Spring Game Quotes
Head Coach Barry Odom
Opening Statement:
"Good for all involved. Pretty certain we came away without an injury, which is nice. There were times, offensively, when we got started we looked and did what we wanted to do. Didn't start very well defensively, but also I know where we're at defensively and I know where we're at offensively. I like the progress this team has made for 15 days. We'll take this; we'll take the entire body of work through spring practice. The process of 15 days of meetings and we'll continue to build and teach on that and to try to get the right 11 guys in the right spots; offense, defense and kicking. We have three weeks here that are so important to continue the development of the program before finals start, then our guys will get away a bit. And then we get started again with the summer development program. Before we know it, it will be September 2nd. I like the senior leadership; I like the opportunity for those guys to continue to put their stamp on who they're going to be. We have made a lot of progress in 15 practices, so we will look at the tape and take it for what it's worth. Evaluate it from some individual performances and move on from there."
On Damarea Crockett, Ish Witter and Cam Hilton not playing the spring game:
"Both [Crockett and Witter] practiced pretty well the last couple of days. If we were playing a game they would have played, but no need to get them out there today. Hilton didn't practice the last couple of days, he was out there for practice but we looked at him for his shoulder so we didn't dress him today. Just like what Anthony Sherrils went through, we didn't play him in the second half."
On the two backup quarterbacks' performance today:
"We haven't looked at the tape yet, but I thought they did some good things. We have an opportunity there to continue to develop those guys this summer. We'll be training those guys and if they can get in a million reps from now till when we get started in August, I expect them to do well."
On how this spring game was different from last year's:
"A lot like this spring, a little more in control of what was going on. I had a comfort level and I knew what we had done for the last 15 days so I felt pretty good about where our team is at this point. We have a long ways to go so don't confuse that with we don't need to work. We have miles to go, but also I like the way they performed this spring and we got done today what I wanted to get done."
Offensive Coordinator Josh Heupel
On overall thoughts about the game:
"I like what we did on the day. I thought at times we were able to run the football. Obviously you get a lot better feel on the individual things as you go back and watch tape. I think the quarterbacks did a good job of managing although at the end I didn't like some of the decision making. All in all, I think it was a good day for them to come out and learn from the experience and hopefully it will propel their urgency through June and July."
On developments during spring ball:
"They get the fifteen experiences. They have to go through some decision making at the quarterback position in particular. For a young quarterback like Micah, it's the first time he has had the opportunity to really run an offense, go against live bodies and play in front of a crowd. I think you can give them a sense of where they are truly at and that gives them urgency for what they have to do in June and July. I think that is why there is so much growth that happens from spring ball to when we come back in August."
On Dawson Downing:
"He was the first one to get a crack because he has had a great spring. He has really competed at a high level. He has had great efficiency in the run game and is always falling forward. He is a 225-pound back that is physical but has enough looseness to do well."
On difference from last spring to this spring:
"You are a year into the system so your kids have a base knowledge of what you are doing. We are able to fine tune and really take them to the next level and their understanding of what we are doing. A year ago we were just trying to teach guys the play, now we are trying to teach them how to play the play verses all the multiple looks that they are seeing. The best thing about being in year two is that our kids understand the expectations and are on the same page as us. They are pushing for the same things that we are and are now starting to demand that of themselves."
Mizzou Players
Junior QB Drew Lock
On his thoughts on how the spring season went:
"You know, it went alright. I wasn't proud of my play, but I think we all looked ok. You got to see all the work we put in during the spring come out today. I am super proud of the spring we had. Bottom line, that is what we came out to do. It wasn't necessarily to cap it off good, it's about all the days we put into it that really matters."
On being one of the veterans:
"You get a ton of confidence from being the older guy. You come out here, and you know you're going to see things that you have seen before. It makes everything easier for you."
On sophomore RB Dawson Downing:
"Dawson Downing came out and showed what he has been doing all spring for us. I am super proud of him, as we're both Kansas City boys. I couldn't have asked more of him, and I know the guys would back me up when I say that he has definitely earned a spot on our roster."
