By Matt Overing | Football beat writer

movering@kykernel.com

Redshirt freshman quarterback Maty Mauk led the University of Missouri in a 48-17 rout over UK in front of 55,280 fans at Commonwealth Stadium.

Mauk led No. 8 Missouri’s offense that outgained UK 426 yards to 369 yards. He tied Missouri’s record for pass touchdowns in a game with five.

Sophomore wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham was on the receiving end of four of those five touchdowns, a record for a Missouri wide receiver.

After the game, Green-Beckham said that he felt like the UK defense focused on him during the game.

“I guess that was one of their game plans, to key on me,” Green-Beckham said. “The safety was rolling over most of the game. I felt like I came out there and beat their defense myself and went out there and made plays.”

Mauk started for the injured senior James Franklin for the fourth straight week.

He finished with 203 yards passing on 17-of-28 passes.

Green-Beckham finished with seven receptions for 100 yards and four touchdowns, all game highs.

UK sophomore quarterback Jalen Whitlow completed 17-of-27 passes for 225 yards. He also gained 44 yards on the ground on 24 carries.

He and senior running back Raymond Sanders accounted for UK’s two touchdowns on the ground.

UK opened the scoring with a 21-yard field goal by senior Joe Mansour. It would be the only lead of the game for the Cats, despite having opportunities to score.

The Cats could have been up two scores after their first two possessions, but failed to convert.

Brown said that consistency is imperative against a top 10 team.

“I think we had a great (first) drive,” Brown said. “We get a turnover and have an opportunity to get six, to make it a 10-0 game, and we didn’t take advantage. We have got to take advantage of those things or we’re going to struggle.”

Junior linebacker Tre’ Dunn said that Missouri executed their game plan and UK did not.

“We just didn’t do our part of pulling the trigger and making plays,” Dunn said. “That’s what it boils down to, making the plays. We missed out on opportunities and they capitalized on theirs.” P

art of UK’s game plan would have been to stop Missouri’s pass rush, one that leads the SEC in sacks.

But the UK offensive line struggled to keep Whitlow on his feet throughout the game, allowing seven sacks and 11 tackles for loss.

Whitlow appeared to aggravate his shoulder injury during the game but did not miss a snap.

UK offensive coordinator Neal Brown said that the team needed someone like Whitlow to lead on offense.

“I was proud of Jalen,” Brown said. “We are looking for production and leadership, and more times than not, that comes from the quarterback position. He had a look in his eye that he would not be denied in the third quarter.”

Sanders would score a touchdown late in the third quarter to make the score 35-17. It would prove to be UK’s final score of the game.

UK head coach Mark Stoops said that he’s frustrated with his team’s performance.

“It’s a tough situation,” Stoops said. “I’m trying to fight and claw and help lead this team as best I can. It is frustrating at times, but we all need to do a better job.”

UK junior defensive end Bud Dupree said that the team will continue to fight in games, despite being eliminated from bowl contention.

“We play for pride,” Dupree said. “We play for next year’s team. We play for the future of the program.”

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