No. 25 Missouri scored on its opening drive, but No. 20 Virginia answered with 13 unanswered points to earn a 13-7 win in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Saturday at EverBank Stadium.
The Tigers (8-5) took an early lead when Jamal Roberts scored on a 5-yard run after a 43-yard burst by Ahmad Hardy. Missouri wouldn’t score again.
Mizzou had a chance to win late, driving to the Virginia 21-yard line in the final minute. True freshman quarterback Matt Zollers was forced out on the final play after hitting his head on the turf, and backup Brett Brown’s end-zone pass fell incomplete as Virginia held on.
Despite the loss, consensus All-American Ahmad Hardy set Missouri’s single-season rushing record with 1,649 yards after finishing with 89 yards on the day.
Virginia controlled the game with a decisive time-of-possession edge and took the lead in the third quarter on a 19-play touchdown drive. The Cavaliers outgained Missouri 308-260.
Linebacker Nicholas Rodriguez led Missouri with 15 tackles.
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