GAINESVILLE — Missouri 's addition to the SEC in 2012 didn't cause much of a stir 1,000 miles away in the Sunshine State.
The Tigers didn't need long to get the Gators ' attention.
Missouri handed Florida its most-lopsided SEC loss in 2013 — a 36-17 rout in Columbia — and 2014, a 41-13 beatdown on homecoming in the Swamp.
These days, a visit to the Tigers' home field is one to dread, given the Gators' 2-4 record there and losses during three of the past four visits.
"We've got to get ready to play a really good football team on the road in a place that's not gone well for us a lot," coach Jon Sumrall said .
To get his players' attention, Florida's first-year coach hasn't often relied on the past, outside of the rich history of the program he inherited.
This week, he reminded the Gators of their 2023 trip to Mizzou, where Florida lost quarterback Graham Mertz for the season and succumbed 33-31 on a last-second field goal.
The Tigers' converted on 4th-and-17 during the game-winning drive and later taunted Gators' defensive end Tyreak Sapp as he sat on the sideline in tears.
This week, Sumrall reminded his players of the moment, including some key defenders who were in Columbia that night — end Kam James, cornerback Dijon Johnson, linebacker Jaden Robinson and safety Bryce Thornton.
"There's a picture of Tyreak Sapp sitting on the ground. He had that up in the team room today," left tackle Bryce Lovett recalled. "I'm pretty sure it's all over the locker room, or it's by my locker … I kind of forgot about it until now."
Sumrall wants the Gators to remember, while turning the page on a new chapter in the series.
Buster Faulkner's attack has been explosive and high-scoring, even without its top downfield threat.
Singleton's speed is rare, while his experience in Faulkner's system in 2023-24 at Georgia Tech allowed him to hit the ground running last week against Ole Miss .
A Week 1 ankle injury sidelined him for three weeks. But after Vernell Brown III injured his knee and Bailey Stockton hurt his back during the first half against the Rebels, Singleton, who transferred from Auburn, stepped in and immediately stretched the field.
"He played eight, nine snaps. He went deep three or four; he got a pass interference, he got the 38-yard gain," Faulkner said. "He brings a totally different element when it comes to being able to take the top off of a defense than really anybody I've ever been around."
The 5-foot-10, 184-pound Singleton — a former Georgia 6A state champion at 100 and 400 meters — had 11 catches of 40 yards or longer at Georgia Tech among his 162 career receptions in three seasons. He also had 21 carries for 131 yards and a score in 2024.
With Brown and Stockton limited at practice and likely game-time decisions at Missouri, Singleton's return is right on time for Faulker and the Gators.
"It's going to help other guys get open as well," Faulkner said. "Glad he's getting back at this point."
Austin Simmons was Lane Kiffin's starter at Ole Miss last season until an ankle injury in Week 2 against Kentucky gave Trindiad Chambliss his chance.
Chambliss went on to stardom, while Simmons transferred to Missouri.
A week after beating Chambliss and the Rebels , the Gators aim to slow Simmons, a former UF commit from Pahokee .
"Really smooth thrower of the football, easy delivery, can make the throws all over the field," Florida defensive coordinator Brad White said. "If he wants to or feels the need to run, he's a smooth runner. He's got the wheels to capture an edge."
White should know. Simmons was injured facing his Wildcats' defense during Ole Miss' 30-23 win.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound left-hander has considerable physical tools — he was a high school pitching standout clocked in the mid-90s — and two seasons of training under Kiffin, among the sport's best at developing quarterbacks.
At Missouri, Simmons has thrived under Eli Drinkwitz, throwing 11 touchdowns and no interceptions. Simmons and Ole Miss transfer receiver Cayden Lee have connected 27 times for 412 and four scores.
"They can make us pay," Florida safety DJ Coleman said.
The All-American tailback remains out after suffering a gunshot wound to his upper leg in May.
The Gators won't have to face the SEC's leading rusher in 2025, but will still face a challenge with Missouri's run game.
The Tigers boast one of the SEC's top offensive lines, led by All-SEC left tackle Cayden Green , and execute Drinkwitz's outside-zone scheme with precision. Senior backup Jamal Roberts has picked up the slack, ranking third in the conference with 395 rushing yards.
White said Florida's defense will have to be disciplined and physical against a Mizzou front that will be "best one we've seen thus far."
But Hardy's absence is a break for the Gators, who also avoided facing injured Ole Miss star Kewan Lacy a season after he rushed for 224 yards against Florida.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
What:UF (4-0, 2-0 SEC) at Missouri (3-1, 0-1)
When:3:30 p.m., Saturday
Where:Faurot Field, Columbia, Missouri
TV:ABC
Favorite:Florida by 5.5 points
