Missouri quarterback Kelly Bryant will be back on the field when the No. 11 Florida Gators travel to Columbia, Missouri on Saturday.
Head coach Barry Odom said Bryant, who missed Missouri’s loss to Georgia last week with a hamstring injury, is expected to play this week.
“He’s as close to 100-percent as I’ve seen in a few weeks,” Odom said on the SEC Coaches teleconference Wednesday. “I anticipate him playing and playing well”
The Missouri offense was completely stagnant on the road last week without Bryant. The Tigers mustered up just 198 yards of offense and only 50 rushing yards. A dual-threat quarterback, Bryant has already amassed 205 rushing yards and a touchdown this season to go along with 1,845 passing yards and 14 touchdowns.
Earlier this week both Florida head coach Dan Mullen and Todd Grantham said they expected Bryant to be able to play and they have been preparing for Missouri’s starter.
I think when he is in there you have a guy that can extend plays. He brings athletic ability to the quarterback position. I’m sure he has some leadership qualities about him that allows that guys around him to play, so we are aware of that,” Grantham said. “We still run the same plays regardless of who plays the quarterback position. I think that the biggest thing with him is that you are looking at a physical guy that has a physical stature to him at that position, that can extend plays, and you can get some positive yards out of him.”
This will be Missouri’s first home game since October 12. The Tigers are a perfect 5-0 at home and score more than 40 points a game on their home turf.