Eli Drinkwitz after 49-14 loss to Georgia: 'I'm not going to let this game define our season'
The Missouri Tigers have been one of the best stories in the SEC this season, but the Mizzou bandwagon lost a wheel on Saturday in Columbia.
The No. 9 Georgia Bulldogs came to town and thoroughly dominated the Tigers, pulling away in the second half for an easy 49-14 victory.
After the game, coach Eli Drinkwitz met with the media. He had a lot to say about his program and how the Tigers move forward from this loss. Here were some of his comments:
On where Georgia had the biggest advantage:
Where did Drinkwitz see the biggest personnel advantage for Georgia? "In the trenches on both sides."
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) December 12, 2020
On a lack of depth due to players opting out and COVID-19 issues:
Drinkwitz: "We don’t have enough depth." Tigers had 59 available scholarship players today.
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) December 12, 2020
On a pair of key injuries:
Drinkwitz says S Tyree Gillespie was knocked out of the game with an injury for the second half. Didn't have more details. Said Bazelak was "beat up."
"We're all beat up. It's the ninth game of an SEC schedule."
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) December 12, 2020
On moving forward with their heads held high:
Eli Drinkwitz: "We lost, but hope's not lost."
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) December 12, 2020
Drinkwitz: "This team doesn't lack fight. It just lacks bodies."
"We lost, but hope's not lost."
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) December 12, 2020
#Mizzou's Eliah Drinkwitz: "We've had a helluva season up to this point. I'm not going to let this game define our season."
"I don't question our team's fight. I don't question our coaching staff's fight."
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) December 12, 2020
On what it will take to compete in the SEC East:
Eliah Drinkwitz: "Right now, the two top teams in the SEC East we weren't competitive with. That starts with me in recruiting and player development. We've got a lot of work."
— Souichi Terada (寺田惣一) (@SouichiTerada) December 12, 2020
Mizzou finishes the regular season next weekend at Mississippi State. If the Tigers can beat the struggling Bulldogs, they’ll finish with a 6-4 record. That would be a huge result for Mizzou in Year 1 under Drinkwitz.
