Football: Gabbert shines in debut

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Chase Daniel's former understudy threw three touchdown passes in a stellar starting debut. Sophomore Blaine Gabbert also had a lot of success running the ball, which wasn't the strength of the former Heisman Trophy finalist.

Gabbert was 25 for 33 for 319 yards and ran for a fourth score in Missouri's 37-9 opening victory over Illinois on Saturday. The rebuilding Tigers won their fifth in a row in the neutral-site series.

“He was locked in,” Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said. “He can run. He can put a lot of pressure on a defense like Chase Daniel couldn't. Don't tell Chase I said that.”

Quarterback Juice Williams was held in check for Illinois, which just missed cracking the preseason Top 25 yet flopped despite an offense with eight returning starters. The Fighting Illini were 5-7 last year but had been a touchdown favorite against a program replacing 23 seniors, including Daniel and a pair of NFL first-round draft picks.

“I sure wouldn't have thought we'd play like that,” Illinois coach Ron Zook said. “I'm embarrassed with it, but I'm definitely not getting ready to throw in the towel. I think our guys will come back. ... I know our guys will come back and fix it.”

The Tigers led 16-3 at the half and pulled away with touchdowns on two of their first three possessions after the break. Danario Alexander had 10 receptions for 132 yards, including two catches for 59 yards, on the opening drive of the third quarter, and Jared Perry caught a 46-yard touchdown pass in the third for a 30-3 lead.

“We had guys all over the field making plays,” Alexander said.

Missouri 106147—37

Illinois 0306—9

First Quarter

Mo—FG Ressel 32, 7:23.

Mo—Kemp 49 pass from Gabbert (Ressel kick), 3:02.

Second Quarter

Ill—FG Eller 24, 13:40.

Mo—FG Ressel 44, 8:36.

Mo—FG Ressel 41, :06.

Third Quarter

Mo—J.Jackson 4 pass from Gabbert (Ressel kick), 11:18.

Mo—Perry 46 pass from Gabbert (Ressel kick), 5:39.

Fourth Quarter

Ill—LeShoure 1 run (kick failed), 13:19.

Mo—Gabbert 8 run (Ressel kick), 8:48.

A—64,215.

Mo Ill

First downs 21 18

Rushes-yards 37-117 35-110

Passing 325 215

Comp-Att-Int 26-35-0 22-37-1

Return Yards 19 5

Punts-Avg. 4-46.5 5-39.8

Fumbles-Lost 1-0 2-1

Penalties-Yards 5-45 4-40

Time of Possession 29:54 30:06

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Missouri, D.Washington 14-61, Gabbert 10-39, D.Moore 8-21, Team 1-(minus 2), Lawrence 4-(minus 2). Illinois, Pollard 5-38, LeShoure 10-38, J.Williams 13-27, McGee 2-11, Fayson 1-1, Ford 1-0, Green 1-(minus 1), Duvalt 2-(minus 4).

PASSING—Missouri, Gabbert 25-33-0-319, Weatherspoon 1-2-0-6. Illinois, J.Williams 18-28-1-179, McGee 4-9-0-36.

RECEIVING—Missouri, Alexander 10-132, Perry 4-93, Kemp 4-77, Jones 3-17, J.Jackson 2-3, Egnew 1-6, D.Washington 1-0, D.Moore 1-(minus 3). Illinois, Fayson 4-50, LeShoure 3-41, Sykes 3-18, Cumberland 2-27, Ramsey 2-20, Duvalt 2-16, C.James 1-19, Benn 1-9, Green 1-6, Pollard 1-4, Graham 1-3, Hoomanawanui 1-2.

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