JAKE KREINBERG
Associated Press
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — For the second consecutive game, Missouri’s offense sputtered early. This time, there wouldn’t be a comeback.
Maty Mauk completed nine of 21 passes for 97 yards and accounted for five turnovers as the 23rd-ranked Tigers were blanked 34-0 by No. 13 Georgia on Saturday.
Missouri (4-2, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) gained just 147 total yards on 43 plays, and was held scoreless for the first time since 2002.
The sophomore quarterback led two fourth-quarter touchdown drives on Sept. 27 to erase a 13-point deficit at South Carolina, but followed it up with, according to him, the worst game of his career.
“And I don’t plan on doing it again, either.”
Missouri finished 0-for-7 on third-down conversions and failed to reach Georgia’s 20-yard line, helping the Bulldogs overcome the loss of Todd Gurley.
Gurley was suspended indefinitely Thursday while the school investigates an alleged violation of NCAA rules. It was a stunning blow for Gurley, who had been making a strong case for Heisman contention. The reason for the investigation hasn’t been disclosed, but SI.com reported that Gurley allegedly received $400 to sign 80 pieces of memorabilia on the Georgia campus.
Georgia (5-1, 3-1) looked undaunted by his absence — even as fans held up “Free Gurley” signs from the stands.
“We need to show everybody and show ourselves that there’s 10 other guys on offense that are making this thing go,” quarterback Hutson Mason said. “It was a very big inspirational win.”
After two first-quarter field goals by Marshall Morgan, Mason faked a handoff to freshman Nick Chubb before running 11 yards into the end zone with 10:57 remaining in the opening half. The fifth-year senior skipped out of the end zone punching the air, jubilant after entering the game averaging 137.4 passing yards.
Mason found Michael Bennett streaking toward the corner of the end zone for a touchdown five minutes later as Missouri’s first sellout crowd of the season – an attendance of 71,168 – started voicing its displeasure.
Mason backed up Aaron Murray last year. Without Gurley, he’ll be counted on to help lead the team moving forward. He said he’s adopted a new mindset to try and not put too much pressure on himself.
“Not try to get everything right,” he said. “Just playing off instincts and reacting. That’s what got me here and I think that’s what allows me to play at my highest level.”
Mason finished with 156 yards and one touchdown on 22-of-28 passing. Chubb rushed 38 times for 143 yards and one touchdown in place of Gurley, helping to wear down Missouri. Georgia possessed the ball for more than 42 minutes and gained 379 total yards on 87 plays.
The Tigers appeared to get something going with three minutes left in the second quarter on offense as they reached Georgia territory for the first time, but linebacker Leonard Floyd hit Mauk’s arm as he was about to throw, forcing Missouri’s first lost fumble of the season.
Down 20-0 entering the break, Missouri showed little improvement in the second half, as Mauk threw interceptions to end his team’s first two drives out of the locker room. Georgia’s Brendan Douglas then ran 15 yards for a touchdown with less than a minute remaining in the third quarter for a 27-point advantage.
Chubb then punched in the final score with a 9-yard run with 7:46 remaining as cheers of “U-G-A” filled an emptying Memorial Stadium.
“We’ve got to get it together, man,” defensive end Markus Golden said. “It’s one game. You’ve got to move on. That’s the good thing about football. You get to move on. You get to play again.”
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
