Nov. 3, 2003
MISSOURI HEAD FOOTBALL COACH Gary Pinkel
on Saturday's game at Colorado:
"I think we all know the importance of this football game. I certainly have tremendous respect for Colorado, they've been one of the top contenders in the North since Coach Barnett got there. We expect to see their best game, and hopefully we'll see Missouri play at a very high level also."
on Missouri's ability to control its own destiny in the Big 12 standings:
"Our players are well aware of the importance of this football game, and the entire month of November. It starts with the first game at Colorado. Any thoughts on a topic other than Colorado are wasted, and won't help us to focus on this very important game. I think our players understand that. That's directly where we put all our emphasis and preparation."
on Colorado's game against Texas Tech last Saturday:
"I felt their defense did some exceptional things in that particular game. It went down to the very end, and Colorado had a chance to win it. What we do to prepare is to watch all the games and break them down by situations. I don't know that one particular game defines anything."
on any potential effect of the altitude change in Boulder:
"I played there when I was at Washington - trust me, the altitude has absolutely nothing to do with the game. Go climb Mount Rainer or something, then you'll find out what altitude is all about."
on the qualities that make a good center:
"They have to be very smart, because they make all the calls at the line of scrimmage in terms of protections and run blocking. They're at the point of attack all the time. They have the snap - which we take for granted - but they have to do it all the time, and also the shotgun snap which is incorporated into our offense. We were very fortunate to have [A.J.] here when we got here. It's nice to see his progress and it's nice to see him start to reap some of the benefits of his leadership and hard work."
MISSOURI JUNIOR WIDE RECEIVER Thomson Omboga
on Missouri's ability to control its own destiny in the Big 12 standings:
"We can't go into this game thinking, well if we win this we're still in line to play for the Big 12 championship. We have to focus on this week, and hope that we can continue to win."
on the difference in Missouri's offense over the last three games:
"The biggest difference is that after we lost to Kansas, everybody wanted to know a reason why we lost. Now that we've won a couple games it seems like nothing's wrong. It's still the same thing - we haven't really changed anything. I guess the difference is that we're winning."
MISSOURI SOPHOMORE QUARTERBACK Brad Smith
On learning to win close games:
"It's an attitude. To go out and win, you have to have an attitude. This year, I think we have that. We're learning how to prepare ourselves and to go out and win games that we lost last year. It's encouraging to know that we can do that."
On making big plays happen:
"I just go run, I don't think about it. I know the way that our plays are designed that it's going to be a 1-on-1 against a defender, and if I can pick up a block or two then I know that it's possible a big play could happen."
MISSOURI SENIOR CENTER A.J. Ricker
On being poised to break the Missouri record for most consecutive starts: (Ricker will make his 43rd consecutive start at Colorado)
"It means a lot, especially knowing the guys that have held it before me - All-Americans, some of the best centers to have ever played here. Maybe this record isn't as much about talent and what I can do as it is about durability. Playing college football and staying healthy is a lot of luck - people blow their knees out in practice all the time."
MISSOURI JUNIOR LINEBACKER James Kinney
On the team's improvement in close games:
"Yes, we are better overall. Losing the close games last year taught us a lot, and now we look at these games as a way to show that we have improved."
On not thinking about the Big 12 Championship game:
"It is not hard to I know how hard it is to win in this conference. For us we know that any team in the Big 12 no matter what the record they can beat you."
MISSOURI REDSHIRT FRESHMAN ROVER Dedrick Harrington
On lining up on the line:
"If coach wants me there that is where I will be. I just want to do whatever I can to help the team."
On the Colorado offense:
"They are a big play team, and if you do not focus every play they can hurt you. If we break down then that could be a touchdown, and one score could cost us the game."
On not being overconfident:
"They are a Big 12 team and their previous record does not mean anything to us. Every team in the Big 12 can beat you if you are not careful and prepare your best."