OL takes step back and what else Florida football learned in Mizzou loss

COLUMBIA, Mo. − It won't be a pleasant week of practice for Florida football following a 45-17 loss at Missouri that exposed UF's flaws.

The No. 8 Florida Gators (4-1, 2-1 SEC) put forth a flat, unfocused effort on the road, suffering their worst loss against Missouri since falling 45-16 to the Tigers on November 4, 2017, under interim coach Randy Shannon.

It was the first loss of the season for UF and the first for first-year UF coach Jon Sumrall.

"You don't have that performance today and not have some sort of sickness in your stomach about what you just did," Sumrall said. "Like I said, there's guys on our football team that (if they) don't own that, they won't be on this football team very long."

Sumrall said he's seeking more maturity and attention to detail as UF turns the page to its homecoming matchup against South Carolina at The Swamp on October 10 (12:45 p.m., SEC Network).

"I expect these guys to respond," Sumrall said. "I can promise you this. I'm going to do everything in my freakin' power, everything to help them respond. That's my job.

"And we're not going to be OK with this. This is not our standard here. And, disgusted by it. But we have to help this team grow. That's what our job is. And we need the player leadership to help it grow."

Here's what Florida football learned following its loss to Missouri:

Florida football offensive line still has room to grow

UF's offensive line appeared to be coming together under first-year offensive line coach Phil Trautwein, with center Harrison Moore and left tackle Bryce Lovett earning SEC offensive line of the week honors in back-to-back weeks against Auburn and Ole Miss .

But UF's offensive line took a step back against the Tigers. Missouri lived in UF's backfield throughout the afternoon, recording 11 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. Florida failed to open holes consistently for Jadan Baugh and Duke Clark, as the Gators managed just 42 yards on the ground on 1.7 yards per carry.

Florida football still committing too many penalties

The Gators finished with eight penalties for 80 yards against the Tigers, the third straight game where UF has been flagged eight or more times in a game.

Two penalties proved crucial. One came when Lovett was flagged for a blind side block, negating a big play on a pass by quarterback Aaron Philo to wide receiver Dallas Wilson on a tunnel screen pass, The second came on a holding penalty in the fourth quarter that negated a London Montgomery kickoff return for a TD.

Florida football needs to get WR Eric Singleton Jr. more involved

A transfer from Auburn, Singleton was projected to be an impact offensive player based on his 23-plus mile per hour treadmill speed. But the 5-foot-10, 184-poud Singleton may still be a slowed a bit in his recovery from an ankle sprain.

Singleton was targeted just twice in the passing game, finishing with one catch for nine yards in his second game back from the ankle injury. He also lost seven yards on a run play.

With leading receiver Vernell Brown III out with a knee injury, sophomore receiver Dallas Wilson stepped up with four catches for 66 yards and a TD. But Florida is going to need both Wilson and Singleton to produce if Brown is out for a longer period of time.

Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun's Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1.