Freshman running back Henry Josey ran for 112 yards and three touchdowns as Missouri thumped McNeese State 50-6 on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo.

Josey, pressed into more significant playing time by Derrick Washington's suspension and Kendial Lawrence's shoulder injury, scored on three of his first four carries, including a 62-yard run. He averaged 16 yards on his seven carries.

Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert completed 26-of-31 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown before giving way to backup James Franklin midway through the third quarter. T.J. Moe led the Tigers (2-0) with 10 receptions for 79 yards, and Jerrell Jackson added three catches for 43 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown from Gabbert.

Franklin and De'Vion Moore added rushing touchdowns for Missouri, and Grant Ressel added a pair of field goals.

McNeese State (1-1) scored its lone touchdown on backup quarterback Cody Straud's 15-yard touchdown pass to Wes Briscoe early in the fourth quarter. Straud replaced starter Jacob Bower, who was 11-for-19 for 99 yards and threw three interceptions.

Missouri limited the Cowboys to 57 total yards in the first half and forced five turnovers in the game.