Two starting Missouri offensive linemen exit Gasparilla Bowl vs Wake Forest early with injuries

Two of the starting offensive linemen for the Missouri Tigers were ruled out of Friday night’s game in the second half of the Gasparilla Bowl against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Center Connor Tollison and right guard Connor Wood were both seen on the Missouri sidelines in street clothes. Both players had walking boots on their left foot. They will not return to the game, according to Lericia Harris, the sideline reporter for ESPN.

“The center #55 Connor Tollison and the right guard #66 Connor Wood, they are both in street clothes on the Missouri sideline. Both of them had boots on their left foot. They will no longer play today,” Harris said in the third quarter of the ESPN broadcast.

Missouri lost the game to Wake Forest, 27-17. Wake quarterback Sam Hartman became the ACC’s all-time career passing touchdown leader on Friday night. He also earned MVP honors for the game. He said before the game that it would be his final appearance with Wake Forest, but he hasn’t yet announced whether or not he’ll declare for the 2023 NFL Draft or hit the transfer portal.

Missouri wide receiver Mookie Cooper hauled in seven catches for 68 receiving yards. Former five-star wideout Luther Burden III hauled in six catches for 52 receiving yards for the Tigers.

The Demon Deacons outscored Missouri 13-7 in the second half. The Wake Forest defense held the Tigers’ offense in check for most of the game, racking up 10 tackles for loss and four sacks, while limiting Missouri to just 4.1 yards per play. Wake Forest wide receiver A.T. Perry hauled in 11 catches for 116 receiving yards.

With the loss in the bowl game, Missouri dropped to 6-7 overall on their 2022 campaign. To open up their 2023 season, the Tigers will face off against the South Dakota Coyotes on Saturday, Sept. 2.