For the first time since the SEC expanded its schedule to eight games in 1992, the Gators will finish a season with only two conference wins.
They fell to Missouri (6-5, 3-4 SEC), 24-23, in overtime on Saturday in Columbia in their SEC finale.
Here is our instant recap.
How the game was lost
On the Gators’ overtime possession, receiver Trent Whittemore took a pitch from Dameon Pierce on an apparent reverse.
Instead, he threw the ball to a wide-open Emory Jones for a 5-yard touchdown.
Two plays later, Missouri’s Tyler Badie ran around the left side for a 13-yard touchdown.
They elected to go for two points and the win, and Connor Bazelak completed the pass to Daniel Parker to end the game.
Player of the Game
Connor Bazelak
Missouri’s quarterback didn’t do anything spectacular, but he made the throws that he needed to make for his team to win.
He finished the game 15-for-26 for 165 yards and a touchdown. Perhaps most significantly, he didn’t throw an interception after entering the day tied for second in the conference with 10 interceptions.
Play of the Game
On Missouri’s final drive of the first half, Missouri receiver Tauskie Dove was matched up with Florida safety Rashad Torrence on a deep post route.
Connor Bazelak underthrew it by several yards, which actually worked in the Tigers’ favor. Dove boxed out Torrence and made a leaping catch for 50 yards.
Harrison Bevis made a 31-yard field goal to end the drive and give Missouri a 9-6 lead at halftime.
Stat of the Game
93/2.4
That’s how many yards Florida rushed for and their average gain per carry.
Missouri entered the day ranked dead last in the SEC in both rushing defense and yards per carry by wide margins.
The Gators have been one of the best rushing teams in the country this season, at least statistically.
But the Gators continued their recent trend of not being able to generate a consistent push up front this week.
The offense became overly reliant on the passing game, and they weren’t able to get it done.
Up next
The Gators (5-6, 2-6) will wrap up the regular season at home next Saturday against Florida State (5-6, 4-4 ACC).
UF has won the last two meetings in the series, but the two teams didn’t play last year due to the SEC deciding to play a conference-only schedule.