Sept. 2, 2003

Columbia, Mo. - Here are excerpts from Monday's media day with Coach Gary Pinkel and selected MU student-athletes...

Head Coach Gary Pinkel

On Preparing for Ball State

Ball State has a new head football coach that I have known for years. Very good coach and they had a big win last Saturday. It will be a very difficult and tough football game. I am concerned about everyone we play. We have a chance to be two and zero. They will play great and at a high emotional level, but I cannot see that game being more important to them than to us.

On Playing the First Away Game

Illinois was an away game as in a hotel and travel. It is all about preparation. Those teams that win ten or eleven games a year it is amazing how they win on the road.

On His Team Getting Better

Our total focus is to get better for the next game. We have many things to get better at, and try to get another win.

On His Team's Offensive Performance

First, you have to give credit to Illinois. We had a lot of breakdowns at every position. Even though we played a good team that was not our best offensive performance.

Quarterback Brad Smith On the Play of the Offense

Some of the deep plays broke down and we could not get the ball down field. I just took what coach gave me.

On Ball State

Every game is important. People who underestimate and do not give the other team respect lose. We have not won enough games to get over confident.

Defensive Lineman Russ Bell

On the Defensive Tackle Rotation

We have a good rotation. We rotated last year and this year. It really helps keep us fresh out there.

On the 'Bend But Don't Break' Defensive Performance vs. Illinois

We stuck together and kept them out of the end zone. We have a lot of work to do. They racked up 400 yards on us, but we kept them out of the end zone and that is good enough for me.

On the MU Secondary Definitely big plays help. We were bending, but we did not break we pulled together. I do not see any problems with us getting better throughout the year.