WATCH: Missouri scores two-point conversion, defeats Florida in overtime
Even the chilly, 53-degree weather in Columbia, Missouri couldn’t cool down Dan Mullen’s seat, as the Florida Gators suffered another baffling upset — this time, on a game-winning, two-point conversion against Missouri.
An eventless first half featured just 15 total points, as Missouri led by a narrow 9-6 margin at halftime. Neither Missouri or Florida was able to get the ball rolling in the first half; the second half ever-so-slightly picked up the pace, and the Gators mustered 10 points to Missouri’s seven, sending the game to overtime tied at 16.
Florida received first in overtime, and the Gators even managed to convert — it only took quarterback Emory Jones four plays to string together 25 yards, capped off by a six-yard passing touchdown to Trent Whittemore. But Missouri had a two-play response of its own, with star running back Tyler Badie needing a 12-yard and 13-yard run to score the equalizer; however, rather than settling for the tie game, head coach Eli Drinkwitz opted to go for two.
Quarterback Connor Bazelak took the snap under center, rolled right on a play-action play, but Florida brought heavy pressure on a play that could have solidified a Gators victory. Bazelak continued to trot back in the pocket, running back to the 12-yard line before heaving an over-the-top, high-arcing pass toward the end zone, where tight end Daniel Parker Jr. was all alone. Parker reeled in the pass, finalizing Missouri’s 24-23 victory over the Florida Gators, and punching Missouri’s first trip to a bowl game since 2018.
Bazelak finished the game with 15 completions in 26 attempts, good for 165 passing yards and one touchdown. Badie, the center of Missouri’s offensive attack, had 27 carries for 146 rushing yards and one touchdown, brushing off a slow start with an emphatic finish. On the other side, Jones did everything he could under center to bring Florida within striking distance, completing 20 of 32 passes for 261 passing yards, while rushing 17 times for 45 yards, but it wasn’t enough.
The game was nearly void of offense on both sides, as neither Florida or Missouri scored more than one touchdown in regulation. Florida converted on only five of 18 third-down attempts, while Missouri did so on three of 15 attempts; Florida’s offense did manage to outpace Missouri, tallying 360 total yards to Missouri’s 286, but the Tigers called the perfect play when it mattered most, punching in the game-winning two-point conversion.
The win moved the bowl-eligible Missouri Tigers to 6-5 on the season, while Florida — once ranked as high as No. 10 in the AP poll — fell to 5-6. Next week, Florida’s struggling program will face another subpar in-state program, with the winner of Florida-Florida State going to a bowl game.
However, Mullen could very well not be there to coach Florida next week, should the Gators decide to make a move.