Today, sophomore kicker Andrew Baggett hit from 43, 19, 39, 33 and 28 yards.
Relying on his boot, No. 14 Missouri (7-0, 3-0 SEC) stormed past No. 22 Florida (4-3, 3-2 SEC), 36-17. With the win, Missouri takes a two-game lead in the Southeastern Conference East division.
Baggett launched 5 field goals through the mustard uprights, tying a school record set in 1992 against Kansas. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound walk-on didn’t miss a single try.
“Those field goals were so important because it slowly took (Florida) out of the game,” coach Gary Pinkel said. “It went from a one-score game, to a two-score game. Then, it just kept going on and on.”
Around Baggett, the offense stacked up 500 yards against Florida, who, coming into Saturday, allowed the fourth-fewest points per game in the nation. Redshirt freshman quarterback Maty Mauk, making his first start for Missouri, went 18-for-36 with 295 yards, throwing for one touchdown and an interception.
His offensive effort was the biggest against Florida all season. The Gators hadn’t allowed more than 21 points in a single game. Mauk, the second-stringer, was playing for senior James Franklin, [who separated his shoulder last week against Georgia.](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2013/10/14/james-franklin-stays-positive-wake-injury/)
“That’s the toughest (position) I’ve ever put in a starting quarterback when I’ve coached,” Pinkel said. “I’ve never had a quarterback thrown into that kind of environment against, not a good defensive football team, but a great defensive football team.”
Mauk said that he gave the offensive line the credit for his performance. In his first play, Mauk, given plenty of time, went 41 yards deep to senior receiver L’Damian Washington.
“Maty football,” Washington said afterwards.
Mauk also took advantage of his offensive arsenal on the ground. Junior running back Henry Josey ran for 136 yards on 18 carries, scoring a touchdown in the third quarter.
Mauk himself ran the ball for a 17-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, demonstrating his flexibility in the air and on the ground.
On the flip side, Missouri’s defense stood up a weakened Florida offense. Quarterback Tyler Murphy went 15-for-29, throwing for 92 yards total and an interception.
Murphy was sacked 6 times, including 3 times by 6-foot-2-inch, 255-pound defensive lineman Michael Sam, a two-time conference player of the week.
“Sam had a remarkable day,” Pinkel said. “I mean, he’s hard as you can play on every play.”
Florida was stuffed for a mere 151 yards total yards, scoring its first offensive touchdown with 46 seconds left in the third quarter.
**INJURY UPDATE:** Junior Marcus Murphy was diagnosed with a “slight concussion,” Pinkel said. He did not play in the second half.
