Everything Eliah Drinkwitz said ahead of South Carolina
Missouri coach Eliah Drinkwitz met with local media Tuesday ahead of the Tigers’ SEC opener against South Carolina.
Here is a video of the full press conference.
And here is a transcript of everything he said.
Drinkwitz: “Good to see everybody today. I just want to start by saying again how much I appreciate our fans and the environment they created Saturday. Know it was a challenge with the adjustment of game time and heat, but was really appreciative of them being here.
“And, you know, I thought we played well Saturday. Tape looked as good as I thought it was going to. So there’s a lot of positives there, a lot of guys play. There’s things to correct, which is always good, too. So we worked on that yesterday, and now we’re on to South Carolina, and I appreciate our fan response selling out this game. I believe it’s our 16th in a row. There was one previous, I think, since 2016. So that’s a heck of a deal for our fan base. And just appreciate their commitment to us in creating an environment at Faurot Field that can be very intimidating.
“You know, South Carolina is a very good football team. They have a lot of momentum right now on, in their program. You know, from last year to now, the way they ended that season. Their quarterback is an excellent player All-SEC preseason, a Heisman front runner, and absolutely great player. We know firsthand is the way he played against us last year. Got really good players in the offensive positions. I think they’re Nyck Harbor again, played excellent against us last year. Dynamic return player, has elite speed, size has grown as a wide out.
“Got really good lines of scrimmage, All-American at the tackle position from last year. And then the running back, seventh year playing college football, is a really explosive player, really good player. Changes their scheme offensively. So got our hands full there.
“Defensively. I think (South Carolina defensive coordinator) Clayton White does an unbelievable job. They lost some guys last year, but when you watch the tape, you don’t really notice it. They replaced them, not only with good players, but they wear a lot of the same numbers, which is a little bit of a challenge.
“But you know, obviously they’re led by Dylan Stewart, the All-American defensive end, as good a defenseman as there is in this league. Elite combination, speed, power, physicality, really plays at a high level. I think their other defense end, Brian Thomas Jr., is great, physical player, does a really good job. They’ve replaced their two interior guys, which I thought last year was as strong as there was in the SEC and these guys are really good. Obviously, that (Fred) J Johnson was the defensive player week nationally, I think Week 1. He’s an excellent player.
“They’ve got several guys coming back off of injury in the secondary, so they appear to get healthy. So really difficult scheme in the way they play on defense.
“And then obviously special teams Coach (Shane) Beamer does an excellent job there. They always create an advantage. The return units are elite. Their punt returner has three touchdowns in three games more than the SEC combined. So, and they always try to create an advantage in that phase, whether it’s through fake punts, fake field goals, most recently, return opportunities, a big fake, big reverse against us last year that led to their drive to win the game. So it’s a really big challenge in all three phases. Going to be a really big challenge for our team. So with that I’ll open up for questions.”
Question: “Coach, with the quarterback situation, seems like, as of right now, some uncertainty around LaNorris Sellers. How are you prepparing for what you might or might not see at quarterback for them?”
Drinkwitz: “I anticipate LaNorris to play.”
Question: “Along those lines Eliah, I think last year was the first year of the injury report, or the availability report. … Is that working and are those a thing you guys pay attention to during the week?”
Drinkwitz: “Yeah, it’s not really for us. It wasn’t created for the coaches. It was created for transparency because of other industries that are tied to college football. So I would say you’d have to ask those guys. You know regarding the quarterback situation, you know Luke Doty has played at quarterback, another guy who’s played a lot of college football. We played against him before. I remember recruiting Luke out of Myrtle Beach High School when I was at NC State, really good player. But I don’t think their scheme is going to change any he’s not LaNorris, but he’s a very good, capable player. So for us, there’s not too stylistic differences in the way that quarterback position is going to be played. So for us, we’re going to anticipate that LaNorris will play and then will adjust.”
