Two picks by same player were turning points in Missouri Tigers’ loss to Florida Gators
.JPG "Florida running back Montrell Johnson Jr., left, gets past Missouri defensive back Joseph Charleston for a touchdown on a 3-yard run Saturday in Gainesville, Fla.")
Once again, Missouri put itself in a position to win or extend an SEC game in the final minutes. You know how it ends.
The Tigers came up empty for the third straight week, this time at Florida, where they fell 24-17 in Gainesville. This one might not have been as soul-crushing as the defeats at Auburn and last week against Georgia, but MU coach Eli Drinkwitz has dropped three straight for the first time in his three seasons, all by seven points or less.
“It’s not a lack of effort,” Drinkwitz said. “It’s not a lack of fight. We’ve just got to find a way.”
The Tigers fell to 2-4 overall and 0-3 in SEC. They don’t play next weekend.
Mizzou created a final possession with an interception, but quarterback Brady Cook and the offense couldn’t get past midfield. Cook’s fourth-down pass fell incomplete, allowing the Gators to run out the clock.
The most damaging plays for Missouri were delivered by the same player. Florida cornerback Jaydon Hill, making his second start this season, came up with two interceptions. One he returned for a touchdown. The other came in the red zone to deny a scoring opportunity.
Those happened on a day when Missouri’s defense, for a half, was playing up to its typically stout standards. The Tigers surrendered a mere 65 yards in the first half.
But at 10-10, the game was closer than it should have been because of Hill’s 50-yard pick-six and a punt return for 48 yards that resulted in the Gators’ field goal.
Missouri gained nearly 200 first-half yards and held the ball for 21 minutes. The Tigers had an opportunity to open a gap before halftime. It didn’t happen.
And Florida figured things out after halftime. The Gators got the running game going, motoring for 212 second-half yards, with four plays covering more than 30. Florida finished off touchdown drives of 82 and 91 yards and pulled ahead 24-10 with 11 minutes remaining.
But Mizzou answered on a drive that included two long third-down conversions They needed 22 and got a 27-yard catch and run to Cody Schrader. On third-and-15, Cook connected with freshman Mekhi Miller for 18. An ensuing touchdown on the next play, an 18-yard run by Nathaniel Peat — who finished with 117 yards — made it a one-touchdown game.
Cook’s numbers — 22 of 30 for 220 yards — were similar to the stats he’s compiled in his other SEC games. Interceptions made the big difference. Those were killers on a day the Tigers outgained the Gators 370 yards to 297, collected more first downs (21-13) and dominated the possession time with more than 36 minutes.
On the second pick, Cook forced a pass into a small window to Tauskie Dove. Hill was in a better position to make the catch, and he did at the 5.
“I had an in-cut,” Dove said. “And (Hill) was already sitting there and beat me to it.”
Missouri got a pick of its own to give itself a final chance. Jaylon Carlies got his hand on the ball and it caromed to Daylan Carnell. The Tigers were in business at their 32 with 2:57 remaining.
Cook converted another long third down with a 20-yard toss to Miller. The Tigers reached the Gators’ 48, needing two yards for a first down. On fourth down, Cook whistled a short pass over the arms of Dove, and that was it.
Another close Missouri loss in the SEC was sealed.