#SEMOvsMIZZ Game Quotes
9/5/2015 8:02:00 PM | Football
Mizzou Head Coach Gary Pinkel
Opening Statement:
"Well every win is a great win, so our players are excited. They guys are excited about it. I certainly understand there are a lot of things we need to improve on, which we knew that would be the case. We had a lot of young players on that field –inexperienced players. They got some good work today so that is very positive. I just thought overall it was a good win and we have to get back to work."
About the injured players, Russell Hansbrough and Evan Boehm:
"Their ankles, the middle of your offense; center, quarterback, tailback. Those are the spots that are obviously so critical to success and we have a shot with two of those guys. Hopefully we will get them back, we don't know when. Evan came in and played the first half and we got him out. But that is also the sense of urgency to get people ready to play."
Was that precautionary to get him out?
"Evan? He played the first half sore, he was limping around a little bit. We thought it would be wise to get him out. Russell, you saw all his running. That's a huge loss for us because I think Russell is a very high-level player. The things we have seen in practice… We are excited about getting him back and getting players ready to play."
On how the running game performed following Hansbrough:
"It was interesting because I believe in the 6 series we had the second half I think 4 of them were in the 10-yard line, which is very limited what you're going to do down there. Especially with how the score is and how your defense is planning to take off are things to take in to consideration. Two times we were inside the 20. So there are 6 times we were in very good field position, its kind of hard to evaluate that. At times we need to block better and times we need to run better. When Morgan (Stewart) was out there he did some really good things. Not back yet 100 percent"
On the receiving:
"I saw a lot of good things. We have got to be very positive with those guys, and that's what we are going to be. That is the upside, they are very talented athletes. That's good. But, there are a lot of mistakes out there and we have to do something's offensively as a staff to minimize those adjustments. That might help a little bit too. We are going to weigh all those things. I think a lot of those guys are scared to death as competitors. First time playing here. First time getting out there. I think that they responded well and will gain some confidence from it but there are certain things we need to improve."
Mizzou LB Kentrell Brothers
On the defense's performance:
"The defensive line did a great job. They did a great job taking up most of the double teams to help the linebackers. I just took advantage of the situation and tried to get in on as many tackles as I could."
On his 16 tackles:
"I studied a lot of film. We knew what to expect from them. Everybody was in their gap and did a good job when they did get loose. I think we did a great job overall for our first game."
On how the defense can improve for next week:
"I know a lot of teams are going to look and see that we allowed the quarterback to run a lot so we need to make sure that we have our back-side gaps covered. Closing those gaps is really important in the running game. We just need to keep looking for those key mistakes in our game and correct them."
Mizzou quarterback Maty Mauk
On the season-opening victory:
"I think we played really well early and then got a little sluggish there in the middle of the game but we came out and we finished. Drew came in there and threw a touchdown pass that sealed it. I think we played pretty well and we just need to keep getting better day-by-day."
On the play of his young receivers:
"I think they played really well. They all made some tough catches and took some hits but the biggest thing is they got up and moved to the next play. They all just kept going."
On getting the first game out of the way:
"We're 1-0, that's all that matters."
Mizzou QB Drew Lock
On his debut at Faurot Field:
"I was just excited to finally be out on the field instead of just sitting in the stands watching. It was probably one of the better experiences of my life without a doubt and I'm excited for next week. I could have scored a touchdown on my first drive but I'll take the one touchdown for my first game."
On playing right away as a true freshman:
"I came into fall camp wanting to put myself in the best position possible. I truly felt that I could play at this level early. They put me out there to see what I could do today and I feel like I showed that I could do some things. There's a lot of work to be done still and I'm learning."
Mizzou CB Aarion Penton
On his touchdown off the blocked punt:
"It was a great play. I want to give full credit to Kentrell Brothers. Our number one defense was in and we just sent the house. They kept faking when they brought their offense out [on fourth down] and we made a block. I just got under it and made a play."
On taking over as the punt returner this season:
"I have big shoes to fill. Marcus Murphy was a great big brother and I learned a lot from him. I'm just trying to be a playmaker for the team and put the offense in good field position."
On the defense's performance overall:
"We did a great job. We just need to focus one week and one game at a time. We need to continue to give the effort that we gave tonight and just keep it up each game and each week."
SEMO Head Coach Tom Matukewicz
On why offense was stuck in a lot of 3rd-and-longs:
"Well, it's just hard. We have two brand new tackles that have never blocked anyone, and they were trying to block first-rounders. We also have a brand new QB. But we are definitely going to work to get a lot better."
On the targeting penalty:
"It was embarrassing, and it cost us. We are going to coach him up. It's not like he made a conscious decision, but we pride ourselves on teaching our kids about a lower target zone. We put tape on our dummies at practice to make sure they get used to the lower target zone. It was a great opportunity for our team to learn."
On his overall takeaways:
"I just want our guys to understand what it takes to win. First thing you have to learn is how to not beat yourself. Some of the things that we can control, like penalties and the blocked kick, we have to learn to control. We are a good football team, and we have to start acting like it."
SEMO Wide-Reciever Paul McRoberts
On how the team stood up against a ranked Mizzou team:
"I think the team was ready to play and feel like we did a great job. They expected to blow us out, but we maintained and handled our business. We really have to capitalize on momentum as an offense, and help our defense out a little more. Our defense did a great job today."
McRoberts on how special today was as a St. Louis native:
"It was special. Winning a state championship in the gym across the street, and just being back on this campus again brought back a lot of memories. I was excited not only because my friends and family showed up, but also because everyone's did. It was big, because all we want is that support and love."
Running-Back DeMichael Jackson:
Jackson on the hit he took in the backfield:
"The knee still hurts, which you would expect after a hit like that. I mean I just have to rehab it and get it right."
Jackson on what he saw from the offense:
"We have to take chances. When we have momentum, there is nothing wrong with throwing a deep ball to Paul and Adrian, who I think are the best two receivers in college football. We have to find ways to get them the ball in space and let them do what they do."
