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| Mizzou quarterback James Franklin throws his fifth interception of the game in the fourth quarter of the Tigers' loss in the Gator Bowl. Photo by Danny Webster - Playstation 3. |
FINAL
No. 9 Michigan State (10-3) 31
No. 25 Missouri (7-6) 21
TOP PERFORMERS
Franklin (Mizz): 21-of-29, 351 yards, 3 TD, 5 INT
Maxwell (MSU): 16-of-22, 238 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Langford (MSU): 24 carries, 131 yards, 1 TD
Josey (Mizz): 13 carries, 70 yards
Green-Beckham (Mizz): 12 catches, 244 yards, 3 TD
Fowler (MSU): 4 catches, 70 yards, 1 TD
Drummond (MSU): 6 tackles, 2 INT
Webb (Mizz): 7 tackles, 1 FF
Gaines (Mizz): 4 tackles, 1 INT
RECAP
James Franklin went out swinging. He just struck out two times more than need be.
The senior quarterback threw five interceptions in his final game as Missouri quarterback with Missouri losing 31-21 to Michigan State in the Gator Bowl. And usually for someone who is always willing to talk to the media after the game, Franklin was at a loss for words, towel over his head and everything.
"I did terrible," he said. "That's all I can say."
Every question was answered that same way, with that same answer. Franklin threw for over 300 yards for the first time in over a month, but he hurt his team the most by throwing three interceptions in the first half. The Spartans took a 21-7 lead into halftime, in a game that Mizzou had control of from the opening snap.
Franklin hit Dorial Green-Beckham for the first touchdown of the day halfway through the first quarter to give Mizzou a 7-0 lead. Michigan State answered right back when Andrew Maxwell took the option to the left side and ran in for a 16-yard touchdown to tie the game.
After that, Franklin came unraveled.
The nation's leading passer was throwing passes that he knew he shouldn't have tried to make. On back-to-back Missouri plays in the second quarter, he threw two interceptions, both to Spartans defensive back Kurtis Drummond.
"I didn't see the field the way I thought I did," he said.
It wasn't until the fourth quarter before Michigan State finally took advantage of Missouri's shocking six-turnover day. Franklin with his five picks, and Green-Beckham fumbling just as he was about to cross the goal line for a touchdown to cut into the 21-14 Spartans lead.
Despite that fumble, DGB broke the single-season school record with 16 touchdown receptions, and also set the single-game record of 244 receiving yards in the losing effort.
This year's Biletnikoff Award winner will have a tough decision to make at the end of this season on whether he feels he should go pro now, or wait one more year. Head coach Calvin Smith has tried to preach Green-Beckham the idea of dominating in a new offense next year.
"Whatever he decides to do, he will be successful," Smith said. "After today, I wish he could stay at Mizzou for life. But he can go be dominant now in the NFL if that's what he wants. We'll talk about that in a few weeks."
There's a lot of uncertainty heading into next year for the Tigers. But they far exceeded expectations this year by winning three games against teams ranked in the top-15 and finished the regular season ranked in the top-25.
Changes are also brewing in terms of coaching philosophy for Smith. He's stated multiple times that he'll be switching to a pro-style offense and a 3-4 defense next year. What that means for the new batch of recruits remains to be seen, but him deciding to keep the same philosophy for one more year paid off.
The next task is to actually implement what he really wants to do next year, and hope it pans out better than a 7-6 season.
"I'm already thinking big next year," Smith said. "We did a lot of great things this year. But people are moving on. It'll be a new Missouri team next year, a lot younger. It's a challenge. We'll be ready."
NOTABLE BOWL GAMES (Rankings based off final polls)
MAACO Bowl Las Vegas
Colorado 24, Utah State 3
Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl
USC 19, No. 24 Louisville 14
Chick-fil-A Bowl
No. 16 Georgia 26, North Carolina 21
Outback Bowl
No. 13 Texas A&M 29, No. 20 Wisconsin
Rose Bowl
No. 2 Virginia Tech 28, Arizona 11
Fiesta Bowl
No. 3 Nebraska 37, No. 9 Notre Dame 17
Sugar Bowl
No. 14 South Carolina 49, No. 12 Boise State 13
Orange Bowl
No. 5 TCU 45, Maryland 24
National Championship
No. 1 Ohio State 44, No. 4 Kansas State 10
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