Nov. 13, 2006
Missouri Head Coach Gary Pinkel
Injury Update:
"[Martin] T. Rucker did not practice. We just had him do some work outs at practice on Saturday morning and Sunday. He did not do anything with the big toe sprain, and we expect him to be ready to go. If there was a game this past Saturday, we felt that he could have played as well. Time wise with the bye, we did not have to rush it, so that was good. William Moore did not practice Saturday or Sunday. He has a slight hamstring pull, but it's very slight and again, we expect him to be ready to go. Dominique Johnson has been ready to go this week, and it's been a long rehabilitation for him. He's worked hard and we're excited to see him back. [Trenile] Washington is not back, so he will not play [on Saturday]."
Opening Statement:
"Last week, our players lifted Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Tuesday and Thursday we had some workouts that lasted about forty-five minutes. Most of our coaches were on the road recruiting since last Sunday through Friday, so it really wasn't much of what you would call practice with only a couple of coaches out there just to make sure we were sweating a little bit. It was good because our players are excited about getting going again. We have some great opportunities here playing Iowa State. We certainly understand how big these last two games are and it comes down to starting with Iowa State. Hopefully, we can play our very best and we'll work hard to do that."
On getting Sophomore CB Dominique Johnson back in the mix:
"I'm not sure where he will end up right now. I'm sure we'll know more, specifically where he's at, by Thursday. We're talking about a guy who played last year and started this year, so it's just nice to get him back. For those who filled in: Del Howard and Hardy Ricks, who are redshirt freshmen, in that arena and that position, I think those kids did a great job. It's just really nice to get that experience back."
On Sophomore QB Chase Daniel bouncing back from consecutive losses:
"One thing you never want to change is [Chase's] competitiveness, and it will never. He's just such a great competitor. The reality of the BCS is that you're probably going to lose a couple games, and I think he understood that. Certainly, he's a player that expects to win, and that's good."
On an evaluation after 10 games:
"You know I have never done an evaluation with two games left in the season. We'll evaluate [the season] when it's over. There are a lot of great things that I'll be happy with. I think you always, when you go back, have disappointments, but there's not too many teams that don't have disappointments. We're fighters, and there's an awful lot to gain out there, and I think that's what we choose to do. We're certainly disappointed, without question, but our focus has been going since last Monday is to look at what we have accomplished, and we'll do everything we can to do that."
On how the excitement and enthusiasm remains from beginning to end:
"You have a goal for a championship, and when that's done, of course you're disappointed. These guys were very disappointed. That's real good, and I'm still excited about what this team can accomplish. You cannot cross that out and say there's not a lot out there. Hopefully, we can take care of our business."
Cornerback Domonique Johnson
On being out for five weeks with an injury
"Five weeks have been difficult, but you know, it's fine now that I'm back practicing and the chance to play is out there again. It's good not to be sitting here and it looking like I'm going to miss my third year in five years of playing football. It's going to be good."
Quarterback Chase Daniel
On doing what it takes to win a game
"We've got to do what we've got to do. Whatever it takes to win the ball game, no matter the play calls, no matter what the players are saying, what the coaches are saying, I think the players just need to go out there and play. The coaches want us to run plays, and we'll run them. They know exactly what plays they're calling and they know we can execute them, and we do too. So we've just got to go out there and do it."
On the tight end production and if they are being used to their potential
"I think so, you can't really go out there and say we're going to throw to the tight ends 50 times or something like that. They're covering them, they're doing a great job covering them sometimes, and sometimes they're not open on the first, second or even third read. Coaches are going to call plays to get first downs and move the chains. If Rucker and Chase are out there in the first and second position, then good for them. If not, we'll try to find them on scramble throws, try to use them on the goal line with their height and their size."
On having no chance at the Big 12 North title after Nebraska defeated Texas A&M
"We watched it, and it was a little bit heartbreaking, we did it to ourselves, we knew that this would happen to us if we didn't go and take care of business at Nebraska. It obviously would have helped us if A&M had won, but who knows, it might help us in the bowl picture. What we're focused on is Iowa State. It was a little bit discouraging, but when was the last time a Missouri team has won nine games, or 10 games even with the bowl game? That doesn't happen around here too often."
Defensive lineman Lorenzo Williams
On whether Iowa State losing their coach will affect the game
"I don't think it affects us, it's about how we play, what we do. They're going to do what they have to, but it doesn't really mean anything to us. I don't know, [last year] I think they [Kansas State] just played better than us for four quarters."