Freshman RB Isaiah Miller
On how he felt about game:
"I felt like I did well, but I could have done better. There are some things I still need to work on, but I think I did pretty well."
On transition to Mizzou:
"When I came in everybody welcomed me. I was able to adjust to this offense pretty quickly because I ran this in high school, but it has been really good."
On getting some plays today:
"It was awesome, just getting into the game and getting opportunities. I am supposed to be in high school right now, so just to get these repetitions felt great today."
What made you choose Mizzou over other options:
"I just loved it when I came here on my official visit. I just loved the place and I was able to bond well with the coaches. I then just talked to my family and decided from there."
Junior OL Paul Adams
On how the tide turned more toward the defense as the game went on:
"As the game got along, I thought it started getting more even. It's good seeing the defense have the success that they did, but there's always the competitor in you, so at the same time we want to go as fast as we can."
On Ploudre and Dubinski's play:
"I think Ploudre is obviously one of our stronger offensive linemen. He's picked up a leadership role he hasn't had before, and I think he's doing a great job. Dubinski is probably one of the smartest guys on offense, and he knows exactly what he's supposed to do."
On bringing everyone back on the offensive line this year:
"It means a lot to us. With the chemistry on the field and off the field, we've been able to click so easy now. It's great."
On Downing:
"For me, I've been seeing that all spring. It's good the fans can finally see it. He's been doing it the entire spring. It's nothing really new to us. It's just new to everyone else."
On Lowary:
"He's a very good quarterback. He's behind Lock right now, but he's a smart guy. Those two passes were some nice passes. It was very nice to see that as well."
On McCann's kicking:
"I know once we pass the 40 yard line, we know we'll be fine. I think that seeing that 47 yard kick was almost a sigh of relief for everyone and the fans. We've seen him improve so much all spring, and it's good because of what happened last year. He got a lot from it, and he's bounced back."
Junior S Kaleb Prewett
On being able to play:
"[It felt] so much better, last year I had to come out here and just watch. It was the first time since I was five years old that I had to sit out a season of football, so it feels really good to be back out there."
On solidifying the starting spot:
"Over spring ball, I feel like I went out there and worked as hard as I could. [I] was trying to show the coaches what I could do. I feel like I could do that."
On the offense:
"Well first off, they are a heck of an offense led by a heck of a quarterback. They just have a bunch of weapons. Honestly, we didn't come out ready and they came out ready to go and they exposed us. I feel like eventually we started to click and got our stuff together and we shut that down."
Junior WR Emanuel Hall
On his deep ball chemistry with quarterback Jack Lowary:
"All spring me and Jack were throwing together. I think our timing is a lot better. You just keep making plays and getting more confidence in each other and it just comes naturally."
On the skillsets of the different Mizzou quarterbacks:
"I think all of our quarterbacks are really good. They all have a different skillset. I think Micah [Wilson] is a really fast guy who has a good arm and Jack is a really good pocket passer, and Drew, you know how he is. He's a good pocket passer with a hell of an arm. So, I think we have a lot of weapons that we can use."
On scoring a touchdown on the very next play after the previous touchdown attempt was incomplete at the last second:
"It's really good to know that we have guys... if one guy goes down and misses a play that the next guy steps up. I think for the quarterback to throw two good passes like that is really impressive. So, I'm excited about that."
On how he felt the offense played today:
"I think the offense played really well. We put up a lot of points, different quarterbacks scored, we had a lot of good running backs. I think everybody executed, everybody knew what they were doing."
On where the offense is this spring game in comparison to last year's spring game:
"I think confidence is the biggest thing when it comes to anything - defense or offense. So, I think we've gotten a lot better."
On the atmosphere of the spring game and playing in front of the fans:
"It was really exciting, a great atmosphere. I love having the fans out here. It definitely changes the way you practice and changes the way you play. I think the offense is coming along well, and I'm just really excited about that first game and getting out, and hopefully we perform well."
