Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz breaks down plan to give each quarterback a half in season opener

Missouri is set to split time between two quarterbacks in its season opener against Central Arkansas, according to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Penn State transfer Beau Pribula and Sam Horn will each see a half, with Pribula getting the first half.

To date, coach Eli Drinkwitz had not addressed the decision to play both. That changed on Wednesday on an SEC teleconference call.

“I think both quarterbacks have done an excellent job of doing things that we’ve asked them to do,” Drinkwitz said. “There wasn’t enough separation that I felt like there was a clear-cut starter, and so the next best evaluation is in a live football game to see how guys respond, not only to preparation and a gameplan, but also respond to a crowd, also respond to being tackled and being hit.”

Pribula transferred to Missouri this offseason after spending three seasons at Penn State, where he amassed 424 passing yards and nine touchdowns in 24 career appearances. Pribula is also a legitimate rushing threat. He tallied 571 yards and 10 scores on just 94 carries with the Nittany Lions.

With an NIL package ranging near $1.5 million, he was seen as the almost certain starter. But it’s been a close battle.

Drinkwitz broke down why he is opting to handle the battle at Missouri in the manner he is. He explained.

“I’ve done it before where you alternate every two series or each quarter, and I just didn’t feel like that was a healthy way,” Drinkwitz said. “We did it in ’23 where we played both halves and I felt like it gave our offense a chance to play with some rhythm and it gave our quarterbacks a chance to be evaluated.”

While Pribula boasts the most in-game experience in Missouri’s quarterback room, Horn is the most familiar with Missouri’s offensive schemes. Horn is entering his fourth season with the program and is the only returning quarterback on the roster. Alas, he’s only made four appearances in his collegiate career.

Horn didn’t see any action last season due to an injury. His future with the team was uncertain after he heard his name called in the MLB Draft in July, but he ultimately opted to remain on the team.

But until one separates himself from the other, the competition will remain. Drinkwitz sounds like he’d like to make a more permanent decision sooner than later.

“That’s the plan going into it,” he said. “As with anything, plans are subject to change based on the environment and what’s going on, but that’s what we’ll plan on doing.”