Football Media Day Quotes
10/20/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 20, 2003
MISSOURI HEAD COACH Gary Pinkel
on the Texas Tech Red Raiders:
"If you look at the Texas Tech-Oklahoma State game, it's pretty staggering what [Tech] does on offense. Every game is pretty much like that one, they're very impressive. (Texas Tech quarterback B.J.) Symons is probably playing about as well as any quarterback I've ever seen. We faced a great team last week and we have another great one this week. It's a big challenge for us, because of the scoring that's needed to beat this team."
on preparing the defense for B.J. Symons
"You have to maintain your poise when you're facing a guy like [Symons]. It's called poise under pressure. You know that they're going to make some plays, that's just the way it is. I think what happens sometimes is that your frustration level grows and then you start making mental errors, missing tackles - we went through a little segment of that in the second quarter against Oklahoma. You have to understand that they're good at what they do."
on the Missouri offensive line:
"Last week we certainly struggled, but it was against arguably the best defensive line in the country. We have to do a better job protecting Brad [Smith]. Any quarterback will tell you that they need that to have the opportunity to look downfield and make plays."
on stopping Tech's offense:
"I've seen everybody try to do everything to stop these guys. I haven't seen anything work. I've watched all their games. You try to do the best you can to contain them, and that's what we'll do. I think there's a huge responsibility on the offense as well, and on the kicking game. In games like this, not giving [Tech's] offense short fields is critically important. That's where kickoff and punt coverage comes in. When you're facing an offense that's so explosive, these things are all critically important."
MISSOURI SOPHOMORE QUARTERBACK Brad Smith
on pressure:
"We just go out playing, and we need to help our defense out. We have to score more points and do a better job of controlling the clock."
on becoming bowl eligible:
"I think we are in a good position, and we are excited about where we are. We expect to keep winning and go to bowl games."
MISSOURI REDSHIRT FRESHMAN ROVER Dedrick Harrington
on Texas Tech's offense:
"[B.J. ] Symons is a great quarterback and he fits well into the system."
on Tech's wide receivers:
"They are tremendous athletes. Long plays, short plays, they always play quality athletes."
MISSOURI SENIOR PUNTER Todd Gohsler
on punting:
"I definitely need to be more consistent, and we need to improve our special teams because right now we aren't getting it done."
MISSOURI SENIOR CENTER A.J. Ricker
on the play of the offense:
"I want to put drives together, because the most important thing in every game is to keep the other team's offense off the field."
MISSOURI JUNIOR RECEIVER Thomson Omboga
on the performance of the offense against Oklahoma:
"We did a good job producing against OU. But we definitely have room for improvement and we have to continue to improve."
on going to a bowl game:
"It would be a big step for the team. I have been here three years and we haven't been to one. We have to take it one game at a time."