Question: “It seems like I’m asking you about mobile quarterbacks every since week. Sellers might be a cut above just your average mobile quarterback. So what is it about his game, his elusivity that makes him so challenging to defend?”
Drinkwitz: “Yeah, I mean, he’s listed as preseason All-SEC, first-team quarterback for a reason. That would tell us all he’s a cut above. He’s got a unique build and frame. He’s really strong, hard to tackle in the pocket, hard to wrap up. Makes incredible decisions and plays when the play is broken down. So, you know, I think that’s always a challenge, especially when you’re playing defense, if you’re in a man and he breaks the pocket and he’s going to take off and run. If you’re playing zone, it’s hard to keep a zone cover when your focal point is moved. So how does that zone move with it? So it’s extremely difficult challenge. He is an elite player.”
Quesion: “Coach, you mentioned last week you were looking for more out of Connor Tollison. And I’m wondering for you, is it important to be able to have leaders like him you can maybe send pointed messages to. Have him receive it well and then almost have it filtered down maybe to other players?
Drinkwitz: “Yeah, I think you got to always coach your best players the hardest. I think it sets the tone for everybody in that room that they know that if you’re coaching the best players the hardest, then the standard for them is the same. I thought Connor had his best game this year. Our outside zone scheme is predicated on the center being able to reach the front side shade or three, and he was able to do that all game. Even when we got tired. So, you know, that was a step in the right direction.
“Now we got to consistently do it. But you know, yesterday’s meeting, I coached Dante McClellen, just like I coached Beau Pribula. There’s mistakes on tape, call it out, and there’s no favorites, and there’s no babying around the issues. And that’s, that’s the brotherhood we live in.”
Question: Eliah, with Mike Shula taking over as offensive coordinator, Coach Beamer has talked about how they really haven’t had too many schematic changes because of that. Does that kind of track what you’ve seen from them the first three weeks and what challenges have they presented schematically?”
Drinkwitz: “Yeah, you know, obviously coach Schula was there with them last year as an offense analyst. And you know him and Coach (Dowell) Loggains co-created the plans each week. And so there’s a lot of carryover. You know, each play caller has their own flavor of how they call games and what specifically they’re doing to implement the game plan. There is some subtle differences in the run scheme. There’s more quarterback-driven run, plus-one runs, I would say, than there was probably last year. I think there’s more drop back concepts, and maybe that’s just Year 2 growth with LaNorris and something he’s more comfortable with. But you know, finding explosive, being creative, utilizing MP on that stuff that they did last year did effectively, versus us.”
Question: “Watching the game back, it looked like Louisiana found a little bit of success with some slot blitzes. Just when you were watching film, what did you see that they did well and what’s maybe the coaching point for Beau to counter that?
Drinkwitz: “Yeah, they got, there was three real times they had pressure. The first one was an overload pressure. They got us in a five call, and then they blitzed the mike and the safety. Dropped two players. Really were kind of in a tough spot. They brought over appeared to be seven, we only had six. For us, we’re going to have tom we’re always going to be stronger in the middle. We have to have a squeeze technique there on the front side, try to throw the hot over the ball, the slot blitz off the boundary out of empty.
“That’s something we got to see. It’s actually the play that we coached, one of the plays that we coached up yesterday. They had three-over-two in formation, and they had three-over-three to the field. That’s never going to be the case. You have four-over-three in the field.
Potentially still have three-over-two, but three-over-three, somebody’s having pressure. So something for us to notice and get better at. And then the other pressure was a field pressure where our outlet was the flat of the hot, which is exactly where Beau threw it to and he threw a touchdown. So that’s the risk-rewards to playing with, having hots. So things we can all be better at.”
Question: “Eliah, obviously you want your guys sharp for every game. But what degree do you reiterate or underscore, does the SEC opener this week, what does it mean to try to get out to a fast start in the conference?”
