Eric Beisel not backing down from Arkansas comments: 'I didn't apologize'
HOOVER, Ala. — Missouri linebacker Eric Beisel quickly became the star of SEC Media Days Wednesday when asked to discuss his infamous pregame comments prior to the Arkansas game. According to Beisel, he has no regrets making those statements. Following Mizzou’s 28-24 win over the Razorbacks, the move appeared to pay off for the Tigers.
The supremely confident Beisel admits the comments were more or less ‘for show,’ but were delivered with a clear goal in mind.
“Going into that interview, I had no doubt we were going to win that game,” Beisel said. “I don’t think any outsiders believed we were going to win the game. So that was really more for show, I guess. That rivalry is always going to be personal. People are always uncomfortable when things get personal. So, why not just make it personal?”
The goal of Beisel’s comments was to let Arkansas know they were in for a fight, something that proved to be quite prophetic, as the Tigers rallied back from a 24-7 halftime deficit to win the final game of the 2016 season.
“They want to come into our house, step on our field, they want to run through the A gap? Well, you are going to get hit in the mouth,” Beisel continued. “It’s disrespectful to step on the field at University of Missouri and think you are coming out with a win.”
So why was there an apology issued following his statements? That clearly wasn’t Beisel’s decision.
“I didn’t apologize, Coach Odom apologized on my behalf,” Beisel shot back with a stare.
Beisel went a step further, explaining that Arkansas coach Bret Bielema understood where he was coming from and why those comments were made.
“Coach Bielema was actually… he understood where it was coming from,” Beisel admitted. “We are both extremely competitive, he’s a great coach, hats off to his staff, his team. I have no doubt that they are a great team. It’s just, there’s a conflict of interest. I want what he has, and he wants what I have. When we step onto the field with pads and shoulder pads, he puts his army out there, and I put my guys out there, things are going to go down.”
When the “armies” threw down last November, only one came prepared for four quarters of action. As Beisel predicted, it was Mizzou that was left standing that day.