BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - Danario Alexander caught two touchdown passes while Missouri's swarming defense had eight sacks and forced four turnovers, helping the Tigers hold off Colorado, 36-17, on Saturday to end a three-game slide.
 

The Tigers (5-3, 1-3 Big 12) jumped out to a big lead, scoring 33 straight points, and appeared on their way to a rout of Colorado (2-6, 1-3).

Instead, the Tigers had to hold off Colorado's second-half surge. The defense came up big in the final quarter, ending three Colorado drives on fourth-down stops and another on an interception.

Derrick Washington rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown, while Alexander finished with eight catches for 123 yards.

Blaine Gabbert hardly looked hobbled by a right ankle sprain in the first half, leading the Tigers to a 33-3 lead at halftime. The
offense bogged down in the second half, gaining just 94 yards.
 
 (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)