Oct. 21, 2002
MISSOURI COACH GARY PINKEL
On the importance of this game~ Obviously, this is the biggest game on our schedule. It's a game, regardless of how the season goes, regardless of the records of each team, whether your 1st or 101st in the nation, it's a big, big rivalry, and that's certainly the emphasis we're making to our football team since the day I've been here. It's a critical game from both our standpoints. Our players got to know their responsibility with this rivalry when they decided to go to the University of Missouri. That's what we're trying to teach them and have them understand. There's a lot more emotions in this type of a football game. This is a rival game, and these are fun games.
On the defense's tackling~ I was certainly disappointed in our tackling this last game. Overall, I like to think that we've tackled pretty well, except for two football games (Bowling Green and Texas Tech). And, we didn't look very good in both of those games. Our reaction wasn't very good. Even though we've tackled pretty well, we didn't in those two games, and that isn't acceptable. That isn't good enough.
On Kansas~ In building a program, we certainly have paralleled ourselves a lot. We both are having our ups and downs we go through in what we're trying to do. Whittemore has been doing a good job since he became quarterback. They do a lot of good things in their vertical passing game. They blitz. They protect the ball fairly well. They don't have a negative turnover ratio. That is certainly a plus, and their players play hard.
On the importance of the MU-KU rivalry~ A year ago I spent a lot of time with it. When I first got here, I quizzed people and players about the rivalry, and for some reason, they didn't know very much. It was a bit disturbing to me. I would suggest by the time we played the game last year, our players understood it. I would also suggest that these players will be remembered for their record against KU. That's the way it is. That's a responsibility and burden that is placed on them, and they have to understand that. I'm sure they feel that way on the other side. That's what rivalries are all about.
On how Coach is handling the three game losing streak~ I've been a doom and groom, grumpy guy lately. I think my general attitude has always been positive. I know some people may be shocked about that. I just do not handle losing very well. I don't do that. It just eats me up. It drives me nuts. It hurts bad! It still hurts, and maybe that's not good. Maybe that's not good. Maybe it hangs on me too much. I wish I could just blow it off and say, 'we've got a young team, and we're going to be better down the road. We're going to okay.' I can't do that. Even if I tried to, I can't do it. It makes me sick, and that's okay. That's who I am. I also think that's why I have been reasonably successful. I have got to get that point across to my football team.
MISSOURI QUARTERBACK BRAD SMITH
On whether he prefers to throw or pass~ Whatever my team needs me to do, it's my responsibility to do just that. We're looking forward to any kind of challenge, or anything our team is put in front of. It's going to be fun.
On the importance of the KU game~ From what Coach Pinkel and the rest of the guys have told me, this is the most important game of the year. We hear about it everywhere we go. People tell us, 'if nothing else, beat KU.' It's amazing to see how big of a rivalry this is.
On whether it is fair for fans to expect a victory over KU~ In a sense, it's fair. That's how it's always been around here. That's the pride the fans have, and that's good. That just makes us better.