The Florida Gators are back against the Missouri Tigers after a two-week hiatus due to a COVID-19 in the football program. The Gators had over 35 players test positives for COVID-19 dating back to middle October.
The last time the Florida Gators play a football game resulted in their first loss of the season to the Texas A&M Aggies. The Gators lost to the Aggies 41-38 which included a game-winning field goal as the final play of the game.
Florida Gators Return to Play Against Missouri Tigers
The Gators look to rebound with the Missouri Tigers coming to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The Missouri Tigers are 2-2 on the season and are coming off a 20-10 win over the Kentucky Wildcats. The last time Florida played against Missouri was last season and Florida won 23-6. Here is the Florida Gators vs. Missouri Tigers game preview.
Missouri Tigers
The Tigers will travel to Gainesville, Florida to take on the Florida Gators on Halloween night. The Tigers are led by their head coach, Eliah Drinkwitz, who’s in his first season as the Missouri head coach.
Redshirt-freshman quarterback Connor Bazelak leads the Tiger offense. He has completed 70.7 percent of his passes with 893 passing yards and four touchdowns.
Senior running back Larry Roundtree has also played a large role in the Missouri offense. Roundtree has rushed for 396 yards on 87 carries and has scored three touchdowns. In addition, Tyler Badie has 28 carries for 121 yards and a score. As a receiver, Badie has eight receptions for 141 yards and two touchdowns.
The lead receiver for the Tigers is junior wide receiver Jalen Knox. The Louisiana native has 19 catches for 216 yards. Further, Virginia Tech graduate transfer Damon Hazelton has also been productive on offense with 15 receptions for 151 yards.
On defense, the Missouri Tigers are coming off a great week in which they held Kentucky to ten points and under 40 plays. Junior linebacker Nick Bolton plays a large role in the Tigers defense.
Bolton leads Missouri in tackles with 43, including 32 solo tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, and a fumble recovery. Redshirt-sophomore Trajan Jeffcoat leads the Tigers in sacks with three. Defensive back Martez Manuel leads Missouri in tackles for loss with three and a half.
Florida Gators
Gators Offense
Head Coach Dan Mullen and the Florida Gators offense has been terrific in their first three games thanks to their redshirt-senior quarterback and star tight end. Kyle Trask has completed 71.8% for 996 yards, 14 touchdowns, and an interception.
While the Florida passing attack has been one of the best in the nation, the ground game leaves a lot to be desired. Junior running back Dameon Pierce leads the Gators in rushing with 130 yards on 25 carries and a touchdown.
The Gators have had a lot of production from their star tight end Kyle Pitts and senior wide receiver Kadarius Toney. Pitts has been a complete mismatch and a lot for defenses to handle in 2020. Pitts has 17 receptions for 274 yards and seven touchdowns.
Toney is in the middle of a breakout season with 18 catches for 237 yards and four touchdowns. Another senior wide receiver that’s been good for the Gators this season is Trevon Grimes. The former Ohio State transfer has eight catches for 134 yards and scored a touchdown vs. Ole Miss.
Florida Gators Defense
The Florida defense has been horrendous at the beginning of the season allowing over 33 points per game. Redshirt-junior linebacker Ventrell Miller leads the Gators in tackles. Miller has 30 tackles on the season including 20 solo tackles, three tackles for loss, and a sack.
Safety Shawn Davis has also been pretty productive in 2020. Davis has 21 tackles with a tackle for loss and forced fumble. The Gators will also be getting back one of their top returners from last season. Kyree Campbell will be making his season debut after missing the first three games of the season.
With Campbell back, Florida is hoping he can help Florida’s defensive line slow down the opponent’s rushing attack and put some pressure on the quarterback. Campbell also gets Zachary Carter and Brenton Cox in their natural positions.
Five Players to Watch: Missouri Tigers
- RB Larry Roundtree
- LB Nick Bolton
- QB Connor Bazelak
- DE Trajan Jeffcoat
- WR Jalen Knox
Five Players to Watch: Florida Gators
- QB Kyle Trask
- LB Ventrell Miller
- TE Kyle Pitts
- DE Zachary Carter
- RB Dameon Pierce
Five Predictions:
- Trask throws for over 275 yards and three touchdowns.
- Roundtree rushes for over 100 yards and a touchdown.
- Florida’s defense forces one turnover.
- Missouri’s defense holds Florida to under 100 rushing yards.
- Florida Gators beats Missouri Tigers 34-24
