Missouri’s first setback of the season has sharpened the focus inside the program, and Eli Drinkwitz made it clear this week that the fix starts with the basics.
As the Tigers shift toward Florida, Drinkwitz kept circling back to the same breakdowns from the loss at Mississippi State: the sluggish opening, the missed chances and the inability to finish drives. Missouri had early opportunities against the Bulldogs, including a 10-play march that ended with a turnover on downs, but the Tigers didn’t turn those chances into points. Drinkwitz said offensive penalties were a big part of why several possessions stalled.
“There’s not a whole lot of changes to be made about it,” he said. “But it’s something that you get what you emphasize.
You encourage what you tolerate. You can’t tolerate those starts anymore.”
That message will matter against a Florida team Drinkwitz described as dangerous in all three phases and fueled by first-year coach Jon Sumrall. He also pointed to Florida running back Jadan Baugh as a major challenge, especially for a Missouri defense that had trouble bringing ball carriers down last week. Baugh, Drinkwitz said, is a downhill, physical runner who can do damage in multiple ways.
“We’ve got to do a better job getting guys on the ground,” Drinkwitz said.
Missouri’s injury situation adds another layer. Drinkwitz said Darris Smith and Langden Kitchen are both questionable, though each is listed as a starter on this week’s depth chart. Defensive lineman Marquis Gracial said the Tigers have work to do regardless, especially if two starting pass rushers are limited.
“I don’t think we’re bad,” Gracial said. “I just think we got stuff that we got to work on, like tackling and things like that.”
The Gators will bring their own problems for Missouri to sort out, particularly up front. Offensive lineman Dom Giudice said the Tigers spent the week getting ready for the fronts and formations Florida can throw at them.
“They have a really good front,” Giudice said. “We’re excited to take on this challenge.”
Drinkwitz also pushed back against the idea that one loss changes the bigger picture. He said Missouri did show fight through the middle stretches against Mississippi State, even if the start and finish were uneven.
“In this day and age, everybody wants to be really quick to write people off and write chapters of a story or finality,” Drinkwitz said. “But seasons are long seasons.”
There are signs of growth on defense, even if the unit has yet to put it all together. Gracial pointed to Donta Simpson and Jason Dowell for their progress and production inside, while Elijah Dotson highlighted cornerback Jahlil Florence’s playmaking.
Special teams has been a steady source of help. Drinkwitz singled out punter Brunno Reus, saying his ability to pin opponents deep has been especially valuable when Missouri has gotten off to slow starts.
“In the two games that we’ve been slow, his punts inside the five have really been what sparked us,” Drinkwitz said.
How Missouri responds against Florida will tell a lot about where this season is headed.
In Other News...
Mizzou's Pass Rush Suddenly Looks Like A Major Florida Concern
Missouris defensive front took on a different look last week, and now the Tigers have to wait to see whether it changes again before Florida comes to Columbia on Saturday. Eli Drinkwitz said starting edge rushers Darris Smith and Langden Kitchen are questionable for homecoming, with Smith dealing with a lower-leg injury from a previous game and Kitchen leaving early last time out because of a lower-body issue. In their absence, sophomore Daeden Hopkins has handled more of the edge-rushing load, giving Missouri at least one answer if the depth chart stays in flux.
The timing matters because this is the sort of spot where the Tigers usually need their pass rush at full strength, especially at Memorial Stadium against an SEC opponent that will spend the week preparing for pressure off the edge. Missouri now has a short runway to get healthy, and the next practice stretch will go a long way toward clarifying how much of that original rotation is available when Florida arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Mizzou Fans Are Debating Eli Drinkwitzs Biggest Late-Game Decision
Late in Missouris loss at Mississippi State, a spot on fourth-and-1 became the kind of call that lingers long after the final whistle. The Bulldogs were given the first down, and Eli Drinkwitz let the play stand after hearing it had already been cleared in the booth, choosing to preserve his timeouts instead of throwing the flag.
The decision became a flash point because the sequence soon swung the game for good, with Mississippi State tying things at 24-24 before pulling away for a 31-24 win. For Missouri, it was a frustrating SEC opener that dropped the Tigers to 3-1 overall and left fans wondering whether the late-game gamble should have gone the other way. [Read more 🡒]
Florida Faces A Huge Road Test With National Respect On The Line
Florida arrives in Columbia with real momentum, still unbeaten and sitting at No. 8, and the Gators have earned that respect by pairing an efficient offense with enough balance to handle most opponents. Jadan Baugh has been a big part of that start, giving Florida the kind of run game that can travel, while the Gators numbers on that side of the ball suggest this is more than just a fast start.
Missouri, meanwhile, is trying to steady itself after taking its first loss of the season and will need a cleaner showing on offense to keep pace. The Tigers have had trouble generating much on the ground, which makes the matchup more complicated against a Florida defense that has shown some vulnerability there, setting up a game that could say plenty about where both teams really stand. [Read more 🡒]