WATCH: Missouri takes fourth-quarter lead with Niko Hea 41-yard touchdown
In an all too familiar lede for Florida fans, the Gators are on upset watch this week, as the Missouri Tigers scored a go-ahead touchdown with under 12 minutes to go.
Missouri’s offense took four full quarters to get the wheels turning against the Gators; while Florida’s offense was hardly more impressive to start the game, Missouri managed just nine first-half points, all via field goals, and was unable to score for the entire third quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, Florida punted to Missouri, and the Tigers’ offense, led by Connor Bazelak, took over at its own 15-yard line. Star running back Tyler Badie had been quiet all day prior to the drive, during which he ripped off consecutive long runs to move the Tigers to the 49-yard line. First, Badie took it for 17 yards, then 19 yards, and after a short-gain via pass, Bazelak and the Missouri offense was at Florida’s 41-yard line. Then, Bazelak dropped back in the pocket and found a wide-open Niko Hea past Florida’s defense, and he took it 41 yards to the house.
The pass-and-run was Missouri’s first touchdown of the day, as Bazelak finally broke the seal on Missouri’s offense. The Tigers moved 85 yards in that drive, needing just seven plays to punch it in for six against Florida.
With the touchdown, Missouri scored the go-ahead touchdown and lead Florida 16-13. Dan Mullen and the Gators were left with 11:53 to operate, but Missouri is in the driver’s seat, despite entering as strong underdogs.
At the time of publication, Missouri’s offense has managed just 239 yards of total offense, compared to Florida’s 342 yards. Both teams have been abysmal at third-down conversions; Florida has obtained the first down on four of 15 attempts, while Missouri has done so on just two of 12 attempts.
Bazelak currently has 14 completions in 22 attempts, good for 160 passing yards and a touchdown. Badie, the star running back who didn’t truly look like himself until the fourth quarter, has 17 carries for 103 rushing yards.