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| Mizzou running back Henry Josey scores the game-winning touchdown for the Tigers in the third overtime of their 51-48 upset victory over previously-ranked No. 12 Florida. Photo by Danny Webster - Playstation 3. |
FINAL (3 OTs) -
Missouri (4-3, 2-2) 51
No. 12 Florida (3-3, 2-3) 48
TOP PERFORMERS
Franklin (Mizz): 28-of-39, 399 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
Murphy (Fla): 23-of-29, 216 yards, 3 TD
Jones (Fla): 18 carries, 103 yards
Josey (Mizz): 27 carries, 82 yards, 2 TD
Washington (Mizz): 12 catches, 192 yards, 1 TD
Green-Beckham (Mizz): 11 catches, 163 yards, 2 TD
Dunbar (Fla): 7 catches, 52 yards, 1 TD
Burton (Fla): 4 catches, 52 yards, 1 TD
Roberson (Fla): 7 tackles, 2 INT
Watkins (Fla): 12 tackles
Gaines (Mizz): 12 tackles
Webb (Mizz): 9 tackles
RECAP
When Missouri lost to LSU earlier this year, head coach Calvin Smith looked up at the sky in disbelief.
This time, he could look up at the sky and fall on his back, doing snow angels on the sideline of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
In a game where the Tigers were once down by 18 points in the third quarter, James Franklin's 399-yard performance and L'Damian Washington's almost-200-yard performance rallied Mizzou back, and Henry Josey's 2-yard touchdown run in the third overtime capped off the unthinkable upset with Missouri defeating Florida, 51-48.
"That was the best snow angel I've ever made in 100-degree heat," Smith said. "Hell felt like paradise after that one. That was one of the best college football games I've ever been apart of."
A packed house of almost 90,000 Florida fans saw their Gators storm to an 18-point lead midway through the third quarter, and it quickly looked like the Tigers were to be dealt another humiliating conference loss. But after two first-quarter interceptions, Franklin settled into a groove behind his two favorite targets: Dorial Green-Beckham and Washington.
On 4th and goal at the 2-yard line late in the third quarter with Mizzou down 28-10, Franklin threw a fade route to DGB, and he used all of his 6-foot-5 frame to come down with the touchdown to cut the lead to 12 points after a missed 2-point conversion.
The Tigers were able to stop Florida on its next possession, and with 5:43 left, Franklin connected with Washington on a perfectly-thrown 41-yard touchdown to cut the Florida lead to 28-23.
"Those guys bail me out, week in and week out," Franklin said. "L'Damian was all over the place today catching everything I threw, and DGB is as reliable as they come. I knew if I got them the ball in the right spots, they'd deliver."
It wouldn't be long before Franklin called DGB's number again. After Florida extended the lead to eight points and Marcus Murphy returned the ensuing kickoff to the Gators' 30-yard line with less than 1:30 to go.
Two plays later, Franklin found Green-Beckham in the endzone for the second time of the second half on a 17-yard touchdown. The senior quarterback hit Washington on the 2-point conversion to tie the game at 31-31, and eventually sent it into overtime.
"Marcus hasn't been getting those lanes to make dangerous plays in the kicking game," Smith said. "He picked a great time to make something happen."
Both teams exchanged touchdowns in the first two overtimes. Tyler Murphy, who's currently the starter due to Jeff Driskel's injury, threw two touchdowns, while Franklin ran for two touchdowns to send the game to a third overtime, tied at 45-45.
The next five minutes during Florida's possession were described as the most tense moments of Smith's coaching career. With teams required to go for two in the third overtime, the Tigers needed a stop, and got it on a deflected pass by EJ Gaines in the endzone.
"That's something I never want to go through again," Smith said. "I almost puked five times during that drive."
Florida settled for the field goal, and Mizzou wasted no time marching down the field and eventually won the game with Josey's 2-yard touchdown on 2nd and goal.
Somehow, to Smith's delight, the Tigers found a way to win a road game during hell month, but they'll have to do it all again in Week 9 when they travel to take on No. 15 South Carolina. For now, Smith is happy the Tigers are sitting at 4-3 with two more wins from getting back to a bowl game.
And with the win, Mizzou is 2-2 in conference play, and have leapfrogged Florida to third in East. The Gamecocks come into this game at 3-2 in conference, and a win along with a Georgia loss to these same Gators could put Mizzou atop the East with four games to go by the end of next week.
"Never in my wildest dreams could we have imagined to be in this position," Smith said. "We control our own destiny right now in the SEC. Of course, Georgia is the only team standing in our way. But this game gave us so much confidence. We're right back in the thick of things."
RECRUITING NEWS:
The Tigers have locked up their first two recruits under head coach Calvin Smith, both JUCO players.
Outside linebacker Joseph Pitts (1-star) and offensive tackle Jerod Wiley (1-star) have committed to play for the Tigers for the 2014-15 season.
Pitts has the tools to be a successful gem for Smith's defense, which could switch to a 3-4 next year. The 6-foot-4, 239-pound linebacker from Jennings, Mo. has quality speed to chase down the ballcarrier, and was known as someone to have a good sense for how the play develops.
"He's a smart kid," Smith said. "We like his size, but especially his speed. The way he can move around like that comes naturally to him."
Wiley seems to be another gem that Smith thinks is a good project. At 6-foot-4 and 287 pounds, Wiley was one of the top-200 tackles rated in the country from Spanish Lake, Mo. He's a balanced lineman who does well in the pass and run, which is why Smith values him.
"In this conference you need to play both the run and pass," Smith said. "We're changing things up next year, and we feel he's a quality guy to bring along and groom."
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