Drinkwitz: “Yeah, I think, as you elevate your program, you know, we talk about being 1-0 every week and the importance of a nameless, faceless opponent, you know. And last week, I think, the focus was not to allow our opponent to dictate our preparation or performance. And I thought our guys really responded to that. Our guys understand the significance of playing in the SEC, they understand that the level of competition raises, the importance of all the little things rises.
“They understand the importance of being 1-0, you know, this week. I don’t really think we have to hammer that or say that. I think that’s been the enhanced growth program over the last three years. You know, it’s an SEC night game. We’ve only had three since 2021 while others in the league have had way more than that. It’s an awesome opportunity for us to take advantage of that. But three ideas, the separations in the preparation put in this week, and most important thing we can control is that toughness Tuesday, not trying to play on motions on Saturday.”
Question: “Coach, you had some rotation at the right guard spot through last week, do you anticipate more rotation there in-game going forward?”
Drinkwitz: “Yep, ya. No change.”
Question: “Eliah, identity wise, I know we’re only three weeks into the season, but what did you see identity wise from your team that you can feel like, you know, you can build off of and make this team successful in SEC play?”
Drinkwitz: “We want to be a team that can stop the run, run the ball, and cover kicks at a high level. We’ve seen that really, for the first three weeks. So we just need to continue that trajectory. There’s situational things throughout the game that we talked about executing, playing well under pressure, that has shown up for us that we just want to continue to grow in those areas. I think our team is aware of that. You know, three weeks is just that it’s a small sample size, so don’t want to get too high or too low off of it, just continue moving in that
direction.”
Question: “Your defense, I think has faced the second-fewest plays in the country. … You’ve only been on the field for 147 snaps, you have one guy who’s played 100 plays on defense. What is the benefit these last nine weeks of the season of, you know, guys basically, probably playing the equivalent of only a game and a half, two games, so far?”
Drinkwitz: “Fresh horses run fast races. So, you know, I think we’ve done a good job of keeping keeping guys fresh, and hopefully that continues to show you know. None of that stuff will matter if we don’t play really well Saturday night. Play fresh and powerful, and that’s what we got to try to do. I do think our coaching staff has done a pretty good job of rotating and getting younger guys looks so feel confident in those guys playing situations.”
Question: “Coach, your units had two touchdowns on opening drives last year, your 3-for-3 on offense to start this year. What is working there, is there anything different and what is the value of starting quick like that?”
Drinkwitz: Starting fast is always important, it establishes the tone and lets everybody settle into a rhythm, whether it’s offensively or defensively. I don’t I don’t know if there’s a specific, specific formula. Obviously, (offensive coordinator) Kirby (Moore) and the offensive staff have done a really good job designing plays ready to go and attack, and our guys have done a really good job executing those plays. So know, all this stuff and all those stats are great when you look back on them, but that doesn’t mean anything this week. So we gotta start that process over again this week.”
Question: “On that, I know there’s some stuff you can’t say about the weekly prep, but what is it that Kirby does well during the week to be able to prep for those opening drives?”
Drinkwitz: “Oh, I think Coach Moore is an outstanding preparer. The amount of hours that he puts in, watching tape, understanding defensive schemes, having answers for the coverages and the fronts and the pressures, knowing the plays that we want to attack them with, and then having the answers for that. He’s got an army of people that he trusts, not just our coaches on the field, but his analyst crew that work in the engine room.
“I think those guys you know, again, there’s a lot of continuity there. So there’s a, there’s an understanding of what we’re all looking for, what we’re all seeing. They speak the same language. There’s great communication throughout the week. There’s a, there’s a good sample size of ideas. But also, not just outland, nobody’s just adding on. They kind of understand what is Kirby looking for? You know, what do our players do well? And this could fit. And then I think the biggest thing is low-ego, high-output. If he doesn’t like it, he doesn’t like it, and we’re all good with that. We all understand it’s the other day. He’s the one called plays. So he’s a really good job.”
Question: “I think you said last week when you were recruiting Kevin Coleman that you didn’t give up because he turned you down a few different times. I was just curious did the recruiting pitch change at all as you tried to recruit him multiple times? And then just what has he brought to the program?”
