Nov. 7, 2005
Mizzou Media Day
Head Coach Gary Pinkel
November 7, 2005
Opening Statement:
"Good afternoon, having looked at a lot of video on Baylor, certainly we're playing a very good football team. I think they've defensively played excellent football, and offensively, they're doing very well too. He (Guy Morriss) has just done a great job building that football program, and certainly it will be a challenge for us. We got our video stuff done yesterday as we usually do on Sunday, and now were focused on this game, and we all know the importance and the magnitude of it."
On not worrying about outside distractions...
"I just think it's wise to do. I don't think you have to tell them anything. I think they know how important it is. We've talked about that, so you don't sit there and harp on it, what good is that going to you? I suggest they watch a little more video, and put their focus on the preparation, and it's always been that way and will always be that way. There isn't a guy on our football team who doesn't know what's out there, and hopefully we can start playing better than the last two weeks we haven't played very well as a football team, and I'm disappointed in that, but we're going to work real hard to play our best game this Saturday."
On reassessing some season goals...
"Well, we always set goals. The goals you want in your program is to be in the hunt for a championship in November. You want a program that goes to bowls every year. If you're doing those two things, then you are in line f what you are trying to get accomplished. We know that, and those are the goals that we have, and everybody understands what is out there. Everybody had a run for the division title, and obviously, the loss last week and now certainly there's some opportunities and can we take advantage of them? That's where were at."
On the Seniors preparation for their final home game...
"Well, it's been very emotional for all of those guys. They've put in an awful lot into this program, and for me, they are a real special group of guys. So, I can't say enough about them. Certainly, that's going to be a part of this game too, and again, we recognize that. Our whole football team does, and we talked about that, and still going out and playing well. Be focusing on your assignment; your job to do, but that certainly adds more to this football game."
On this being the senior's last game and not Brad Smith's last home game...
"You know, I am so team oriented, I don't know if I can even go there on that. I had some people ask me about that. I think one thing is how our fans deal with Brad. The great thing about Brad is that when he's around his teammates, he's just one of the guys, and he the most humble person I've ever been around. So, all the hoopla he gets and all the attention he gets, I think there's more respect between him and his teammates in the seniors. If it was up to Brad, he would thank them for that. He would say pass it out to everyone and not just give it to me. I think all his teammates recognize that. I think they actually joke around about stuff like that."
Missouri Media Day
Player Quotes
November 7, 2005
On whether there's a shadow of Brad Smith over the rest of the seniors...
"Well that's true, like you say it's about that time for us all, saying farewell and everything. We all understand this is a big game for the players as a team. It's the last home game and we are in a position were we can win these last two football games. Yeah, it's going to mean a lot to us all and everything. We all sort of feel that this is all of our game."
On playing less this year and how to handle that...
"Stay positive because being negative isn't going to help anything. My job, first and foremost, is a teammate to be there for my team, and if I'm negative or anything like that; it shows and that brings them down and hurt some other people in the same way with a negative attitude floating around. I just stay positive and keep working hard. I'm just doing part; doing whatever I can do."
On making it everybody's last home game and not just his...
"I don't know if you know how I am and see that I'm always with the guys. The guys are always talking to each other, encouraging each other. Just got to go out and play hard for them. Let them know, that they have an important part whether you are on scout team or a starting wide receiver. They play an important part to our team."
On any thoughts concerning his last four years here...
"Oh yeah, definitely, I think anybody does that. Whether they won all of them or not. As a competitor, you cannot keep thinking about wins and losses because there's nothing I can do about it now."
On if Baylor's offensive struggles is what the doctor ordered...
"I think they're a good opponent, and they've progressed as a team. They have played a lot better this year. They have a much better offense and a lot better defense this year. So, they're still a powered opponent.
On how much pressure there is...
"We'll do what we have to do, and we're not worried about Manhattan (Kansas State) right now. We are just worried about going against Baylor."
On getting the sixth win and a bowl berth...
"That's just a Sublette, that's a great thing to go for. But you know, it's still going back to the little things and doing it every play and everybody working together. It's all the simple things that are so hard. We always want to go to a bowl every year, so if we do that we feel pretty successful. Of course there's Big 12 Championship and the nationals, but whatever."
On what needs to be done after two losses...
"We need to move onto the Baylor game. That's our big focus right now. We have to learn from our mistakes, and you don't learn from mistakes if you just keep on making them. We got to learn from all of our mistakes and just keep going because we still have to play. This is a big game because it's the last home game. That should be everybody's focus to take it one game at a time. That's reality."