US EditionIn Gator Bowl loss, Mizzou's young offense flashes promise amid pitfalls
Mizzou’s offense converted only 3 of 12 third downs and scored under 10 points for the first time in a bowl since 1969 despite Ahmad Hardy’s record-breaking rushing season.
- On Saturday, Missouri lost 13-7 in the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville after a seven-play, 74-yard opening touchdown drive was their only score.
- Attrition at receiver and staff turnover destabilized Missouri's game plan, with Brett Norfleet sidelined and multiple receivers unavailable while former offensive coordinator Kirby Moore left and Matt Zollers became the unexpected starter.
- Poor third-down execution sank multiple drives as Missouri converted 3 of 12 third downs, suffered a tipped pass interception by Emmanuel Karnley, and endured multiple three-and-outs while Virginia Cavaliers dominated possession.
- Coach Eli Drinkwitz acknowledged responsibility and lamented the result after many Missouri players removed their jerseys following the 13-7 loss, saying `Dissapointed for the seniors` and `This is going to stick with me for awhile`.
- With Chip Lindsey joining the staff and the transfer portal opening Jan. 2, Ahmad Hardy broke Mizzou's single-season rushing record at 1,649 yards despite limited second-half touches.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Still no 'rhythm': Same lackluster offense limits Mizzou in Gator Bowl loss to Virginia
“I didn’t do a good enough job calling plays tonight or getting us into a rhythm or giving us things that we could do and execute quick enough,” Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said.
Mizzou's late heroics fall short; Tigers lose to Virginia in Gator Bowl
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (KMIZ) The Mizzou football team fell short of a heroic game-winning drive in the final seconds on Saturday's TaxSlayer Gator Bowl to lose to No. 19 Virginia, 13-7. With the loss, head coach Eli Drinkwitz's team falls to 8-5 on the year for their first bowl loss since 2022. You can watch the full postgame press conference with Coach Eli and players in the video player below. Mizzou snatched a quick lead in the opening minutes, …
Rapid Reaction: Missouri loses Gator Bowl after brutal offensive showing
Missouri closed out the 2025 season with a dud on Saturday night, losing to No. 19 Virginia in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, 13-7. The Tigers scored on their opening drive of the game but fell apart on offense after that. In the second half, they produced just 109 yards of total offense and failed to score a single point. The result? A fifth loss in 8 games to close out the year. Mizzou opened the season with a 5-0 record and climbed as high as 15th…
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