Eli Drinkwitz calls out Mizzou’s pass defense: ‘This is getting ridiculous’
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The Missouri Tigers have enjoyed a strong start to the 2025 campaign. They’ve clawed their way into the AP poll and are 4-0 heading into the final week of September. But head coach Eli Drinkwitz knows this team could be special, and doesn’t want any 1 unit holding it back from greatness.
Drinkwitz addressed Mizzou’s secondary following the Tigers’ Week 4 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks. He made clear that the mistakes he has seen thus far — from both playing and coaching perspectives — will not be tolerated as the season advances.
“When we watch the tape tomorrow, I’m going to be on some secondary coaches’ rear ends. This is getting ridiculous, how porous our pass defense is,” Drinkwitz said. “That’s gotta get shored up in a hurry, and whatever we gotta do to fix it, we’re gonna have to do.”
Missouri allowed 8 completions of 15-plus yards in their 29-20 victory versus South Carolina. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers threw for 302 yards — despite facing constant pressure — because of “holes in zone coverage,” per Drinkwitz. The Tigers held the Gamecocks to negative-9 rushing yards in the game, but still trailed entering the fourth quarter due to the pass defense’s struggles.
Mizzou’s dynamic offense is already complimented by a ferocious pass rush and tenacious run defense. Their pass defense feels like the one thing standing in the way of a College Football Playoff berth. If Drinkwitz can sort through its issues, the sky could be the limit for the Tigers, who face UMass next week at 7:30 p.m. E.T. on Sept. 27.
