By R.B. FALLSTROM
AP Sports Writer

ST. LOUIS(AP) -- Blaine Gabbert rallied Missouri from a 10-point
halftime deficit with two touchdown passes and Carl Gettis made
a leaping one-handed interception and downed a punt at the 1 in
the fourth quarter of an opening 23-13 victory over Illinois on
Saturday.

T.J. Moe had 13 receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown, and
the Tigers' defense shut out Illinois in the second half. Kenji
Jackson also intercepted Nathan Scheelhaase in the fourth
quarter to help seal it for Missouri, which finished the
neutral-site Arch Rivalry series with six straight victories.

Mikel Leshoure had 112 yards on 20 carries for Illinois, coming
off a 3-9 season. Scheelhaase, a redshirt freshman, was 9 for 23
for 81 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. He also
rushed for 76 yards on 16 carries in his first career start.

Missouri was a 12-point favorite and totaled 129 points the
previous three meetings, but scuffled in the first half.
Illinois controlled the clock for nearly 18 minutes and scored
twice in the final 2:10 to take a 13-3 lead on A.J. Jenkins'
10-yard catch and Derek Dimke's career-best 52-yard field goal
to end the half.

Illinois was held to 85 yards and four first downs in the second
half.

Gabbert was 34 for 48 for 281 yards, 167 of them coming in the
second half.

Gettis leaped high to steal the ball away from Jenkins at the
Illinois 45 early in the fourth quarter, halting Illinois' first
possession after Michael Egnew's 6-yard catch put the Tigers
ahead 17-13.

After Missouri's ensuing drive stalled, Gettis downed Matt
Grabner's punt at the 1. That led to a three-and-out for
Illinois.

Illinois took advantage of a terrible two-play sequence in the
first half. A wide open Wes Kemp dropped a pass at the Illinois
25, a gain that would have been at least 25 yards, and Gabbert
was sacked for a 14-yard loss to force a punt.

Illinois' last drive ended after Leshoure was ruled out of
bounds on a potential first-down catch at the Missouri 46 after
officials reviewed the play. Grant Ressel added a 35-yard field
goal in the final minute.

Missouri had 98 yards rushing without Derrick Washington, kicked
off the team earlier in the week after being charged with sexual
assault. De'Vion Moore had 78 yards on 16 carries.