Tigers score early, often in rout

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- No close call for Missouri this week. Taking the lead after only 8 seconds set the tone.

Carl Gettis returned a fumble 19 yards for a score on the first play of the game and was among seven Missouri players who scored a touchdown in a 51-13 rout of Miami (Ohio) on Saturday.

"I don't even think you can do that on a kick return," Tigers wide receiver T.J. Moe said. "That's about as fast as I've ever seen anybody score."

School spokesman Chad Moeller believes it's the fastest score in Missouri history. It's nine seconds better than a touchdown pass from Chase Daniel to Will Franklin against Illinois in 2005, which was the quickest tally in the 10-year Gary Pinkel era.

"I'm sure there have been some other ones that have been scored pretty fast," Gettis said. "That was good for our defense as a whole. I think that sent a message, what we wanted to do."

Missouri (4-0) scored on runs of 39 yards by Kendial Lawrence and 28 yards by Henry Josey while going ahead 21-0 in the first quarter. Blaine Gabbert threw a touchdown pass and scored on a 1-yard sneak for the Tigers, who immediately ended suspense a week after needing a last-minute touchdown to beat underdog San Diego State.

Pinkel said he only got two hours of sleep in the three days after that game.

"I wasn't the happiest camper this week, but you learn your lessons," Pinkel said. "You've got to bring your best. You've got to play your best."

Missouri finished its pre-Big 12 schedule unbeaten for the fifth straight year after polishing off Miami (2-2) and will get a week off before opening conference play Oct. 9 at home against Colorado. The Tigers have won 21 straight nonconference games in the regular season since 2005 and easily won without top pass rusher Aldon Smith, out with a broken bone in his right leg.

"Right from the beginning, I thought we played at a high level," Pinkel said. "We call it pedal downhill. Can you keep focused and play at a high level? Most of the day, we did."

The lone blemish was a missed extra point kick by Jackson High School graduate Grant Ressel early in the third quarter. The miss ended the school's string of 252 in a row by three kickers since 2005. Ressel hit the right goalpost after Wes Kemp's 33-yard scoring reception for a 34-3 lead, but recovered quickly and hit a career-long 50-yard field goal later in the quarter.

"I feel like I let them down," Ressel said. "But I just took my anger out on the ball the next time out."

Armand Robinson had 10 receptions for 99 yards for Miami, which had three turnovers in the first half. All three turnovers led to Missouri touchdowns.