FINAL: FLORIDA 40, MISSOURI 14
GAINESVILL, FL- In 2014 the Missouri Tigers came to Gainesville and destroyed the Gators on homecoming. The final score was 42-13, and Missouri scored touchdowns on an interception return, a fumble return, a kickoff return, and a punt return. The game seemed to be the last straw as head coach Will Muschamp would be fired after the season.
Fast forward to 2016: Homecoming in the Swamp showed off Florida’s vaunted defense. The Gators scored two defensive touchdowns as Jalen “Teez” Tabor and Quincy Wilson both jumped plays and returned the interceptions for scores.
Florida’s offense, while piling up solid numbers, looked shaky at best. QB Luke Del Rio threw three interceptions and the offense committed eight false start penalties. Too often drives would end after entering Missouri territory.
Though the offense largely struggled, there were bright spots. Florida averaged 7.4 yards per carry over 39 rushing attempts. Lamical Perine and Jordan Scarlett rushed for more than 100 yards. Tyrie Cleveland caught three passes for 79 yards and a touchdown.
Florida’s defense was again fantastic. The Gators held Missouri to 98 yards passing. Missouri failed to convert a first down until the final minute of the first half. Missouri rushed for 265 yards, but most of that came in the final quarter, with the game out of hand.
The win for Florida, coupled with a Tennessee loss, puts the Gators in the driver’s seat for the remainder of the SEC schedule.
SEC EAST STANDINGS:
- FLORIDA 5-1 3-1
- TENNESSEE 5-2 2-2
- KENTUCKY 3-3 2-2
- GEORGIA 4-3 2-3
- VANDERBILT 3-4 1-3
- S. CAROLINA 2-4 1-4
- MISSOURI 2-4 0-3
Game Summary:
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | OT | FINAL | |
| MIZZOU | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | X | 14 |
| FLORIDA | 0 | 20 | 6 | 14 | X | 40 |
SCORING:
- 2nd Quarter (3-0 UF) Pineiro 53 yard FG
- 2nd Quarter (6-0 UF) Pineiro 24 yard FG
- 2nd Quarter (13-0 UF) Tabor 39 yard INT return
- 2nd Quarter (20-0 UF) Wilson 78 yard INT return
- 3rd Quarter (20-7 UF) Augusta 1 yard run
- 3rd Quarter (26-7 UF) Cleveland 20 yard pass from Del Rio (2-pt failed)
- 4th Quarter (33-7 UF) Scarlett 33 yard run
- 4th Quarter (33-14 UF) Witter 1 yard run
- 4th Quarter (40-14 UF) Callaway 44 yard kickoff return
PASSING LEADERS:
| MISSOURI | FLORIDA |
| Zanders 3-4 59 yards | Del Rio 18-38 236 yards, TD, 3 INT |
RUSHING LEADERS:
| MISSOURI | FLORIDA |
| Crockett 14 carries, 145 yards | Perine 11 carries, 106 yards |
| Witter 15 carries, 82 yards | Scarlett 10 carries, 101 yards |
RECEIVING LEADERS:
| MISSOURI | FLORIDA |
| Floyd 1 reception, 34 yards | Cleveland 3 receptions, 79 yards, TD |
| Reese 1 reception, 24 yards | Goolsby 3 receptions, 40 yards |
| Mason 2 receptions, 20 yards | Powell 4 receptions, 38 yards |
TEAM STATS:
| MISSOURI | FLORIDA | |
| FIRST DOWNS | 16 | 22 |
| TOTAL PLAYS | 68 | 77 |
| TOTAL YARDS | 363 | 523 |
| PASS YARDS | 98 | 236 |
| RUSHING YARDS | 265 | 287 |
| TURNOVERS | 3 | 4 |
| PENALTIES | 5-24 | 11-65 |
| TIME OF POSSESSION | 23:01 | 36:59 |
WHAT’S NEXT:
FLORIDA GATORS VS GEORGIA BULLDOGS
OCTOBER 29, 2016 at 3:30 PM
EVERBANK STADIUM, JACKSONVILLE, FL