COLUMBIA, Mo. _ Last season, it might have been a loss for the Florida Gators.
After all, UF's past two matchups with Missouri ended in humbling defeat.
But Saturday at Missouri, Florida coach Dan Mullen's team shook off another slow start away from the Swamp and discovered some second-half momentum to snap a two-game skid against the Tigers, winners of the past two meetings by a combined score of 83-33.
The No. 11 Gators (9-2, 6-2 SEC) closed out conference play by removing the Tigers' recent stranglehold with a 23-6 win before an announced crowd of 57,280 at Faurot Field.
Quarterback Kyle Trask threw for 282 yards and two second-half touchdowns, linebacker Jon Greenard had five tackles for a loss, including two sacks, and the Gators' defense held Missouri to 256 yards despite the return of Tigers quarterback Kelly Bryant.
Losers of four straight games, Mizzou (5-6, 2-4) has scored one touchdown during the past 13 quarters.
Now the Gators wait.
UF enters its third and final bye week positioned for another 10-win season and New Year's Six bowl bid. The Gators, though, have not given up hope of reaching the SEC title game Dec. 7 in Atlanta.
No 4 Georgia (8-1, 5-1) would have to lose twice, beginning Saturday at No. 12 Auburn followed by a loss a week later at home to Texas A&M.
Against Missouri, which entered the day 5-0 at home, the Gators kept their chances alive with a second-half surge to break open a close game UF led 6-3 at halftime.
The Gators began to pull away the Tigers with a quick-strike drive early in the second half to stake a 13-3 lead.
Josh Hammond's 34-yard touchdown catch followed a nice adjustment on the football by UF's senior receiver and a perfect pass from Trask, who threw it only where Hammond could catch it.
A 13-yard, fingertip catch on second-and-12 by Van Jefferson, followed by a 15-yard personal foul penalty Missouri defensive end Tre Williams set up the game's first touchdown.
The Gators' next possession, though, nearly put Missouri back in the game. Following a false start by left tackle Stone Forsythe, one of many miscues on a long day for the Gators' offensive line, a Trask pass over the middle bounced off the hands of Tigers' linebacker Nick Bolton deep in UF territory.
The near pick-six might have Missouri's best chance to reach the end zone against the Gators. The Tigers' two other trips inside UF's 20-yard line ended in field goals.
UF iced the game two series later with an eight-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, culminating with a 15-yard touchdown catch by tailback Lamical Perine. The play showcased the UF senior's hands and body control as he just kept one foot in the end zone.
