Dec. 27, 2005

Shreveport, La. -

The University of Missouri Tigers continued their preparation for the 2005 Independence Bowl today with a Tuesday morning practice that lasted over two hours.  Head Coach Gary Pinkel's Tigers practiced again at Independence Stadium, the site of Friday afternoon's game against South Carolina, taking the field in helmets and shells.

 

The weather was once again superb, as the temperature hovered around 70 degrees, with sunny skies and a stiff southerly breeze.  Weather reports for Shreveport the remainder of the week are favorable, with game day forecasts calling for much of the same as today.

 

Following practice today, the players were given another bowl gift from the Independence Bowl, a mini commemorative helmet that is one-half Mizzou, and one-half South Carolina.  See below for a full listing of the bowl gifts that the team has or will receive this year.

 

The Tigers had the afternoon off, and were scheduled to attend a bowl function tonight, as the official team welcome party will take place at the local convention center.  A big buffet meal will be served, featuring Cajun and southwest delicacies, and entertainment will be provided by a hypnotist.  The team will have some free time after the evening's event, prior to meetings and bedcheck.

 

Wednesday will see the team make a visit to Barksdale Air Force Base, followed by an afternoon practice.  The players will have a free night Wednesday, with the only official function being the Chariman's VIP Party at the University Club, for coaches and staff members and their spouses.  Many people in the MU travel party will also be going to the local Buffalo Wild Wings to catch the Mizzou men's basketball game Wednesday night in Columbia against Eastern Illinois.

 

NOTES

 

• The Tigers get quite a bounty of gifts for making their appearance in the Independence Bowl.  The bowl gifts this year include:  A Fossil watch, a deluxe leather carry bag, a customized baseball hat, a microfiber pullover, a cotton twill button-down dress shirt, a disposable camera, a leather luggage tag, a custom bowl blanket, the aforementioned mini-helmet, a commemorative game ball, and a Swiss Army backpack.  Those gifts come from the Independence Bowl, and as mentioned yesterday, are in addition to the bowl ring and the $220 gift card to Circuit City provided by Mizzou.

HEAD COACH Gary Pinkel QUOTES
On Tuesday's practice:
"This is our Wednesday practice. This is what we do normally on a Wednesday before a game. We wanted to get a normal game week preparation. We had good work. We've just locked right into our game week. For a Wednesday practice, we're doing all the right things."

On wanting the players enjoy the bowl experience:
"We want them to have a good time. They just have to focus up as the game gets closer. And they're looking forward to that too.

On what impresses him with the South Carolina offense:
"The accuracy of the quarterback (is impressive). He doesn't take sacks. He gets set and he throws and is hard to get to. The versatility of their offense is such that it is just a well-run pro offense. Obviously it can present problems to us and hopefully we can do our best to contain it."

On the South Carolina defense:
"I'm sure we'll see a combination of everything. I'm sure we'll see a mixture of things. They're multiple in the attack they present and we'll certainly see some of those things."