Oct. 10, 2000

Quarterback Darius Outlaw:

On 21-0 loss last year at KU:

"Coach Smith said it was embarrassing. We got shut-out to KU and it was embarrassing when players had to leave and people were making fun of us."

On upcoming game against KU:

I'm trying to get the game plan going and we're playing real confident right now. We want to keep our heads up and keep playing our hearts out. This year we're gonna go out and be prepared to play.

"They have a real good defense. They like to stunt a lot and we just have to be prepared. We'll have to see on Saturday."

On his performance against Oklahoma St.:

"I looked over the film from Saturday and I did an OK job. I graded myself as a C-plus, maybe a B-minus. There are a lot of things I need to work on, I need to work on my technique and things like that. I saw some things I could work on and that's what I'm going to be working on. I just need to get better. I dropped my elbow a couple times in some balls I threw and it went away from the receiver. I take responsibility for some of my lineman jumping off sides."

"Last week we had a big game plan and we didn't even use the whole game plan. I feel comfortable with [it]. It's Coach Cubit's job to get me ready and he's going to run the [plays] that he thinks I'm comfortable with. Whatever he calls, I have to run and he puts faith in me that I can run the offense."

On MU-KU rivalry:

"It's game week. We really only have four good practices to get in there. Working on technique is part of working on the game plan. The way I see it, I don't forget about the rivalry, but I do see it as just another football game we have to win."

On relationship with Kirk Farmer:

"We talk all the time. He helps me out on the sidelines, and that helps a lot. Just having him there with this experience and telling me what I'm doing wrong, that helps me a lot."

On friendship with Justin Gage:

"He's always had my back and I've always had his. I have learned a lot. This year he is our big-play receiver and he does a lot. We talk all the time and just keep our level-heads and go out and play football and don't try and talk about football that much."

Defensive End Justin Smith:

On upcoming KU game:

"The main thing is we need to win. We're 2-3 and as of right now it's still a losing season. We just need to get back on track, get to 500 and from there give a winning season another shot. That's my main focus. KU has always been a big rivalry for MU. They always get up to play us and we always get up to play them. It's going to be a big battle."

"It's just another game on the schedule. It is a big game because it's KU, but we need to win, bottom line. I think our team realizes that and we just need to focus. Our whole focus is to get to a bowl game and have a winning season. It's a huge game and we feel we have to play one of our best games to win it."

On game last year at KU:

"We got shut out and we weren't even that bad of a team. We need to put that behind us and we don't expect that to happen this year. We're going out to win this year and our mentality is better this year and we're more confident."

On Justin Gage:

"He's definitely a good athlete because he's playing two division one sports. Anytime anyone can do that it's definitely an accomplishment. He's tall, he's able to catch the ball and make big plays. He's starting to develop into his body and I think in for a couple more years he's going to be a force to reckon with around here."

Head Coach Larry Smith:

On win against OSU: "We had an excellent defensive effort. The defense coming out with three big plays in the second half was a big factor. We won the turnover margin three to one, so that's a credit to our offense too. And we felt that at the end of the day we had excellent field position."

On upcoming game with KU:

"They're a lot better football team then the one who beat us a year ago. Offensively they have some great players back there. Defensively they're a lot quicker, especially in the secondary and I just think they're a better football team then last year."

"We're going to have to play our best game of the year. We need some major improvements, particularly on offense and special teams. I felt that last game our punt game was not very good against the protection. This week is a real work week for us to get ready for KU."

On KU's poor turnover margin:

"I don't think you ever hope it's going to happen. You have to try to force the turnover and we're trying to strip the ball an put a lot of pressure on the quarterback to make some bad throws."

On sitting Zack Abron against OSU:

"We talked to Zack afterwards and we had every bit of plans to play him the whole game. But Zain got the hot hand and was hanging on to the ball. So, why change? [Zack] understands that and hopefully that will make him a better back and make him more aware of hanging onto the ball. He's not in the doghouse. He's a big part of this football team."

On preparing for KU:

"I've always felt big arch rival games are big emotional games. I think it's better during the week to practice and prepare for your opponent and not running around like a chicken with your head cut off. We need to be prepared because we know they're going to be prepared. We have to be ready for Saturday and it's a slow gradual build up."

"I think our most concern is Dylen Smith. He's a very mobile quarterback and he has very strong arm and moves around a lot. He runs the ball and won't hesitate to tuck the ball and run. He knows how to throw the deep ball 65-70 yards. [Moran] Norris is not only big but fast then when he tore us up a year ago. Defensively I think they're quicker then they were before. "

On Justin's Gage being a possible decoy:

"I think when he's on the field they need to know where he is. We do so many things with our formation it's impossible for them just to key on him. We move him all around and even put him in the backfield. He can be a decoy but he will make big plays all the time no matter where he is."

On Darius Outlaw's first start:

"He went through a whole game, he showed good poise, made good things happen. And there are some things he didn't do well. Bottom line is you come back and learn from those and get better this week. I think confidence, learning and winning all go hand in hand."