Dec. 26, 2005
Shreveport, La. -
The Mizzou Tiger football team conducted the first of three practices today in Shreveport, La., as they continue preparations for the 2005 Independence Bowl, to be played here Friday at 2:30 p.m.
Head Coach Gary Pinkel put his team through a 2 1/2-hour morning workout today at Independence Stadium. The Tigers donned full pads for the last time this season, and practiced in ideal weather conditions, with the temperature hovering in the 70s and a brightly sunny sky.
Today's practice was open to the media for the first hour, and several local television stations came out, as well as the local newspaper. Those in attendance got to see the first portion of practice, and then conducted interviews with Coach Pinkel and requested players after the practice was over.
The Tigers arrived in Shreveport yesterday afternoon, around 4 p.m., as approximately 60 members of the team, and the accompanying team party, flew from Columbia via charter airplane. The remainder of the team (comprised mostly of out-of-state residents) got to Shreveport on their own.
The team had an orientation meeting Sunday following a huge Christmas evening buffet dinner that featured traditional holiday fare, as well as some Cajun-style samplings. The schedule for Monday is pretty light for the team, as they will venture to the Boardwalk shopping and entertainment district for a team event at Buffalo Wild Wings. After that, the Tiger players will have free time, until evening meetings and bedcheck. Practice Tuesday is scheduled for 10:45 a.m.
Here are a few notes and news updates concerning the Tigers...
- Senior CB Marcus King rejoined the team today, as he has been certified to play in Friday's game. King drove in from his hometown of Dallas, and got onto the field during stretching routines, and he participated in the full practice...
- Following Monday's practice, the Tigers conducted their "Futures Bowl," which is a short scrimmage featuring the players who were either in their first year in the program, or those who redshirted or did not play this season. Around 12 plays were held, with the veterans watching and hooting and hollering from the sidelines. Several big plays were made, which drew big noise from the veterans, including a nice TD catch by freshman TE Jon Gissinger (on a halfback pass from TB Kevin Duncan), a big hit by DB Hardy Ricks and a 40-yard field goal by PK Trace Teas...
- Seven Tiger players, along with Head Coach Gary Pinkel, made a visit to the Hal Sutton Children's Hospital this afternoon, to spread good cheer to a handful of youngsters. Making the visit were senior co-captains Brad Smith, Tony Palmer, Derrick Ming and Calvin Washington, along with fellow seniors A.J. Kincade, Arnold Britt, and junior Brad Ekwerekwu...
- Most of the team got a nice holiday treat, as they received one of their team gifts for participating in the bowl game - a gift card to Circuit City for $220. Director of Equipment Operations Don Barnes, and Director of Football Recruiting Barry Odom handed out the cards today to each of the guys after practice, and many of them planned an afternoon outing to the local Circuit City outlet for some shopping. The gift card supplements the team's planned bowl ring, which will make up the remainder of the $350 that the team is allowed to give (in gift value) to each player, per NCAA rules. Each bowl game is allowed to give each player gifts in value up to $500, in addition to the school allotment...
- A full slate of radio shows is on tap for Monday evening, as the Mike Alden Show will take place live from the lobby of the team hotel in Shreveport, at 6 p.m., with Mike Kelly, the Voice of the Tigers, along side for one hour. From 7-8 p.m., Mizzou Basketball Coach Quin Snyder will visit with Gary Link from Harpo's in Columbia for the weekly Tiger Talk show, and then Gary Pinkel will join Mike Kelly for a special one-hour radio show in Shreveport, running from 8-9 p.m...
- Prior to the Christmas break, Mizzou had sold around 2,500 tickets to the bowl game. Additionally, the school is working with Shreveport charitable organizations, and other local groups, to give out thousands of tickets to people. As of Monday morning, as many as 3,500 tickets were scheduled to be given to various groups that benefit those in need. Over 1,000 tickets were also scheduled to be given to service men and women at Barksdale Air Force Base, where the team is visiting Wednesday morning...
- Be sure to stay tuned to mutigers.com for more reports on the Tigers...
MIZZOU QUOTES
HEAD COACH Gary Pinkel
On Monday's practice
"We practiced hard, I thought we had a good one today. Now, we need to go and do it again tomorrow and the next day."
On the last few days having QB Brad Smith in the program
"I'm very close to Brad and all our seniors, it's their last shot, so there's no question that this means a lot. You can't get too wrapped up in that though, it's more important that we prepare very well, and to give ourselves a chance to win. You don't have a chance to win unless you play your best game, and that's what we're trying to get done."
QB Brad Smith
On the team's practice today
"I thought offensively, we were very focused today, we had guys out there making plays and really focused on their jobs. I was proud of our team for how we worked today, now we just have to go out and get better in the next couple of days."
On South Carolina's Defense
"They are very sound, they have great athletes on the defensive line and in the secondary. They don't seem to get out of position much, so it's going to come down to execution."
On the leadership he is trying to show one last time
"I just try to lead by example, that's the only way I know how. I'm trying to come out and play fast, make great decisions, and be focused. The best way to lead guys is to show them that you're focused, and get them to jump on your back."
On today's practice
"We did well today. Everyone came out pretty sharp I thought, and usually when you have a few days off, you're a little sluggish, but I didn't see that."
On whether Mizzou has an advantage from having been here two years ago
"It is a little easier for us this time, it kind of feels like a home game since we've been here before. I don't know if it gives us any advantage or not, but it definitely feels comfortable."
On South Carolina's defense
"They seem pretty fast, their linebackers are kind of little, but they're really fast. We hope to get them out of position at times and take advantage of their speed to use it against them. They're very sound though, so that will definitely be a challenge for us."
On his joining the starting lineup for this game
"I just want to step up and help the team. Not only physically, but also with the leadership that I can add to out there on the field."
On South Carolina's offense
"South Carolina, from watching film, they have some great players, some great athletes who have nice moves. They look real good."
On the adversity the team has endured through the season
"You can't ever have your head down, if you lose somebody today or tomorrow, you just have to go out there and fight and prepare and get the job done with what you have."