Oct. 6, 2003
MISSOURI HEAD COACH Gary Pinkel
on facing the Nebraska Cornhuskers:
"We've been working hard and there's a lot of enthusiasm. We're certainly excited about this opportunity to play a great football team. They're a team that's playing exceptionally well in all areas of the game, and they're ranked in the top ten in the nation. We're excited to have them coming to Faurot Field and to have the game in front of our fans."
on Nebraska:
"Their defense is ranked number one in the nation right now. Offensively, they move the ball very well. They play a power game and use the option. (Quarterback Jammal) Lord does a great job of running the offense. They've forced 19 turnovers - almost four a game. That's a huge number, and that might resemble the Nebraska of old. They're playing very well."
on putting a loss behind you:
"With a bye week you tend to hold on to things for a little longer, but there's a certain point where you let something go. I'm still trying to mature to that point as a 51 year-old. But you have to reach that point, evaluate it and move on."
on opening up the offense:
"There's no magic solution, and we're not going to just change our offense. We like what we do. Certainly the amount of yards we're getting throwing the football isn't good enough. So we have to do something to correct that. We have to face the best defense in America this week as we try and test it and find something better, so I'm anxious to see what happens."
on increased intensity at practices:
"I see it a little bit, but I don't really understand why. I think generally we practice pretty well, but the excitement and enthusiasm level has been up. I think we're certainly excited about playing this game and playing a great football team."
MISSOURI QUARTERBACK Brad Smith
on facing Nebraska:
"It's a big challenge for us. They have a very good defense - ranked first in total yards. We have to focus on ourselves, going out there and executing our game plan."
on opening the offense up against the 'Huskers:
"We've practiced plays where we throw the ball down the field. We have to go out and let loose a little more come Saturday. We're ready and prepared. I don't know what the coaches are thinking, but I know we're going to go out and attack and make plays."
MISSOURI TAILBACK Zack Abron
on improving the offense:
"We have to work better as a unit. We have to get the running game moving down and also get the passing game going at the same time. Until we get everyone on the field doing their jobs together, we have to keep working harder."
on Nebraska's defense:
"They have a great defense. They're very fast and do a lot of movement up front. They like to blitz. They have a lot of great guys coming back to their defense. The key for us is to get started fast."
MISSOURI ROVER Dedrick Harrington
on stopping Nebraska quarterback Jammal Lord:
"Lord is a great athlete - the whole team is full of great athletes. We know we have a tough task coming up. We have to contain him - we can say this or that about it, but it's all about what has happened at the end of the game."
on ending MU's losing streak to the Cornhuskers:
"I've seen how Nebraska has been a pain in Missouri's side for a long time. Some games we've played them close, but other times they've come out and beat us pretty bad. It's been a long time since we've beaten Nebraska, and I know a lot of people want to see that - but most of all our team wants to see that because of how hard we've worked."
MISSOURI FREE SAFETY Nino Williams
on Nebraska:
"They play power football, so it's going to be physical. In order to get what we want, we have to go in and be just as physical as them."
on Nebraska quarterback Jammal Lord:
"He plays really good football. He's a big focal point for their team, and a big part of what they do, so we have to focus on containing him at the same time we're taking care of everybody else."