Missouri Dominates Illinois in Arch Rivalry Game

ST. LOUIS – Blaine Gabbert looked like a seasoned veteran as he returned to his hometown for his college debut.

Missouri's sophomore quarterback made his first collegiate start Saturday afternoon in front of 64,215 at the Edward Jones Dome against Illinois in the annual Arch Rivalry game.

And, boy, did he have a memorable homecoming.

Gabbert was 25 of 33 for 319 yards and three scores as Missouri dominated on both sides of the ball in a 37-9 victory.

"I had a few jitters going out for my first play," Gabbert admitted. "But once the first hit happens, and it's out of the way, I was fine."

Gabbert even went under center a couple of times, picked up a few first downs with his legs, and finished with 39 yards on 10 carries and a rushing touchdown.

Illinois moved the ball seemingly at will through the air on its first possession before the drive stalled in Mizzou territory.

Then Gabbert took over, leading the Tigers on a 14-play, 79-yard drive to set up a 32-yard field goal with 7:23 remaining in first.

It was a hookup of St. Louis decommits as Mizzou increased its lead late in the quarter when Gabbert found Wes Kemp wide open down the right sideline for a 49-yard score. Gabbert, who had originally committed to Nebraska while a senior at Parkway West, found the former Wisconsin recruit and DeSmet graduate, who had gotten behind the Illini secondary.

"It was a good ball, and good protection by the line," Kemp said. "His first touchdown throw, and my first touchdown catch. It's crazy how things work out, but the stars aligned that way." 

A Juice Williams run and diving catch from Jarred Fayson helped Illinois move the ball deep into Tigers territory. That led to a Matt Eller 24-yard field goal after Illinois had some questionable play calling inside the 20.

Williams entered his senior year as one of the Big Ten's most highly regarded quarterbacks. But he struggled throughout the game, especially after Illinois' best receiver, Arrelious Benn went down with a sprained ankle in the first half. Illinois coach Ron Zook refused to use Benn's injury as an excuse.

"In the game of football, you're going to have adversity," Zook said. "It's how you handle it that will determine the type of success you have. We've got enough receivers that, if they're going to drop the ball, they're going to sit beside us."

On the Illini's next possession, Williams overthrew a pair of receivers before getting intercepted by Missouri's Hardy Ricks. The senior safety from Brentwood High School in St. Louis returned the pick to the Illinois 26. The turnover resulted in a 44-yard field goal from Grant Ressel.

Penalties hurt Missouri on the ensuing possession, namely a roughing the punter call that kept the Illini drive alive. Following the foul, Williams led his team down the field with a series of short passes and runs, but stumbled on a fourth-and-inches at the Missouri 20 to give the ball back to the Tigers.

Gabbert showed poise and efficiency the entire half, and moved the Tigers downfield again for a 41-yard Ressel field goal before halftime.

"I knew Blaine was good, but I didn't know he'd throw for three touchdowns for however many yards and run one in," said Kemp, who finished with four receptions for 77 yards. "I don't think there's any way you could predict that."

Poor tackling and terrible pass coverage were the main reasons for the lllini's downfall. Missouri receivers were open all over the field and, without much of a pass rush, Gabbert had time to pick the secondary apart.

"He was prepared and locked in," Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said of Gabbert. "It was just an outstanding performance. That was pretty good. I was proud of him, and how he competed."

Gabbert looked sharp while directing a nine-play, 81-yard drive that ended with a four-yard touchdown toss to Jerrell Jackson.

"When a quarterback's on, you can kind of tell in his eyes that he's locked in," Pinkel said. "You've got a great athlete and a kid who's hungry enough to get better, and wants to win. That's all I can ask for. The sky's the limit."

Illinois moved the ball into Missouri territory, but a Jeff Cumberland fumble following a 16-yard completion gave Mizzou the ball back at the 25.

Missouri took a commanding 30-3 advantage with 5:39 remaining in the third when Jared Perry used a block from Tim Barnes to turn a short bubble screen into a 46-yard touchdown.

Perry had four receptions for 93 yards while senior Danario Alexander led the team with 10 catches for 132 yards.

Illinois finally got in the end zone early in the fourth when Mikel LeShoure plunged in from a yard out to cap a 79-yard drive. The extra point was missed to put a damper on the Illini celebration.

A lot of things looked bad for the Illini, so a missed extra point is really the least of their worries as the look ahead to next week's game against FCS Illinois State. Missouri was able to move the ball at will through the air, and on the ground, and the Illinois offense without Benn was anemic.

Conversely, Missouri looked good in every phase of the game. The defense, especially redshirt freshman defensive end Aldon Smith, was spectacular. Smith had six tackles, including a sack and three stops for a loss. The Tigers held Illinois to 325 yards of total offense, forced two turnovers and had three sacks.

"Our defense really rallied to the ball and played hard," said Pinkel, adding that this is the fastest team he's ever had. "We did a lot of good things. It was just good team defense."

Pinkel said the Tigers have to avoid a letdown as they prepare for next week's home game against Bowling Green.

"I told them that the Tuesday and Wednesday practice are going to be the toughest they've ever seen," Pinkel said. "The body language wasn't too good when I said that. Our responsibility is just to keep trying to win and play at a high level."

The Tigers couldn't play a much higher level than they did Saturday.