Eli Drinkwitz explains QB decision, praises team for win over South Carolina
Eli Drinkwitz and the Missouri Tigers led South Carolina 31-14 in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game at Faurot Field.
Then, the Gamecocks came storming back, but Mizzou managed to hold on for a 31-28 victory, improving to 5-5 on the season.
After the game, Drinkwitz shared his thoughts in his postgame press conference. Here’s some of what he had to say:
On picking up win No. 5:
#Mizzou head coach Eli Drinkwitz speaking postgame now.
"We're still an incomplete team, so to find a way to win this game is incredibly big."
— ESPN100.5/105.1 KTGR (@KTGRsports) November 14, 2021
On making a change from Connor Bazelak to Brady Cook on the final drive:
Drinkwitz: Cook went in late because they needed the QB run and Bazelak wasn't moving well.
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) November 14, 2021
"I felt like we were gonna need the quarterback run, and Connor wasn't moving the way I wanted him to," Drinkwitz said on the late switch from Bazelak to Brady Cook.
— Calum (@C_McAndrew95) November 14, 2021
So, why not put in freshman QB Tyler Macon, then?
Why no Macon for the final drive? Drinkwitz said he went with a Bazelak-Cook game plan all week. He said earlier in the week it's too hard to gameplan for three different QBs.
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) November 14, 2021
On winning the Mayor’s Cup:
Drinkwitz: “Glad to have the Mayor’s Cup where it belongs…Columbia.”
— Aaron Ladd (@aaronladd0) November 14, 2021
On late turnover problems:
Drinkwitz called the two late turnovers while up three possessions, "like beating your head against a wall."
— Calum (@C_McAndrew95) November 14, 2021
On 2 interceptions by Bazelak:
Drinkwitz said the two INTs weren't related to Bazelak's health: "Just really poor decisions."
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) November 14, 2021
On the play of Tyler Badie, who had 209 rushing yards:
Drinkwitz on Badie: "If there's a better running back in our conference, I can't wait to see him."
— Wilson Moore (@wilsmoore_) November 14, 2021
“He’s really special,” Drinkwitz said about Badie in his on-field postgame interview. “We put the game on his shoulders again, just like against Vanderbilt. He delivered.”
Mizzou hosts Florida next weekend with a chance to pick up win No. 6 and become bowl eligible. We’ll see if the Tigers can pull off another win.
