SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 7, 2013
Missouri 38, Toledo 23: James Franklin passed for 212 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 77 yards as the host Tigers intercepted Terrance Owens three times to hold off the upset-minded Rockets.
Henry Josey added a pair of rushing touchdowns and Marcus Murphy also had a scoring run for Missouri, which has won its first two games for the first time since 2010.
David Fluellen rushed for 111 yards on 17 carries and added 100 yards on 10 receptions for Toledo, which has lost to Southeastern Conference opponents in each of its first two games. Owens threw for one touchdown and ran for another, but his three interceptions were critical.
Missouri preserved a 17-9 halftime lead with an interception on the final play of the half, as Lucas Vincent pressured Owens into an off-balance throw that E.J. Gaines batted into the air for an interception by Matt White. Toledo's first series in the second half ended with another pick, as Markus Golden returned one 70 yards for a score, and Ian Simon's interception early in the fourth quarter helped the Tigers put the game away.
The Rockets ended their string of six quarters without a touchdown to start the season with an outburst in the third. Bernard Reedy's 58-yard kickoff return set up Owens' 4-yard scoring run, and Owens hooked up with Alonzo Russell for a 41-yard score to pull Toledo within 24-23.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Tigers have forced at least one turnover in 32 consecutive games dating to a loss at Nebraska on Oct. 30, 2010. … Toledo K Jeremiah Detmer has made 22 consecutive field-goal attempts after connecting from 24, 46 and 41 yards. … Missouri improved to 12-3 against Mid-American Conference opponents - including nine straight wins - under coach Gary Pinkel.