Oct. 3, 2005
Media Day
October 3rd, 2005
Opening Statement:
"We are preparing for Oklahoma State. They're a very good defensive football team. They're playing exceptional defense. Offensively, they're quarterback's got great quickness and speed. It's his second week in a row as quarterback. They've got good parameter speed, and good size receivers. We recognize our preparation for Oklahoma State, and we also recognize the things we need to improve on in order to be a better football team. And that's what we are going to do."
On the loss against Texas last week:
"They're disappointed in how we played in the second half. What we try to do is recognize the things that we need improvement on, and you deal with it, and then you move on, and you take a positive attitude and correct all of your mistakes. That's what we always do. One of the things that will make you feel better is to win, and that's o.k. That's the way this business is."
On Missouri's high number of turnovers:
"We're 99th in the nation in turnovers. As far as defense in concerned, we're going to do extra drill work. We did the same drill work a week ago, but we're going to do more. I've been here before, and what you do, is you keep working it and working it, and you're going to come up with four turnovers in one game, and you're going to get rolling. I'm a real firm believer in that because I've been in this situation before. On the other side of it, offensively, we've got to protect the football better. Since Brad has the football in his hands often as quarterback, you look at him, and think that it's his fault all the time. What we do is look at it and evaluate where the problems are. It's not the point of blame, but the point is, when you coach a quarterback, they still have to protect the football. What Brad has to do is deal responsibly with other problems that are presented to him, and he can do that. We've had some critical field positioning losses in our last two games. It's there, but those can be prevented. It's a matter of the offense together, with the receivers, protection, the running backs, and the quarterbacks all working together. It isn't just about Brad."
On the talent and expectations from Oklahoma State...
"I think they're a pretty good football team. We always have respect for whoever we play and what they do. I think they are a very good defensive football team, offensively they're struggling. They have a young athlete in the back field. He's has gotten better the last two games. They do a lot of things on offense; many, many things on offense, and so that's what our focus is and we understand that they lost a game; we both lost one and obviously, we both want one back and that's natural as competitors. This will be a challenge like every other one is."
On having the special talents of Martin Rucker and Chase Coffman ...
"Well, we played them both. We have a personal set with both of them; you can bring Will Franklin out or Brad Ekwerekwu. That's good, that's a positive situation. Those two guys are really playing well. Obviously, they're big target's, they're athletic. Rucker, he's playing exceptionally well. Chase, you kind of watch him and just shake your head. Unfortunate that the call brought that one play back, it was really big for us, and I have dealt with the officials on that. First tripping call I've seen in thirty years of coaching."
Player Quotes
On taking care of the turnover issue...
"You got to take care of the ball, that's a basic fundamental. We've just got to get better at that. We have to practice harder and watch out for that because people want the ball just like our defense practices to do and we have to be aware of that."
On if the spread offense creates too many turnovers...
"Yes it does because we are attacking a lot of things, trying to make big plays. I mean it's a high risk; it's a high reward as well. It can go both ways."
On what needs to be improved...
"There's always room for improvement like route running, need to get stronger, and blocking. Just that everything can get better and I'm not doing my best right now."
On losing a big touchdown versus Texas...
"I was a little bit bummed to see the flag at first, but then I realized I had to get back out there and just keep making plays. If the ball doesn't come to me, then I got to make a block and try to spring something into action."
On being on the field the same time as Rucker...
"Yeah, we didn't have that in at the beginning. Now, we brought them out and started putting new plays in. I just think they wanted to get a bit of a new look out there and see what the defenses would do."
On the talents of his receivers...
"I think they all do the same things pretty well. It's hard to compare, they do what's asked of them and put themselves in the positions to make great plays and run their routes. Pretty much, when one guy falls off, the other one comes in."
On whether this is make or break for the season...
"I don't really know they're situation, I just know where we are at. I do know there will be a lot out there for us. The team can do it if we put it together and keep believing what we're doing and sticking with it. Every game is important, we just focus on everybody and do our best and we'll see after that. You got to focus on the game."
On if this weekend is make or break...
"I don't know if this is a make or break game because this is the Big 12 and anything can happen in this conference. I don't know about that, but I know we got to get out there and win. You know, they (OSU) probably feel the same way. I'm pretty sure they are getting ready to come after us."
On the evaluation of the defense so far...
"We really got to get things turned around and play Missouri defense. We have the talent, we have the coaching, and do what we need to do on defense and execute. We really got to get going the way we know how to play."