Oct. 7, 2002

MISSOURI COACH GARY PINKEL:

On Nebraska~ "They've changed some names, but they've got a great football team. They run well. They're well coached. All the things Nebraska's always done, they're doing now. Obviously, they've had a couple of losses, but they came back last week and had a great game. And, I'm certain we'll see them at their very best."

On his young team and young quarterback playing in Lincoln~ "I think every player has to understand the situation and the environment of where we are going to be playing. They all understand the rich tradition of Nebraska and that stadium. I also think it's a great opportunity and a great challenge. This is another experience for Brad (Smith). It's different then what he's gone through the first five weeks. Not only are we playing at Nebraska, he's playing Nebraska, the football team. It's all about preparation."

On outside safeties Tauras Ferguson and Jason Simpson~ "I think they're playing pretty well. This is only the second year Tauras has played defense. I think every week he makes progress. I think what Tauras has done is he's thinking a lot less. That's enabled him to just go out and react with his great speed. Certainly, there are still some growing pains. I would have loved to have had him as a freshman out of high school. I think he's done a lot of things and have made some impact plays, but he certainly can get better. Jason Simpson is a player who has a great future. Very typical of a red-shirt freshman, he has his ups and downs throughout games and throughout the season, and we're pleased with his progress, especially for being so young. But, he's a player who I believe has a tremendous upside. I think he's going to get better, better, and better. He's got great foot speed and great quickness. People might be surprised that he's a 4.4 guy (in the 40-yard dash), he's got excellent quickness, he's smart, and he's got a lot going for him. I think the play out of both of those positions is significantly better, but I there are things we need to do to continue to get better."

On the importance of trying to get an early lead on Nebraska~ "I'd like to start every game scoring the first three times we get the football. Ideally, that's what I would like to do. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. I think any time you are going into a football game; you would like a quick start. I know we certainly would like to have one. That's why you play."

On Brad Smith~ "He has a lot of poise. He did a lot of things the first practice of the first day of spring football with shifting backs around and changing sets that red-shirt freshmen don't do. But, he works at it. He has such awareness about everything. He's just blessed. He's a gifted athlete. He's a very calm young man, and he's a ferocious competitor. His personality is a lot different when he puts that helmet on than when he walks through those halls. He's far exceeding what any red-shirt freshmen could do ever. I would be lying if I told you different. But, I always thought he would be a big time football player."

MISSOURI QUARTERBACK BRAD SMITH:

on dealing with a close loss~ "It was gone after the game. I mean, after coach's comments, you just have to put it all behind you and move on. It doesn't matter any more because it's done. We're looking on to the next game. We [ended] in the locker room talking about beating Nebraska, so that's our focus now."

On Nebraska cornerback DeJuan Groce~ "He's a big time player. He's a great corner, he's really fast. He makes a lot of great plays and he's really a dangerous player."

On what he would have thought about predictions of his success~ "I'd have thought that was a great compliment, but I'd still have to go out and do it. Until I actually prove myself on the field, it doesn't matter what anybody says."

On making big running plays~ "I always make sure to listen to what my coaches tell me and try to get out of bounds. That's just part of being a good quarterback. It's not my job to get downfield and try to prove my toughness, I just need to gain some yards and help the team out."