GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida forced key turnovers and the run game came alive en route to a 24-17 victory against Missouri on Saturday.
Cornerback Jaydon Hill intercepted two passes, returning one 49 yards for a touchdown to give Florida a 10-0 lead. Florida tailbacks Montrell Johnson Jr. and Trevor Etienne led a second-half charge on the ground. After managing just 19 first-half rushing yards on 10 carries, the Gators finished with 231 yards on the ground. Florida’s win snapped a six-game SEC losing streak.
Standouts
Florida
— Jaydon Hill: The redshirt junior cornerback intercepted two Brady Cook passes.
— Montrell Johnson Jr.: The Louisiana transfer rushed for 86 yards, highlighted by runs of 41 and 36.
— Ventrell Miller: The sixth-year linebacker recorded 11 tackles, 10 solo and two for loss. Miller recorded a quarterback hurry on Missouri’s final play on fourth-and-2.
Missouri
— Nathaniel Peat: The Tigers tailback finished with 117 rushing yards and a touchdown.
— Ty’Ron Hooper: The Florida transfer linebacker recorded five tackles against his former team.
— Brady Cook: Missouri’s quarterback was game, finishing 22 of 30 for 220 yards and two scores despite being sacked four times.
Noteworthy
— Gators’ receiver Xzavier Henderson recorded a 48-yard return. Florida entered averaging SEC-low 4.8 yards on punt returns.
— The Gators have four pick-6s against Mizzou since 2015, including Hill’s. Jalen Tabor had one in 2015 and 2016, while Quincy Wilson also returned an interception for a touchdown.
— Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson has a turnover in five straight games.
— In control of the game leading 24-10, the Gators allowed Missouri to convert on third-and-22 and third-and-15 to set up an 18-yard touchdown run by Peat.
— Etienne rushed for 83 yards on just 10 carries.
