What Eli Drinkwitz said after Missouri snapped the 5-game losing streak against Kentucky
Missouri pulled off a dominant performance in a 20-10 win over Kentucky on Saturday as the Tigers had control across the board.
The Tigers had a 43:10 to 16:50 edge in time of possession, and had 421 total yards against Kentucky’s 145. Missouri held Kentucky to just 2-for-9 on third down, and UK quarterbacks were 4-for-13 passing for 47 yards and a touchdown.
“It gives credibility to what we’ve asked these guys to do, and what we’ve asked them to do is different,” coach Eli Drinkwitz said. “Not that what they did was right or wrong, just what we’re doing is different. It’s a different style, and we’ve asked people to really buy into it whether it’s players, coaches, administration, fans. To see the results. To see us beat a defending national champion, to see us end the streak of five years, it gives credibility to what we’re trying to accomplish.”
Here are other comments Drinkwitz told the media after the game:
Watch: #Mizzou football coach Eli Drinkwitz on winning two straight SEC games.
“It gives credibility to what we’re trying to accomplish, and so it’s good – it’s a step.” pic.twitter.com/w5Bmlw4STU
— Andrew Kauffman (@AndrewABC17) October 24, 2020
Drinkwitz blamed himself for not kicking the FG after the 21-play drive. “That was a coaching screw-up.”
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) October 24, 2020
Drinkwitz on the time of possession (Mizzou had the ball for 43 minutes): “I’m shocked at these stats. I’ve never been in a game like this. That’s awesome.”
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) October 24, 2020
Drinkwitz: “I’m shocked by these stats.” https://t.co/BS0XugNR2r
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) October 24, 2020
Eliah Drinkwitz: “To see us beat a defending national champion and to see us end the (losing) streak of five years (to Kentucky), it gives credibility to what we’re trying to accomplish. It’s good. It’s a step.” #Mizzou
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) October 24, 2020
Drinkwitz said he should’ve called for a field goal on fourth-and-1 in the third quarter. “Honestly that was a coaching screw up.”
He said he should’ve made it a two possession game and he was thankful the defense held Kentucky the next drive and the offense responded well.
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) October 24, 2020
Drinkwitz on Connor Bazelak: “He has incredible poise. … He really doesn’t get rattled and does a nice job keeping his eyes downfield.”
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) October 24, 2020
Drinkwitz: “We were definitely planning to run the ball and try to pound the clock.”
He said Kentucky was forcing teams to throw interceptions, so they wanted to rely on Larry Rountree III. Rountree carried the ball 37 times for more than 100 yards.
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) October 24, 2020
Drinkwitz on getting a second straight SEC win:
“It gives credibility to what we’re trying to accomplish.”
— Andrew Kauffman (@AndrewABC17) October 24, 2020
Drinkwitz ends his presser with a joke: “Don’t ask me hard questions!”
Is he on “60 Minutes” tomorrow?— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) October 24, 2020
Last coach takes 3 years to beat a ranked team. Drink does it in 3 games. Last coach couldn’t beat Kentucky in their entire tenure. Drink beats em in his first attempt. Jim Sterk looking smart.
Every mover and shaker at Missouri got interested in Drink not just Sterk. At least one top Tiger flew out their to meet and and “interview” him in person as a pre-lim.
Also take note of the change in the ranking of the SEC today: 1. Alabama, 2. tie: Georgia and aTm, 4. Tennessee, 5. Florida (actually Florida shouldn’t be ranked because they have only played 2 games therefore… 5. Missouri and three other teams are 2-2 where Missouri does not have a head to head deciding game yet
Wait a minute how many of this team were recruited by Odom ?? Before giving all the credit to Drink, Roundtree and the QB and most of the Defense and offence was Odom built. Even Drink couldnt excuse not taking the field goal in the third that’s really fine coaching, I’m not Saying Drink is Bad but LSU isntvthe same team that won the championship last year and is rebuilding. Let’s keep our cool for a few weeks
Sounds like you ain’t Drinking!
That’s fair. Even Gary Pinkel didn’t succeed immediately at Missouri. BUT Missouri has hired head football coaches in the past who took the previous coaches recruits and won. Then won even bigger with their own. So it’s fair to say that Coach Odom had a chance to coach Pinkels recruit upward, AND to show that his recruits could execute his plans…. and did neither. Barry Odom is a young coach, he has a lot to learn (as do we all at most things), He may get a head coaching shot again if he want one. Walking into the most competitive football coaching environment in the game with no head coaching experience is going to result in less than a good PR look for almost everyone. Don’t over-look that Drinkwitz is also a head coach with little head coaching experience…. but a lot of assistant coaching experience in top programs.
LSU just beat south Carolina 52-24.
That works out really well. It helps make our win over LSU look like a more solid one, and also helps me think we are ahead of where SCarolina is right now. Every week is a new week of course, but still, that’s a much better scenario than had SEC rolled over LSU.
*SC not SEC
Well said, Drink made some critical errors in this game not unlike what we’d seen in years previous. He’s got a ways to go just like Odom or any inexperienced HC does. Last years KY, or even the KY from two years ago more than likely wins this game. It’s not like Stoops suddenly forgot how to coach, KY just isn’t as good this year.
Maybe but I think you will see Kentucky show more impressive games starting next week. What happened here was Drinkwitz told the defense it was their day, and the offensive line, and the running backs, that is was their turn to carry the team…. because putting the responsibility on the quarterback and receivers would be playing into Kentucky’s game plan. AND THOSE MISSOURI UNITS RESPONDED STRONGLY BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT ON SOME DAYS BAZELAK AND THE RECEIVERS DID MORE THAN THEIR SHARE. That’s a very mature team accomplishment. Thanks for the team football show today Tigers
I did not like re first choice for coach I thought we sold ourselves short. And it was a risk with drink but I jumped on that wagon right away. I thought we had to gamble, go all in. And we are players already this season. Not next but now. And next and the next to come
Mizzou fans…Your AD did well in signing Drinkwitz. I had some initial concerns about his inexperience as a head coach…but he has shown everyone that he’s up to the task. The future looks brighter for Mizzou every game. It makes me think of Mizzou teams in the Gary Pinkel days.