Mizzou head coach Eli Drinkwitz entered this week’s edition of Tiger Talk with several areas in need of improvement as the Tigers prepare for their first SEC matchup of the season.
Drinkwitz gave much of the credit for the Troy victory to special teams, which helped turn the game around after the Tigers fell behind 10-0.
“Especially coming off the week before’s performance for them to come out and really be the difference in us winning the game,” Drinkwitz said.
Special teams helped flip field position
throughout the game. Punter Brunno Reus pinned Troy at its own 1-yard line, while a punt return touchdown by DaMarion Fowlkes and two turnovers helped the Tigers eventually score 24 unanswered points.
Drinkwitz also praised kicker Blake Craig for his performance.
“Blake having nerves of steel going out there, trusting his protection, putting it through the uprights,” Drinkwitz said.
Starting Faster
Despite the win, Drinkwitz acknowledged that Mizzou can’t afford to consistently start games slowly, especially in this conference.
“If we tolerate slow starts, that’s what we’re gonna get. When you walk into the weight room it says ‘start fast and finish strong,’” Drinkwitz said.
Drinkwitz also said Mizzou’s offensive line took a step forward against Troy. The group provided strong pass protection and helped create running lanes for Jamal Roberts, who averaged nearly six yards per carry.
“I thought those guys played about as well as you can play,” Drinkwitz said. “The protection was great all night. There were some good holes.”
He specifically pointed to Luke Work as having his best game in a Tiger uniform, while noting that the offensive line will face a significantly tougher test once SEC play begins.
A Challenge in Starkville
Drinkwitz’s attention is now firmly on Mississippi State, particularly Bulldogs quarterback Kamario Taylor and an offense he considers one of the most explosive in college football.
“My mindset right now is how we can stop Kamario Taylor on first, second, third down,” Drinkwitz said. “What in the world are we going to do on defense?”
It seems the overarching answer to that question will be limiting the big play that Troy struck on multiple times.
“If we don’t limit their explosive plays, we are going to be in trouble. I think they’re the most explosive team in college,” he said.
Defensive captain Nicholas Rodriguez echoed that concern, saying Mizzou expects Mississippi State to use wide splits while still looking to establish the run.
Mizzou is also preparing for the atmosphere in Starkville. Rodriguez said nearly every coach and football staff member had cowbells out at practice as the Tigers prepare for Bulldogs fans’ attempt to set a cowbell-related world record.
Building Mizzou’s Culture
Rodriguez and wide receiver Cayden Lee also joined the show, with Drinkwitz describing both players as “gatherers” who are looked up to throughout the team.
Rodriguez said the responsibility of being a captain is something he appreciates.
“It’s an opportunity that I’m blessed for, and I appreciate my teammates every day for it,” Rodriguez said.
Lee described Mizzou’s culture as “rare,” pointing to the interaction between players at different positions.
“Wide receivers are talking to defensive linemen, quarterbacks talking to kickers,” Lee said. “Everyone’s holding each other accountable.”
Both players also discussed their paths to Mizzou. Rodriguez said he realized he could play college football during his sophomore year at St. Thomas Aquinas in Florida, when he became a starter as an underclassman.
Lee credited his mother for taking him to camps around the country as a young player. He said college programs began showing interest in him as early as seventh grade.
Lee also praised wide receivers coach Jacob Peeler, calling him “very, very loud” while saying that energy has helped the group through early-morning practices. Peeler’s previous work developing receivers at Ole Miss, including DK Metcalf, also influenced Lee’s decision to join the Tigers.
Finding More Touches
Drinkwitz said Mizzou needs to find ways to get running back Xai’Shaun Edwards more involved offensively, while Edwards also needs to continue proving in practice that he deserves additional opportunities.
Freshman Preston Hatfield is another player Drinkwitz mentioned as capable of taking on more touches if necessary.
The Tigers will need that offensive production as they enter a conference schedule Drinkwitz described as particularly challenging.
“There are five ranked SEC matchups (this weekend); no other conference has two,” Drinkwitz said.
While the cowbells and atmosphere will add another layer to the inaugural SEC matchup, Drinkwitz joked that one potential Starkville attraction could make the trip memorable.
“If they bring out Will Ferrell, it’ll be well worth it,” Drinkwitz said.
