Eli Drinkwitz reveals why Sam Horn did not play despite planned debut

The Missouri Tigers and head coach Eli Drinkwitz headed into Saturday’s game with a plan to get freshman quarterback Sam Horn ample playing time. Unfortunately, that plan never came to fruition which had some members of the media wondering why. After the game, Drinkwitz explained why the plan to play Horn was scrapped.

“I thought, at the 17-nothing mark, we were going to potentially get a couple of scores in the third quarter and then have a chance to play him,” said Drinkwitz. “But the best-laid plans of mice and men, I think, kind of played out there. And so just didn’t feel like it; I didn’t feel any point in the third quarter comfortable in this game.

“We had talked about getting him in early. But I just felt like with the 14-0. We got the ball back with about a minute left. It was really Brady’s drive, and I just didn’t feel the scenario played out the way we wanted it to.”

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The plan appeared to be right on schedule for Horn to make his debut, with the Tigers taking a 17-0 lead into the half. However, Missouri struggled to play consistently on either offense or defense, which led to Drinkwitz pulling the plug on Horn’s debut.

The freshman may not have gotten to play against Vanderbilt, but his head coach believes that it is vital for him to see playing time soon. When it comes to taking snaps, not only has he earned them, but it might be a good idea to get him prepared in case anything happens to starter Brady Cook.

“He needs them; he’s earned them. He’s got the opportunity to do it. And the way Brady’s getting hit right now; we got to be ready. I mean, you’re not going to survive a quarterback getting free shots like that. We got to fix it as in protection and scheme. Because that crap is just unfair.”

The true freshman from Lawrenceville, GA, still has a handful of games where he could see some quality playing time. Unfortunately, the next three games the Tigers will play will be against three of the more competitive teams in the SEC East: South Carolina, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Drinkwitz might have wanted to ease Horn in against Vanderbilt. Now it appears as if he might have to face a trial by fire.