington. His second start was the best game of his three-year career, with two game-changing interceptions.
The first was a 50-yard pick-six. Mizzou quarterback Brady Cook looked to Luther Burden on a quick hit, but Burden appeared to get jostled by a linebacker. Hill was the only player who could have caught the ball and he took it to the house for Florida’s first touchdown.
Hill’s second pick came in the third quarter, ending a Missouri drive at the 9. He stepped in front of Tauskie Dove to make that interception. But both were crushing moments in Saturday’s game for the Tigers.
One last chance for Missouri
Leading 24-17, Florida was looking to seal the game late. But an Anthony Richardson pass was deflected by Jaylon Carlies and intercepted by Daylan Carnell at the Missouri 32.
Mizzou picked up a huge third-down conversion on a 20-yard strike from Cook to wide receiver Mekhi Miller, a freshman from Blue Valley North. But the Tigers didn’t convert on fourth down from midfield.
Tigers get running game going
Florida has been soft against the run at times and Missouri took advantage. Running back Nathaniel Peat rushed for 117 yards and averaged 5.9 per carry. Missouri might have been better served by staying on the ground.
Mizzou creates a big break
Mizzou’s D.J. Coleman got to Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson as he was set to throw and knocked the ball loose. Dameon Wilson bounced on the ball at the Gators 32.
That set up the Missouri field goal that tied the game at 10.