Mizzou head coach Eli Drinkwitz knows the Tigers will need more than momentum from their 27-6 victory over Texas A&M to leave Oxford with another SEC win.
“We need to play our best, most complete game to even be in the game,” Drinkwitz said during Mizzou’s midweek press conference ahead of Saturday’s matchup against No. 9 Ole Miss.
The Tigers (5-1, 2-1 SEC) head to Mississippi following a dominant defensive performance against the Aggies, holding Texas A&M to six points in a victory that helped Mizzou
showcase it wasn’t a one-hit wonder. Now, the Tigers face another ranked opponent on the road, with the Rebels coming off a 52-17 victory over Vanderbilt.
Drinkwitz acknowledged the attention surrounding the return of former Ole Miss players Cayden Lee, Austin Simmons and Chris Graves Jr., but emphasized that the matchup will ultimately depend on the entire team.
Green, who has been working through an injury, expressed confidence in his ability to contribute against the Rebels.
“If I’m 50% (healthy), that’s good enough for me, so I’ll be out there,” Green said.
The experienced offensive lineman also discussed the value of having a veteran group up front. Green said the different perspectives within the unit help teammates recognize things they might otherwise miss.
“We get to provide a lot of different perspectives on things,” Green said. “Like Luke (Work) giving me perspectives on things that I wouldn’t really see. Dom (Diudice), obviously, I think he’s the oldest in the group, so that experience from him at the center position, he always has us in the right position in the right spot.”
Green also reflected on Drinkwitz comparing his toughness to former Mizzou quarterback Brady Cook following the Texas A&M win.
“Getting compared to a guy like Brady and playing with him and seeing it in person is really cool to me,” Green said. “He was definitely the toughest guy that I’ve ever seen since I’ve been here. So that’s high praise from coach.”
Defense Looks to Ride Momentum
Mizzou’s defensive front played a major role in limiting Texas A&M’s offense, and defensive lineman Donta Simpson credited the coaching staff and the group’s technique for creating pressure despite frequently rushing with three-man fronts.
“Me and Daeden Hopkins, we just do a good job of collapsing the pocket,” Simpson said. “That started with our coaches, coach Early, coach Chop (Lavorn Harbin), coach Batoon. They teach us how to rush with vision to get all the quarterbacks that we go against on the ground.”
Simpson also credited the coaching and strength and conditioning staffs for helping him return to the field after a limited offseason.
“It’s just the coaches taking good care of me and making sure I’m coming back fast,” Simpson said. “Our strength and conditioning coach did a really good job with bringing me back in, working me out and that’s been doing a good job for me.”
The Tigers will need that defensive pressure against Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who presents a different challenge because of his ability to extend plays and deliver the ball quickly.
“He sees the field really well. Throws with anticipation. All those things are hallmarks of a good quarterback,” Drinkwitz said.
Chambliss threw for 213 yards and three touchdowns against Vanderbilt while adding a rushing touchdown, highlighting the versatility Mizzou must account for Saturday.
Drinkwitz also declined to offer a definitive update on running back Ahmad Hardy, who is endlessly the subject of speculation surrounding his availability.
“I will tell y’all when there’s an update … contrary to what’s on the cesspool of message boards,” Drinkwitz said with a laugh, adding that he would announce it himself when Hardy practices.
Roberts Reflects on Lacy and Mizzou’s Running Back Room
The matchup also carries a personal connection for Jamal Roberts, who discussed his relationship with former teammate Kewan Lacy and the lessons he tried to pass along when Lacy arrived at Mizzou as a freshman.
Roberts said he took Lacy under his wing, helping him adjust to the running back room and learn the details of the position.
“He’s a very talented running back, a very talented kid, love the guy,” Roberts said. “We still communicate to this day. He’s a very funny guy. He liked to compete a lot. So I mean, there’ll be a lot of competing on the field Saturday with me.”
Roberts also credited running backs coach Curtis Luper with allowing the room to develop through competition and collaboration.
“Just sharpening each other’s iron. Just picking from each other’s brains,” Roberts said. “Helping each other out in fields that we lack in.”
Roberts said Luper often lets the players work through challenges together before stepping in with instruction when necessary.
As Mizzou prepares for one of its toughest road tests of the season, the Tigers will look to build on their defensive performance against Texas A&M while getting healthy contributors back into the lineup.
For Drinkwitz, however, the focus remains on the collective effort required to compete with Ole Miss.
The Tigers created an opportunity for themselves with last week’s win. Now, they will try to turn that momentum into another statement victory in the SEC.
