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Florida Football: 3 takeaways from blowout win over Missouri in Week 9

By Connor Muldowney

Oct 31, 2020; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators running back Dameon Pierce (27) runs with the ball during a game against the Missouri Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Oct. 31, 2020. Mandatory Credit: Brad McClenny-USA TODAY NETWORK
Oct 31, 2020; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators running back Dameon Pierce (27) runs with the ball during a game against the Missouri Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Oct. 31, 2020. Mandatory Credit: Brad McClenny-USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Oct 10, 2020; College Station, Texas, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Brad Stewart Jr. (2) and linebacker Jeremiah Moon (7) strip the ball from Texas A&M Aggies running back Ainias Smith (0) during the fourth quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2020; College Station, Texas, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Brad Stewart Jr. (2) and linebacker Jeremiah Moon (7) strip the ball from Texas A&M Aggies running back Ainias Smith (0) during the fourth quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports /

2. The defense finally woke up

There’s no way around it, through three games, Florida’s defense looked like a massive letdown and one of the biggest disappointments in the SEC.

Florida had been known for its defense for years, but teams like Ole Miss, South Carolina and Texas A&M put up serious numbers. Two of those opponents scored at least 35 points against the Gatos which was uncharacteristic. Florida had put defenders in the NFL at a high clip for years, but with the departure of CJ Henderson and Co., things were looking cloudy in Gainesville.

That defense had a few weeks to work on its shortcomings, however.

The COVID-19-driven break from football may have been a blessing in disguise for the long-term (and no, I’m not talking about players contracting the virus). No, I mean that Florida had enough time to watch film and work out the kinks and fix its defense. It did just that against a Missouri team that had been a pleasant surprise offensively with Connor Bazelak leading the way.

Florida held the Tigers to just 248 total yards on Saturday night and showed that it’s not just a welcome mat for opposing offenses.

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