No. 8 Florida survived a scare to beat Southeastern Conference newcomer Missouri 14-7 on Saturday.
The Gators rebounded from a turnover-filled loss to rival Georgia and kept alive hopes of winning the SEC’s Eastern Division. They need the Bulldogs to lose one of their remaining games, against Mississippi on Saturday or Auburn next week, to clinch a spot in the league title game.
The Gators (8-1, 7-1) were shut out in the first half, managing just 111 yards and failing to contain Missouri quarterback James Franklin.
Like so many other games this season, though, Florida played considerably better in the second half.
The Gators turned two short fields into touchdowns, with Omarius Hines scoring on a 36-yard jet sweep to tie the game in the third before Gillislee put Florida ahead for good in the fourth.
Josh Evans sealed the victory, intercepting Franklin’s fourth-down pass in the end zone with 5 seconds remaining.
Franklin finished with four interceptions for the Tigers (4-5, 1-5).
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.