Dec. 4, 2005

University of Missouri Bowl Press Conference

Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005

 

Independence Bowl: Friday, Dec. 30, 2005 Missouri vs. South Carolina 2:30 p.m. (CST)

 

Associate Athletic Director for Administration Ed Stewart:

"This is a great opportunity.  We will be matching up with the University of South Carolina from the Southeast Conference and that game of course will be played on Dec. 30, at 2: 30 p.m. (CST) in Shreveport, La.  Tickets will go on sale tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. (CST) and fans can check on www.mutigers.com or call 1-800-CAT-PAWS. 

 

There is a fan information line that we think is important for our fans to jump on early and hopefully secure hotel arrangements and other opportunities in Shreveport.  1-800-524-0704. The alumni association will also be putting together a tour package.

 

This is just an exciting opportunity for our program, and for our kids, and for Coach Pinkel.  We are definitely excited to make a return trip to Shreveport. Our trip down there in 2003 was a great experience they were a very hospitable group of people and we're just excited to be a part of the bowl game experience again."

 

Head Football Coach Gary Pinkel

We're certainly excited about this opportunity.  There's been so many rumors the last couple of weeks (that) we weren't sure what was going to happen.  We had a great experience in the Independence Bowl a couple of years ago.  Obviously we came up short against Arkansas.  We're excited to go down again and have another opportunity against a very good South Carolina team.  Our players are really looking forward to playing such a high caliber team.  This is our second bowl in three years.  This is one of our goals that we have every year in our program.  On a consistent basis we want to go to bowls.  Hopefully this is one of many in a row that we will attend.  We practiced yesterday morning.  It was our first practice that we had.  We had to balance this out between recruiting and our coaches came back into town.  We had practice yesterday morning and it went well.  We haven't had practice in a while.  We did work out a little bit during the week so that's helped us.  Our players have a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of excitement and now we have to balance that between getting more work done over the next two weeks.  We'll have a schedule coming out shortly specifically when our practices are going to be we have to work around finals.  We're honored and very excited about this invitation to play in the Independence Bowl and we're looking forward to the opportunity. 

 

Missouri Safety Jason Simpson:

On playing South Carolina and Coach Steve Spurrier

"It's a great honor to play against someone like that.  He's a great coach and has a ton of career wins.  But he's not playing, we have to beat the other 22 guys on the field."

 

Missouri Offensive Lineman Tony Palmer

On the importance of getting a win in Shreveport

 "It's important to win this one.  We went there last time and it was a great experience.  But leaving there with a loss left a sour taste in our mouth.  So we definitely want to come out of there with a W."

 

Missouri Quarterback Brad Smith

On the experience of the playing in the Independence Bowl two years ago will help

"I think the awe is kind of gone.  The last time we went to the bowl, people were just excited to go, but this year our plan is to go and win.  This is another opportunity for me to play for Missouri.  I'm going to have fun doing it and give my best effort."