Eli Drinkwitz reaffirms belief in Beau Pribula, compares to Brady Cook

Missouri had a chance to do something special on Saturday, with less than a minute on the clock and trailing Alabama 27-24. Quarterback Beau Pribula could get into field goal range for a tying attempt or potentially even win it with a touchdown.

Instead, he misfired on a pass over the middle and it was intercepted by the Crimson Tide. Game over.

For as good as Pribula has been this season for the Tigers after transferring in from Penn State, the mistake was a costly one. But it can also be an opportunity for growth, head coach Eli Drinkwitz said.

“I think Beau has done some really, really good things and I think there’s things that Beau is continuing to grow and develop,” Drinkwitz said. “I think, again, playing quarterback in this league, playing quarterback in general, is a growth proccess, and every rep is an opportunity to improve. And that’s what he’s doing.”

Drinkwitz didn’t seem at all bothered by Beau Pribula’s mistake, though he’d obviously have liked to win the game. Those are the kinds of things that happen, though, especially for a first-year starter.

The key is how you respond. And Beau Pribula has a chance to respond in a big way.

“I think I shared with him last week, or not last week, yesterday, there was a lot of questions about Brady Cook‘s ability making late-game drives,” Drinkwitz relayed. “I think he put all of those to bed his final two seasons as a starting quarterback. So you’ve kind of got to allow guys to grow into it and not expect that the first time anybody shows up to anything they’re going to be perfect.”

That was the first ranked opponent on Missouri’s schedule. There are three more the rest of the way.

So it’s incumbent on Beau Pribula to learn what he needs to from a tough experience. Do that and the Tigers are a potential College Football Playoff team.

There’s a whole lot of football still to be played, though. And things can go one of two ways.

For Drinkwitz, it’s all about Beau Pribula continuing to grow. That simple, really.

“He’s played well enough for us to win five games,” Drinkwitz said. “We had the ball last drive of the game with an opportunity. There’s always going to be growing pains with a first-year starting quarterback. So the expectation for Beau to be perfect is unrealistic.

“And regardless of what anybody else’s expectations are I’m very proud of the way he’s played. I’m very proud of the composure that he’s shown. I’m very proud of the toughness that he’s displayed. And I think he’s only getting better and better.”