Drinkwitz: “Yeah, I mean, obviously the recruiting pitch changed quite a bit this, this time. But I think the biggest thing he’s brought to us is maturity into that room. I think losing Theo (Wease) and Luther (Burden) last year, you lost a lot of production and maturity. And being able to add Kevin, who’s a dynamic playmaker, but also a guy who has brought that room together on the field, I think they go to the adjustment and time together, and he’s got a drive to prove himself at this level with this team, for his state, which has been fun to watch.”
Question: “Coach, the Front 7 has been in the backfield a lot through these first three games, one of them being Josiah Trotter. What have you seen from them from this opening part of the season that you’ve really liked?”
Drinkwitz: “Yeah, physical downhill player who does a great job preparing throughout the week so he can play fast.”
Question: “Coach, Dylan Stewart’s among the best defensive players you’re going to face all year. What type of challenges does he present and how do you go about attacking him and attacking their defense?”
Drinkwitz: “Yeah, Dylan creates a tremendous amount of pressure on you, because of his ability to play the run. Most people in these kind of situations would say they want to play a read game with him, but he does an unbelievable job on his mesh charge. He’s vertical, plays hard at the quarterback, does a really good job of getting around blocks, can sustain and hold the ‘C’ gap when it’s against the tight end.
“Obviously, is, is really difficult to handle one-on-one. So, you know, it’s a challenge. I bet Clayton (White) would love for us to tell you exactly how we’re going to play this game but we’re not going to. So, you know, I think that’s the cat and mouse game schematically. But there’s also a measure of just, got to play the game. You know, there’s, there’s certain things that we do that we’ve got to be able to do. Doesn’t matter if it’s, whoever’s over there, we got to be able to execute it.
“You know, we’re going to be the team we want to be. There’ll be a little bit of this is what we got to do to neutralize or attempt to neutralize him. He’s going to make plays, he’s going to make tackles. He’s going to run you down from the backside, he’s going to defeat a block on the front side and make a play. Just got to try to minimize the impact has has overall.
Question: “Coach, I wanted to ask about Ahmad Hardy and what kind of growth you’ve seen from him in the last three weeks?”
Drinkwitz: “Yeah ,really, just proud of Ahmad. You know, really from when we went to Harmons, Jamaica and got a chance to spend more time with him and see his work ethic and kind of who he his, his personality. And then obviously the tiktoks or whatever of him riding a horse. And then just his, his connection with our team has been really cool to watch.
“You know, the first couple of carries, I’ll be honest, Week 1, I was like, ‘Oof, I haven’t seen this player before.’ Because that wasn’t kind of how he was all camp and what we saw on tape. And then, I think once he just settled into playing football and not really worrying about all the other stuff and just running the way he’s built, God’s given the ability to run, he’s really been special.
“His ability to break tackles reminds me very much of Cody (Schrader) and at times, Tyler Badie, but he’s got an explosiveness to him that’s more similar to Tyler. So, you know, it’s a, it’s really been remarkable. You know, I can’t, can’t say enough about the job that Coach (Curtis) Lupers done. Obviously, when you have Tyler Badie rush for 257 versus Vandy, Cody Schrader with 300 something all-purpose yards against Tennessee and you got Ahmad Hardy rushed for 250 that’s pretty, three pretty special performances out of running backs that he’s coached so.
“And that’s not to take anything away from other guys that we’ve had. You know, Larry Rountree was pretty sporty and Nate Noel, and Marcus (Carroll) had some really good stuff for us last year, so. But we’re really pleased with where he’s at, and we’re gonna need his best this week. You know, they got a really, really good defense. They’re really stingy against the run. Got two great linebackers two interior players that muddy it up with their movements, and he’s going to have to be his own blocker at times, so he’s going to have to rush hard again and see if we can’t get a couple of first downs. Thank you, MIZ.”
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