Notebook: Turnovers Crush Missouri’s Hopes of First SEC Win

It has been six weeks and the Missouri Tigers have but to win both an SEC matchup or an away recreation. It appeared like that they had an opportunity in opposition to the Florida Gators, however turnovers and penalties had been finally their undoing. Mizzou tried its finest to claw again into the sport, however simply did not have sufficient gasoline offensively ultimately. 

With a bye week developing and a house recreation in opposition to Vanderbilt to comply with, Mizzou has an enormous alternative to wash issues up over the subsequent 14 days. Tigers coach Eli Drinkwitz will doubtless be centered on the offense, which was nonetheless solely in a position to rating two touchdowns regardless of 4 journeys to the pink zone. 

The Tigers are desperately in want of their first convention win and Vandy in two weeks is perhaps their finest shot at that. Here is what Missouri wants to determine between at times.

Eradicate Turnovers

Quarterback Brady Cook dinner appeared fairly good in opposition to Florida, besides when he did not. Cook dinner threw for 220 yards, finishing 22-of-30 passes and main a handful of lengthy drives. The issue is that two of these eight incompletions had been pricey interceptions. The primary resulted in a 50-yard return for a landing and the second got here contained in the Gators 10-yard line. The ultimate turnover got here by way of a failed fourth-down conversion on their final drive of the sport. 

Whenever you add a pink zone journey contained in the 5-yard line that resulted in a area aim to these turnovers, it is simple to see what number of factors the Tigers left on the sector. Actually, Missouri outgained Florida offensively, 370-297 yards  The Mizzou offense is beginning to discover a rhythm, however that does not matter a lot with out the factors to match. 

Penalties Are Drive Killers

If the Tigers did not be taught their lesson in opposition to Georgia, perhaps they did in opposition to Florida. Repeatedly, penalties stopped the Tigers’ momentum chilly. They had been penalized six instances for 55 yards, in comparison with the Gators’ one for 5 yards. 

Whereas there weren’t any fouls fairly as pricey as that false begin on the 1-yard line final week that finally price the Tigers a landing, penalties halted and backed up a number of drives. Any a type of may have led to the landing that Missouri wanted.

Time to Think about Sam Horn?

Each week, it appears the requires freshman quarterback Sam Horn get louder and louder. Cook dinner has this staff on the verge of three convention wins, however it appeared just like the Tigers had been within the recreation in spite of Cook dinner, not due to him. With the offense nonetheless unable to search out its rhythm, is it time for Drinkwitz to contemplate placing within the again up?

Placing in Horn actually holds some advantage. The freshman was a four-star prospect popping out of highschool final yr and has essentially the most arm expertise within the QB room. He could also be inexperienced, however the Tigers wants a spark and a few factors offensively. They cannot afford to go any longer attempting to carry groups to 2 scores. If there’s any indication in apply that Horn can gentle this hearth, Drinkwitz wants to tug the set off.

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