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ORLANDO — Maty Mauk and Shane Ray, Missouri’s most dynamic playmakers on each side of the football this season, are ready for bowl week to be over.
The final business trip of the 2014 season concludes on Thursday when the 16th-ranked Tigers battle Minnesota in the Citrus Bowl, Mizzou’s second straight New Year’s postseason trip as SEC Eastern Division champs.
“The main purpose we came down here is to win this football game, and now we’re in that 48-hour period where we’re locked in and focused up,” Mauk said Tuesday. “We understand (that) we came down here to have fun, but that stuff’s over with. And, like I said, it’s the lockdown period. We’ve got to make sure we come out and play our best football game.”
The Citrus Bowl marks a transition period for the Tigers who are playing their final game with Ray off the edge and Dave Steckel calling the plays as defensive coordinator. Steckel accepted the Missouri State gig as its new head coach while Ray, a projected first-round pick, is skipping his final season for the NFL.
Ray, the SEC’s defensive player of the year and sack leader, said Tuesday he appreciates the opportunity he’s been given at Mizzou.
“Mizzou was the first school to come and give me an offer and I couldn’t turn that down,” he said. “And I was able to come up here. I’m lucky to have coaches that were able to put up with me for a little bit and continue to work on me and my developing, and I’m just blessed to be able to be in a position I am today.”
Other notable soundbites:
Mauk on being a ‘Ohio guy’ and playing a Big Ten team in the postseason: “That doesn’t really have a factor to what I do. But the main thing is, it’s another opportunity to go out there and play the game you love. And we’ve had a great week of practice. We’re ready. We’re executing what we need to. And now it just comes down to this last 48 hours, to really focus up, stack up on the film and really come out and play the best game of the year and send these guys off right.”
Ray on whether the defensive coaching staff has been easier on the guys this week: “Coach Steck doesn’t change. He stays on us, demands the same kind of intensity and effort from us every day at practice. You know what we’re going to get day in and day out with Coach Steck. And, I mean, that’s just why he commands so much respect from all the defensive guys because we know when it’s time to go in and work. That’s what Coach Steck expects from us, and that’s what’s been doing on.”
Mauk on if he’s using Thursday as a springboard to next season: “I mean, I’m not focused on next year at all by any means, but it definitely is a stepping stone for me. It’s another opportunity, like I’ve said. Every day, I’m going to do whatever I have to do to get better, and that’s a good thing. I have coaches that aren’t going to let me slack off.”
