OFFENSE: B

Missouri’s offense was far from spectacular against Kentucky, but it’s more about what the offense didn’t do that made Saturday’s performance so impressive. Quarterback Maty Mauk avoided costly mistakes, throwing for two touchdowns without an interception in the win, and the offense as a whole managed to play turnover-free football in a 20-point showing against the Wildcats. When Mauk and the offense commit turnovers and penalties, the offense is hopeless, which is why it ranked 13th in the SEC entering Saturday’s action. However, when the Tigers do not commit any turnovers, the product on the field looks a lot like Saturday’s game — a comfortable Missouri victory. The Tigers were average on offense, but that’s all they need to be with one of the SEC’s most underrated defenses.

DEFENSE: A

Missouri’s defense was incredible against a Kentucky team that scored 31 points against No. 1 Mississippi State one week earlier. The Tigers limited the Wildcats to just 258 yards of total offense on just 3.6 yards per play, and held UK to only 100 yards rushing on just 2.9 yards per carry. Mizzou also forced a turnover and earned a 10-minute advantage in time of possession, thanks in large part to the efforts of its defense, which limited Kentucky to short drives all game long. Kentucky didn’t reach the end zone until late in the fourth quarter, and by that time it was too late to mount a comeback. The Tigers defense smothered Kentucky all game, earning a resounding A on this week’s report card for carrying Mizzou to another ugly SEC East win.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B

Marcus Murphy was unable to break any long returns, but neither was Kentucky’s Demarco Robinson, making kickoff and punt returns a non-factor in this game. Missouri’s Andrew Baggett was 2 of 2 on field goals for the game (from 41 and 21 yards away), and punter Christian Brinser landed three punts inside the UK 20 yard line without a touchback to give the Tigers’ stout defense an added advantage in the field position battle. All in all, the Mizzou special teams were a net positive, but they weren’t overwhelming in the victory, earning a B following the victory.

COACHING: B

Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel has navigated his team to victory in a number of ugly games this season, and he deserves credit for the job he’s done after losing plenty of veteran talent off last season’s division-champion team. Kentucky’s defense did all it could to keep the Cats close on the scoreboard, but Pinkel remained patient and trusted his defense as Mauk and the offense found ways to score points despite a lackluster rushing attack. Rather than make a knee-jerk reaction that might have cost the Tigers a chance at a victory, Pinkel stayed the course and it paid off. Was he perfect? No. But did he deserve to win? Absolutely.

OVERALL: B+

Missouri is now 7-2 overall and 4-1 in the SEC, giving it sole possession of first in the SEC East standings with three games left to play. The win over Kentucky, coming on the same day Georgia lost to Florida, was a huge step forward for a program many thought had taken a step back in 2014. The defense played superb and the offense and special teams didn’t cost the Tigers a chance at victory, so all in all Mizzou fans ought to be pleased with not only the outcome but with the process as well. Missouri could have done more on offense, which is why it doesn’t earn an A for a home victory over a team that hasn’t won on the road in more than four years, but it earns a solid B+ as a reward for its impressive wins in close games time and time again this season.