Missouri cruises in SEC debut at Vanderbilt, 51-28

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — James Franklin threw for four touchdowns and Missouri squashed any doubts about its early season schedule with a 51-28 victory at Vanderbilt Saturday.

The Tigers moved to 5-0 and opened conference play without missing a beat in the program’s first trip to Nashville as a member of the SEC.

Franklin guided Missouri on scoring drives on the first six possessions and finished 19-for-28 for 278 yards.

Vanderbilt (3-3, 0-3 SEC) managed to move the ball in the third quarter, the Tigers answered each score.

Henry Josey added two touchdown runs for the Tigers, who recorded 523 yards of total offense.

Vanderbilt wideout Jordan Matthews was held to two catches and eight yards in the first half, but finished with 123 yards receiving and a touchdown to set a school record in both categories.

The 51 points was the most scored against a Vanderbilt team since Florida scored 55 in 2009.