No. 9 Missouri scored 20 points and recorded 304 yards throughout the second half in their 33-31 victory over Florida on Saturday at Faurot Field. A 31-yard field goal by Harrison Mevis lifted the Tigers over the Gators after a remarkable final drive.
Second-Half Offense
With 1:36 remaining in the game, MU began their final offensive possession with one last chance for the win. On fourth-and-17, quarterback Brady Cook completed a 27-yard pass to wide receiver Luther Burden III and got the ball into UF territory. A couple of plays later, Cook connected with WR Mehki Miller for an 11-yard reception. Cook also QB found Mookie Cooper for a 16-yard reception, which set up Mevis’ game-winning field goal with five seconds remaining.
Photo Cred: Columbia Daily Tribune
“There was confusion with what play we were going to run,” head coach Eliah Drinkwitz said. “Burden found a way to get open, and Cook found him, so we were able to execute perfectly from there.”
During the final drive, Mevis was confident that he could score the game-winning field goal. The kicker emphasized that distance didn’t matter to him.
“It didn’t matter to me if I had to kick a long or short field goal,” Mevis said. “I always believed that if the offense puts me in a position to win the game, then I will deliver.”
Missouri also scored a touchdown very early in the fourth quarter. Running back Cody Schrader rushed for a four-yard gain on first down. Senior WR Theo Wease Jr. followed with a 77-yard touchdown reception to give Mizzou a 30-21 lead with 13:14 remaining in the game. Kirby Moore’s offense was hot right when the second half started. Cook found Burden for a 38-yard reception in the beginning of their first offensive possession. Freshman tight end Brett Norfleet later recorded a reception for 15 yards to get to the Florida 10-yard line. On the next play, Schrader had a nine-yard rush up the middle.
Cook followed by punching the ball into the end zone for a one-yard touchdown to put the Tigers up 20-14. MU also put points on the board in their following drive. Burden had a 48-yard reception to get to the Gators’ 15-yard line on third-and-nine. Cook found Norfleet for a touchdown, but it got called back due to an ineligible receiver penalty on the TE. As a result of the call, Missouri ended up settling for a 24-yard field goal from Mevis a couple of plays later to regain the lead.
“He (Mevis) deserves this,” Cook said. “He works so hard, and I am so happy the ball went through the uprights.”
Notable Offensive Performances
Cook finished the contest with 334 passing yards and a touchdown. The redshirt junior also tallied 11 rushing yards with a touchdown running the ball. Schrader concluded the matchup with 148 yards and a touchdown. The senior RB’s lone touchdown was a 42-yard dash in the second quarter to put the Tigers up 10-7 with 14:29 remaining in the first half.
Burden was the leader for Mizzou receivers on Saturday, as the sophomore recorded 158 yards on nine receptions. Cooper also played a key role for MU’s WR core and finished with 29 yards on three receptions. Norfleet made an impact on Missouri’s offense as well, putting up 43 yards on three receptions.
When talking about the freshman tight end, Cook had nothing but good things to say. He talked about Norfleet’s hard work and how he’s excited for Norfleet to keep developing. “I am super impressed with him (Norfleet),” Cook said. “He works so hard, and I am so happy that he is only a freshman, so he will continue to get better.”
