Interim coach Randy Shannon talked a big game all week about Florida playing with energy and enthusiasm and having fun. The coached talk the talk, but his squad couldn't walk the walk as Saturday was anything but fun for a Gators team that fell to 3-5 (3-4 SEC) in a 45-16 blowout loss at Missouri.
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* Alley: Florida-Missouri game thread
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IT WAS OVER WHEN: The game was put out of reach when the Tigers extended their lead to 35-9 at the 2:58 mark in the third quarter. Based on the effort on the field and the Gators’ struggles on both sides of the ball, however, you could say it was over when the teams took the field.
THEY STOLE THE SHOW: Missouri moved the ball with ease. MU running back Larry Rountree had three touchdowns on the ground, including a 21-yard run. In the first three quarters, Tigers wideout Emanuel Hall was targeted five times and made the Gators pay every time, recording five catches for 113 yards and a touchdown.
THE STATS DON’T LIE: Florida finished with no tackles for loss while Missouri recorded eight. Leading up to the game, much was made of Mizzou’s passing attack. It was the Tigers ability to run with ease that set up the easy victory for MU. Rountree and Ish Witter combined for 166 rushing yards on 32 carries.
WHAT A PLAY: The only play resembling a Florida highlight came when quarterback Malik Zaire avoided a sack by flicking it to running back Lamical Perine for an 18-yard gain that moved the Gators down to the Mizzou 30-yard line.
THESE MATCH-UPS PROVED KEY: Florida's freshmen cornerbacks looked lost trying to cover Missouri's veteran receivers. On one particularly poor play, it appeared that CJ Henderson quit on a 50-yard reception that set the Tigers up near the goal line.
UP NEXT: Florida travels to South Carolina in hopes of ending its four-game losing skid.
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