Being back at home for the first time in more than a month did not help the Missouri Tigers snap their losing streak on Saturday against Florida in Columbia.
The Tigers’ defense tried but the Missouri offense was stagnant again in a 23-6 loss that extended Missouri’s losing streak to four consecutive games.
The loss also was the first at home for Missouri, which had gone 5-0 at home and 0-4 on the road before Saturday’s loss.
The Missouri defense held 11th-ranked Florida to just two field goals in the first half as the Gators took a 6-3 lead, but they finally broke through for two touchdown passes in the third quarter to pull away.
After getting shut out last week at Georgia, the Tigers were held to two field goals by Tucker McCann, one of which went in after deflecting off the goal post.
Kelly Bryant returned at quarterback for Missouri after missing last week’s game and completed 25 of 39 passes for 204 yards and an interception, averaging just five yards per completion. The Tigers gained just 52 yards on the ground, averaging less than 2 yards per attempt.
Missouri was forced to punt 10 times, after a nine-punt game last week, and was charged with six penalties. They were charged with three penalties on one play, one of which was declined.
During their four-game losing streak – all to conference opponents – the Tigers have scored a combined 27 points against Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Georgia and Florida. They were outscored by a margin of 100-27 in those games.
Missouri will play its final home game next Saturday against Tennessee.
