Gator Bowl Breakdown: Mizzou’s Offense Stalls After Fast Start in Tough Loss to Virginia
For a moment, it looked like Mizzou was ready to put on a show in Jacksonville.
A crisp, seven-play, 74-yard touchdown drive to open the 2025 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl had all the makings of a statement. Ahmad Hardy, the Tigers’ All-American workhorse, looked every bit the star he’s been all season, slicing through Virginia’s defense for 43 yards on the opening possession. Jamal Roberts capped it off with a score, and Missouri had the early edge.
But that was the high point. From there, the offense sputtered - and never really found its rhythm again.
Over the Tigers’ next 10 drives, they managed just 186 total yards and zero points. In a game that came down to the wire, those missed opportunities loomed large in a 13-7 loss to Virginia.
Here’s a closer look at four key takeaways from a frustrating night for Mizzou.
1. Ahmad Hardy’s Absence on Fourth Down Raises Eyebrows
When it’s fourth-and-2, game on the line, and you’ve got one of the best running backs in college football on your sideline - you expect him to be in the game. But with just under two minutes left and Missouri needing a touchdown to take the lead, Ahmad Hardy wasn’t on the field.
Instead, the Tigers dialed up a zone-read look. Quarterback Sam Zollers faked the handoff to Roberts and tried to scramble outside, but he was stopped a yard short. Meanwhile, Hardy - a Doak Walker Award finalist and the nation’s leader in rushing yards per game - stood on the sideline, helmet off, clearly frustrated.
There’s no official word yet on whether Hardy was dealing with an injury or if it was a coaching decision, but his sideline exchange with head coach Eli Drinkwitz spoke volumes. Whatever the reason, Mizzou’s best offensive weapon didn’t get a chance to make a play with the season on the line - and that’s going to stick with fans for a while.
Hardy remained on the sideline for Missouri’s final drive as well, still without his helmet.
2. Zollers Knocked Out, Walk-On QB Takes Final Snap
As if the Hardy situation wasn’t enough, Missouri’s final offensive play came without starting quarterback Sam Zollers under center.
On third-and-10 from the Virginia 21, Zollers took a hard hit and his head snapped back against the turf. He immediately grabbed his helmet and was pulled from the game, presumably under concussion protocol. That left the Tigers turning to Brett Brown - a walk-on quarterback who had attempted just one rush all season - to take the most important snap of the game.
And credit to Brown: he nearly pulled off a miracle.
On fourth down, he delivered a strike to the end zone, hitting Daniel Blood in the hands. But a Virginia defensive back made a clutch play, knocking the ball away at the last second. One kneel-down later, and Missouri’s season was over.
Drinkwitz confirmed after the game that officials made the call to remove Zollers due to the hit on the previous play.
3. Mizzou’s Offense Falters in Key Situations
The Tigers’ inability to stay on the field offensively was a theme all night long. After that opening drive, Missouri couldn’t convert when it mattered most.
They finished just 3-for-12 on third downs and 0-for-3 on fourth. That includes two critical failed conversions on their final two drives - both with the game hanging in the balance.
Zollers, before exiting late, threw for just 101 yards. No Mizzou receiver topped the 50-yard mark. The offense simply couldn’t find explosive plays or sustain momentum, and Virginia’s defense capitalized by keeping the Tigers out of the end zone for the final 55 minutes of the game.
4. Hardy Sets a Record - But It’s a Bittersweet Night
Despite the late-game controversy and a quiet second half, Ahmad Hardy still left his mark on Missouri football history.
With 89 rushing yards in the Gator Bowl, Hardy broke the program’s single-season rushing record, finishing the year with 1,645 yards. That’s a remarkable feat, especially considering the defensive attention he drew all season long. He entered the game averaging 130 yards per contest - and even in a low-scoring battle, he still found a way to etch his name into the record books.
But given how the game ended - with Hardy watching from the sideline - the moment felt more bitter than sweet.
Final Thoughts
Missouri came into this bowl game with back-to-back postseason wins and the momentum of a strong season. But in a game where points were at a premium, the Tigers couldn’t capitalize on their early lead, and key decisions down the stretch will be second-guessed for a long time.
Between Hardy’s absence in crunch time, Zollers’ untimely exit, and the offense’s inability to convert in key spots, this one will sting for Mizzou fans. It was a game Missouri had the talent to win - but Virginia made just enough plays, and the Tigers didn’t.
Now, with the season officially in the books, the focus shifts to what’s next. But first, there will be some tough questions to answer about how this one slipped away.