Tigers take down Toledo

James Franklin made crucial big plays on consecutive scoring drives in the second half and Missouri pulled away from Toledo for a 38-23 victory on Saturday.

Missouri (2-0) led 24-23 after Toledo (0-2) scored its first two touchdowns of the year but Franklin’s 21-yard keeper set up Henry Josey’s second 1-yard touchdown run of the game which extended Missouri’s lead to eight.

The quarterback later had a 6-yard carry on fourth-and-3 and an 11-yard gain on third-and-9 to set up Marcus Murphy’s 8-yard run to conclude the scoring with 10:29 to go.

Missouri coach Gary Pinkel beat the school at which he’s a Hall of Famer and the career wins leader with the help of a few goofs by the visitors. The Tigers picked off three passes from Rockets quarterback Terrance Owens.

Toledo’s David Fluellen had 111 yards on 14 carries and 10 catches for 100 yards.