In 1969, Apollo 11 launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, beginning humanity’s first successful lunar landing mission.
In 2026, the No. 8 Florida Gators entered Memorial Stadium for No. 25 Mizzou football’s 115th homecoming game. The 45-17 win for the Tigers may have launched the start of a successful season after the fan base was deflated from a 31-24 loss at Mississippi State.
It was their first win at home against an AP top-10 opponent since beating No. 1 Oklahoma 36-27 in 2010 and was the largest
margin of victory against an AP top-10 opponent since beating No. 8 USC 46-25 in 1976.
Everyone knew the main key for Mizzou in this ranked SEC matchup: stopping Jadan Baugh and the Gators’ rushing attack. Their stable ended with 25 carries for 42 yards, Baugh accounting for 13 yards on 1.1 yards per carry.
The Tigers’ defense began the game with four tackles for loss on Florida’s opening drive, coming a huge third-down stop inside the 5-yard line to force a field goal. Despite not having starting pass rushers Darris Smith and Langden Kitchen, the defense totaled 3 sacks and 11 tackles for loss, including 3.5 from Kensley Louidor-Faustin.
On the other side for Mizzou, it was much more reminiscent of the first two weeks of the season. Austin Simmons kept the offense moving by getting the ball into the hands of his dynamic receiving duo early and often, while Jamal Roberts had an unreal second half.
While the Tigers were in the midst of a 20-0 run, the rushing attack decided to get involved in a way similar to the Kansas game this season.
With a minute to go in the third quarter, Mizzou’s rushing attack had 22 carries for 48 yards. Then Roberts broke off the longest rush of his career (until moments later): a 77-yard burst down to the 2-yard line after appearing to be bottled up.
Roberts looked upset after getting caught on the 77 yard run, so he corrected it on the first play of the ensuing drive with an 80 yard touchdown run on the first play of the drive. He finished the day with 211 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries.
Simmons also showed out, completing 23 of 30 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns, the most passing yards in a game for his career. Cayden Lee and Donovan Olugbode combined for 14 catches, 204 yards and a touchdown (Olugbode). But then there was a new threat that entered the fold: Caleb Goodie Sr.
Coming into the day, the Cincinnati transfer only had one catch. Against the Gators, Goodie hauled in two catches for 67 yards and a touchdown.
His 36-yard gain on the opening drive of the second half fueled Mizzou’s offense to a 27-10 lead when Roberts capped off the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run.
The Tigers’ trend of scoring big in the middle quarters continued. After a 3-3 first quarter, which was their first points in the opening frame since Week 1, they scored 27 points across the second and third quarters.
Being able to trust Blake Craig was also a big advantage for Mizzou.
“Craig the Leg” went 3-for-4 on field goals and 3-for-3 on extra points, but what was most impressive was his ability to shake off a miss. He went wide right on a 50-yard attempt in the second quarter and bounced back with two straight makes from 50+.
The offense is legit. 562 total yards, only two penalties and went 7-for-13 on third downs. The defense also appeared to figure some things out, bottling up who many believe is the best running back in the nation and holding Florida scoreless in the second half until the final minutes.
If there’s anything to learn from this conference, it’s that you can’t get too high or too low. The next step is turning momentum into consistency. Texas A&M will come to Faurot Field next Saturday for a morning kickoff.
