The 1968 Alabama squad finished the regular season with an 8–2 record, with its two losses coming by a combined three points to Ole Miss and Tennessee. Following the team's victory over Miami, Alabama accepted an invitation to play in the Gator Bowl on November 20.[2] The appearance marked the first for Alabama in the Gator Bowl, and the school's 22nd overall bowl game.[3]
Missouri finished the regular season with a record of 7–3, with losses to Kentucky, Oklahoma and Kansas. Following the team's loss against Oklahoma, Missouri accepted an invitation to play in the Gator Bowl on November 18.[2] The appearance marked the third for Missouri in the Gator Bowl, and the school's 11th overall bowl game.[4]
Game summary
The Missouri Tigers scored first, with a Terry McMillan 4-yard touchdown run to complete an eleven-play, 71-yard drive to take a 7–0 lead.[5][6]
In the second quarter, Alabama scored their only touchdown of the game after Donnie Sutton intercepted a McMillan pass and returned it 38 yards for touchdown to tie the game at 7–7.[5] Missouri retook the lead late in the second when McMillan scored from five yards out to give the Tigers a 14–7 lead at the half.[5] After a scoreless third quarter, the Alabama Crimson Tide scored its final points of the game on a 28-yard field goal by Mike Dean to cut the score to 14–10. Missouri responded with three touchdowns to put the game out of reach.[5] The first score was set up after Roger Wehrli intercepted a Neb Hayden pass and returned it to the Bama 21-yard line. Four plays later, McMillan scored his third touchdown of the game on a two-yard run.[5] Greg Cook scored next on a 35-yard touchdown run and Dennis Poppe had the final points after returning a Scott Hunter pass 47 yards for a touchdown.[5]
For the game, Missouri completed zero passes, but rushed for 402 yards and out-gained the Crimson Tide in total offense 402 to 23.[5][6] The 25-point loss was the worst for Alabama in its 22 bowl-game history, and the 35 points Missouri scored were the most Alabama had ever surrendered in a bowl game.[3]
