Tigers belt Gators behind TD returns

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Missouri ended up on the right side of a turnover-fest this week.

Marcus Murphy scored three touchdowns, including two on special teams, and the Tigers embarrassed Florida 42-13 Saturday night.

Missouri (5-2, 2-1 SEC) scored on a kickoff, punt, fumble and interception returns. The offense managed seven first downs and 119 yards, including 20 passing, but won by essentially letting the Gators self-destruct.

The Gators ( 3- 3, 2- 3) turned the ball over six times and lost at home for the second time in eight days, fueling speculation that Will Muschamp has coached his final game in Gainesville. “Fire Muschamp” chants broke out in the third quarter and could be heard throughout an emptying Florida Field.

“I’m really worried about this football team right now,” Muschamp said when asked about his job security. “That’s really what I’m worried about. I’m not getting concerned about things I don’t have any control over, other than this team.

“I think that’s the most important thing right now.”

Mizzou turned it over five times in a 34-0 home loss to Georgia last week. The Tigers spent the week regrouping and then rebounded in a big way, remaining in the hunt in the muddled SEC East and extending their road winning streak to eight.

“I’m very, very proud of the way this group bounced back in a place that’s very, very difficult to play,” Missouri Coach Gary Pinkel said.

The Swamp hasn’t been all that daunting recently. The Gators have dropped 12 of their last 19 games and trail the division- leading Bulldogs by two games with three remaining.

Athletic Director Jeremy Foley said in September that he wouldn’t make any decisions about Muschamp’s future until after the season was over. But he also has said repeatedly over the years that if something must be done eventually, it must be done immediately.

The Gators could be 0-5 in conference play. They eked by Kentucky in triple overtime and edged Tennessee 10-9 two weeks ago. Their latest setback was their worst home loss since falling 37-7 to rival Florida State last season.

Murphy returned the opening kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown and added a 5-yard scoring run later in the first — after one of Florida’s six turnovers. He added an 82-yard punt return for a score early in the third.

“That was the dagger,” Muschamp said.

Driskel fumbled on Florida’s first series and threw an interception in the second quarter that led to a field goal. He also had a fumble returned 21 yards for a touchdown by Markus Golden and an interception returned 46 yards for a score by Darvin Ruise — both in Missouri’s 22-point third quarter.

“That third quarter, I wish that could happen every game,” Pinkel said. “That was amazing.”

Maty Mauk was 6-of-18 passing for 20 yards, with an interception, and added 38 yards on the ground. Russell Hansbrough ran for 35 yards.

Murphy was the star of the night. He finished with 224 all-purpose yards: 101 on punts, 96 on kickoffs and 27 rushing.

“We had to start on starting fast. That was important,” Murphy said. “I wanted to do what I can. I got an open lane, the guys made a couple of blocks and I was able to take it the distance.”