Eli Drinkwitz comments on Mizzou's dramatic OT win over Florida
Eli Drinkwitz and the Missouri Tigers picked up a huge win on Saturday in Columbia, beating the reeling Florida Gators 24-23 in overtime.
The Tigers went for 2 after scoring a touchdown, while the Gators only kicked the extra point after scoring on the first possession of overtime.
Now, the Tigers have clinched a bowl berth, and Drinkwitz was in a celebratory mood during his postgame press conference.
Here’s some of what the coach had to say after the big victory:
On the hard-nosed nature of the game:
Drinkwitz calls the game a “good old fashioned SEC football game.”
— Emily Leiker (@emleiker) November 21, 2021
On the defensive improvement under DC Steve Wilks:
Drinkwitz on Mizzou's defense: "Can’t say enough about the job Steve is doing right now."
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) November 21, 2021
On the 2-point conversion pass from QB Connor Bazelak to TE Daniel Parker Jr.:
Drinkwitz: Parker Jr was Bazelak's THIRD read on the 2-point conversion.
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) November 21, 2021
On a promise he made to OL Mike Maietti:
Drinkwitz visibly fighting back tears as he recalls a promise he made to Mike Maietti.
"We promised him we'd go bowling."
— Calum (@C_McAndrew95) November 21, 2021
On a big TD pass to Niko Hea:
On Niko Hea's touchdown, Tyler Badie told Eli Drinkwitz to call the play and Eli Drinkwitz said he was crazy. But they did.
— Max Baker (@maxbaker_15) November 21, 2021
On the crowd booing Bazelak and the offense:
Drinkwitz speaking postgame.
"Connor faced a lot of criticism, faced a lot of boos. But when we needed him, he was there. And that's what you need in a quarterback."
— Eric Blum (@ByEricBlum) November 21, 2021
Trolling Dan Mullen after last year’s loss at Florida:
Eli Drinkwitz walked into his postgame presser with a lightsaber. He ended by pulling his hood up and saying, "May the force be with you." Quite the jab at Dan Mullen, who wore a Darth Vader costume after knocking off #Mizzou last year.
— Lila Bromberg (@lilabbromberg) November 21, 2021
On how he’s going to celebrate the win:
Coach Drinkwitz on what he’s going to do to celebrate the big win: “Finish this diet coke, go home, may or may not smoke a cigar” @KOMUsports
— Colby Zak (@ColbyZak_News) November 21, 2021
On why he stuck with Bazelak:
Drinkwitz: “The most popular person on a football team is the back-up quarterback.”
— Emily Leiker (@emleiker) November 21, 2021
Coach Drinkwitz: "Right now, Connor gives us the best opportunity to win games."
— KOMU 8 Sports (@KOMUsports) November 21, 2021
Mizzou has now clinched a bowl berth. The Tigers will go for win No. 7 at Arkansas next week.
