Missouri Tigers vs Florida Gators Match Player Stats On Oct 15, 2016

The Sports Xchange
Oct 15, 2016

No. 18 Florida got its starting quarterback back, but Gators' defense remains the story in Gainesville.

Florida returned two interceptions for touchdowns and shut down the SEC's leading passing attack in a 40-14 homecoming victory over Missouri on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

The Gators didn't let Missouri gain a first down until the second quarter, and Jalen Tabor and Quincy Wilson each returned interceptions for touchdowns in a dominating first half.

Missouri finished with only 98 yards passing.

Florida quarterback Luke Del Rio returned after missing two games because of a knee injury. Del Rio completed 18 of 38 passes for 236 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions.

Florida backs Lamical Perine and Jordan Scarlett each went over 100 yards rushing. Scarlett scored on a 33-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that put Florida ahead 33-7 with 11:34 to play.

Receiver Antonio Calloway returned an onside kick attempt 44 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter for the Gators.

The win, coupled with Tennessee’s loss to Alabama, puts the Gators (5-1, 3-1 in the SEC) in first place in the SEC East and in control of their destiny in the conference.

Florida spent last week trying to reschedule its game with LSU that was postponed by Hurricane Matthew. The game has been rescheduled for Nov. 18 in Baton Rouge.

Missouri quarterback Drew Lock completed only 4 of 18 passes for 39 yards with two interceptions, before being replaced by backup Marvin Zanders.

The Tigers (2-4, 0-3) entered the game with the SEC's top passing offense, but went three-and-out on their first six offensive possessions. They were down 13-0 before they crossed midfield, and that drive ended in disaster.

Wilson jumped in front Locke's pass on an out-route, picked off the pass and raced down the sideline 78 yards for a score that put Florida up 20-0 at halftime.

The Tigers managed 92 total yards in the first half and were 0 for 8 on third down.

Missouri's Josh Augusta, a 355-pound defensive lineman, scored on a 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to cut the Gators' lead to 20-7.

NOTES: Former Florida coach Steve Spurrier served as the grand marshal for the Gators' homecoming parade. ... Florida DB Jalen Tabor's has three interception returns for touchdowns, tied for second in Gators history. ... The Gators had two interceptions returned for scores in the first half. It's the first time Florida has had two interception returns for touchdowns since 2011 against Florida. ... Aarion Penton and John Gibson had interceptions in the first half for the Tigers.