James Franklin threw for 257 yards and a touchdown to lead the Missouri Tigers (3-2, 0-2) to a 21-16 victory Saturday against the Central Florida Knights (2-2). The win is the fifth straight victory for Mizzou following a loss.
Missouri's scoring started in the second-quarter when Franklin found freshman receiver Dorial Green-Beckham for a 80-yard touchdown pass. It was Green-Beckham's first career touchdown reception. However, the Tigers trailed 10-7 at halftime.
Mizzou punt returner Marcus Murphy gave the Tigers a boost early in the third-quarter. Murphy returned a punt 64-yards for a touchdown to give the Tigers a 14-7 lead. The punt return for a touchdown is Murphy's third this season.
Kendial Lawrence added a 10-yard touchdown to go up 21-10 early in the fourth-quarter.
The Knights did not lay down. Central Florida drove 83-yards in five plays to cut the lead to 21-16. But, UCF failed to convert on a two-point conversion. Missouri punted on its next possession. Then, Mizzou's defense sealed the victory when E.J. Gaines forced a fumble, recovered by the Tigers.
Missouri returns to Faurot Field next Saturday to host Vanderbilt. Kickoff is at 6:00 p.m.
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