Marcus Murphy scored three touchdowns, including two on special teams, and Missouri bounced back for a 42-13 blowout win at Florida Saturday night. The defense also forced the Gators into six turnovers.
Murphy started the game with a 96 yard kickoff return for touchdown and then opened the third quarter, after Florida had to punt, by returning it 82 yards for his third score of the game. Murphy also added a five yard run late in the first quarter.
That came on a four play drive, covering just 19 yards after Kentrell Brothers stripped Florida quarterback Treon Harris of the ball on a sack. It was recovered by Michael Scherer.
The defense returned a fumble and interception for a touchdown, as special teams and defense accounted for 28 of the Tigers’ points. Another interception gave the offense the ball inside the red zone and they had to settle for a field goal from Andrew Baggett.
Maty Mauk was just 6 of 18 for 20 yards.
The Tigers bounced back from their disaster against Georgia, but there are still issues with this offense that need to be addressed.
Missouri’s best drive came at the end of the first quarter and into the second when they manufactured an 18-play, 55 yard drive, but had to settle for a Baggett field goal.
The Gators loss may lead to the firing of Will Muschamp. “Fire Muschamp” chants could be heard from the homecoming crowd in the second half.
The Tigers went from 1st to 4th to 2nd in the SEC East standings in their first three conference games. The division is wide open, but Georgia at 4-1, has a tough game with Auburn coming up with games against Florida and Kentucky also on their schedule. No doubt at this point the Bulldogs control the division.
In order for the Tigers to win the East, they must run the table and have Georgia at least lose to Auburn. Or, if Missouri loses just one more game, Georgia would have to lose two of their final three SEC games, which at this point seems unlikely.