No. 25 Mizzou walked into halftime with a 20-10 lead over No. 8 Florida, and the Tigers earned it by controlling both sides of the ball while the Gators’ offense stalled in Columbia, Missouri.
Florida came in averaging 40-plus points in each of its first four games, but that production hasn’t traveled well so far. Mizzou has bottled up Jadan Baugh, the Florida running back who arrived with Heisman Trophy buzz, limiting him to 12 yards on nine carries. As a team, the Gators have just 43 rushing yards on 14 attempts.
Through the air, Florida quarterback Aaron Philo has had a mixed night. He’s 14 of 20 for 126 yards and one touchdown, but the Gators haven’t been able to string enough together to keep pace.
Florida opened with a 15-play, 73-yard drive that ended in a field goal after failing to convert from the 2-yard line, and the rest of the first half never quite found the same rhythm. Jon Sumrall’s team has one touchdown drive, along with three punts and a turnover on downs.
Mizzou, meanwhile, has found answers everywhere. Austin Simmons, the Florida native who was once committed to the Gators before ending up at Ole Miss and then transferring to Mizzou, has been sharp against his old school. He’s 16 of 21 for 238 yards and both Missouri touchdowns.
The Tigers have outgained Florida 270 to 169 and own a 15-9 edge in first downs. Eli Drinkwitz’s group has scored on four of its six possessions and now has a chance to build on the advantage coming out of the break, with the second-half kickoff set to go to Mizzou.
Florida at Mizzou is on ABC.
In Other News...
Greg McElroy Just Added To Floridas Misery After Mizzou Rout
Missouris 45-?? rout of Florida only deepened an already rough stretch for the Gators, and the Tigers left little doubt about where they belong in the national conversation. Missouri improved to 4-1 and was rewarded in the AP Poll, climbing from No. 25 to No. 14 after piling up 560 total yards and smothering Florida on the ground, where the Gators managed just 42 rushing yards.
The damage kept building as the game wore on, with Missouri outscoring Florida 25-7 in the second half. Austin Simmons carved up the Gators for nearly 240 passing yards in the first half, and Jamal Roberts punished them on the ground with 211 rushing yards and three touchdowns, the kind of performance that leaves Florida searching for answers long after the final whistle. [Read more 🡒]
Florida Snap Count Shifts Raise Tough Questions After Missouri Loss
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Tramell Jones brief late appearance at quarterback added another wrinkle to a night full of questions about usage and rotation. For a team still trying to settle on dependable pieces, those snap-count shifts matter because they can hint at where the coaching staff is leaning next, and where it still isnt sure who fits best when the games get tight. [Read more 🡒]
Florida Just Got Another Harsh Reminder Of How Bad This Is
Floridas rough start got another jolt after Week 5, when ESPN refreshed its FPI rankings and the Gators slid five spots following Missouris 45-17 win in Columbia. The loss only deepened the sense that Florida is still searching for traction, while other contenders around the country kept stacking convincing results and moving up the board.
Ohio State took over the top spot in the updated rankings after a 31-14 win over Iowa, and Jeremiah Smiths record-setting night only underscored how sharply the hierarchy can shift. For Florida, the latest drop serves as another blunt reminder that the margin for error is already thin, and the climb back will not get any easier. [Read more 🡒]