No. 25 Missouri crushes No. 8 Florida 45-17 as Drinkwitz shrugs off ‘noise’ about Top 25 record

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri secured a dominant 45-17 victory over eighth-ranked Florida on Saturday, leaving coach Eli Drinkwitz unfazed by the team's recent struggles against top-ranked opponents. The Tigers showcased an impressive performance led by freshman Austin Simmons, who completed 23 of 30 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns.

Running back Jamal Roberts also shone, rushing for 211 yards and three touchdowns, including late scoring runs. The Gators, meanwhile, struggled with consistency, allowing Missouri to hold them under 200 yards and effectively shutting down their offensive lines. Missouri's defense also stepped up, making 11 tackles-for-loss and recording three sacks.

The Tigers' win marked their first over a ranked opponent since September, and the first over a ranked conference rival since November. Drinkwitz dismissed the noise surrounding their recent losses, emphasizing that each game is unique and should be evaluated on its own merits.