Sept. 15, 2003

MISSOURI HEAD FOOTBALL COACH Gary Pinkel
on Middle Tennessee State:
"They have had a very difficult schedule, but I'm very impressed with them. They played Georgia well - and Georgia is a top ten football program. They played Clemson very well. Their defense has done some great things against two really outstanding offenses. Their quarterback, (Andrico) Hines, is without question the best athlete we will have faced this year. He has great quickness and speed, and handles much of their offense right on the line of scrimmage."

on Missouri being ranked for the first time since 1998:
"I'm always concerned - that's my job. Especially because we're a team that doesn't know how to handle it, or might not be mature enough to handle it. It's my assumption that we won't handle it well, so I'll do everything this week based on that assumption. Hopefully as your program matures and it's not such a big deal, then it becomes a motivator. For now, there's no question I'm concerned."

on fixing the offense's slow starts this season:
"I'm not just going to sit around and say: 'Boy, I hope this works itself out.' I guarantee you I won't do that. I think what we'll do is make a couple of adjustments in practice. When we first got (to Missouri), we made a big emphasis on the offense running an 8-10 play set flawlessly at the end of practice, in the area we call our 4th quarter of practice. I think now we'll move that emphasis up to the start of the team period of practice, and see if that helps. But there's no question we'll work to correct this."

MISSOURI SENIOR CENTER A.J. Ricker
on the offensive line's performance in the first three games:
"We're not playing where we need to be, and that's obvious. We've got a lot of work that needs to be done. It's really frustrating, because you hear all this talk about the offensive line not living up to expectations, and we know we're struggling. We've got to get it done, and we will."

on being surprised by defensive formations:
"We have a few plays we run early that are designed to see how the defense is going to line up, and they've been lining up a lot differently than what we've expected. It's stumped us a little bit, but that can only be an excuse for the first series. On the second and third series, we've just got to get it done. We know that. We're not idiots. We just have to play a lot better."

MISSOURI JUNIOR WIDE RECEIVER Thomson Omboga
on opening up the passing game:
"It helps the offense, because it opens up more of the passing game. This way teams have to play us both for a deep or a short pass. It also helps out the running game, because teams always have to be worried about the deep threat. It just serves notice to the defense."

MISSOURI SOPHOMORE QUARTERBACK Brad Smith
on the offense's slow starts:
"It's just a matter of needing to go out and start the game with a better rhythm. We just have to execute a little better, right from the beginning. It's just some small things like that. We'll be fine."

on the inclusion of Tailback Zack Abron in the passing game:
"The way our offense is going, the tailback position is getting a lot more involved in the passing game. That's part of our strategy. He's doing a great job of getting open and getting the ball into his hands."

MISSOURI REDSHIRT FRESHMAN SAFETY Josh Hibbets
on changing positions to defense:
"It wasn't a second thought. I think defense was a great move for me. I want to do what's best for the team, and if that's defense, so be it."

on returning a blocked punt for a TD vs. Eastern Illinois:
"It was awesome coming free of the line and then scoring. It was truly amazing."

MISSOURI REDSHIRT FRESHMAN DEFENSIVE END Brian Smith
on the progression of Missouri's defense:
"We are happy with how we are doing, but we want to improve on (forcing) turnovers, tackles for losses and another shutout would be nice."

on recording a sack:
"When I get through (the line), I'm surprised to get through easily, but when I work on it, then it's nice to have."

on Middle Tennessee State QB Andrico Hines:
"I've seen film on him, but not a whole lot. I will go home and watch more of his games and really pay close attention to his moves."