Eli Drinkwitz and Mike Kelly returned to Harpo’s Tuesday night for Tiger Talk ahead of Mizzou’s first road game of the 2025 season at Auburn.
Here’s what Drinkwitz, alongside edge rusher Damon Wilson and
left tackle Cayden Green, had to say:
Eli Drinkwitz
- On the physicality of the Alabama game: “We played a really physical football game, which is what you have to do in the SEC, and we were the aggressor most of the game. I thought we did a nice job.”
- On handling Jordan-Hare Stadium at night: “Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can never hurt you. And they’re going to throw some nasty words at us. We anticipate that, but they’re only nasty if you listen to them, right? So again, we’ve got to focus on the game between the lines, and that’s really going to be the key for us.”
- On the keys to facing Auburn’s defense in a road environment: “That’s going to come down to our physicality and being able to stay on the field on third downs, allow us to establish an offensive rhythm. We weren’t able to do that [against Alabama]. They’re a real challenge on third downs, just the multiplicity of scheme. So it’s going to be something that’s the back and forth of the game. The biggest thing on the road is, can you keep from self-inflicted wounds? Can you take care of the football? And do you not dig yourself holes?”
- Interestingly enough, Drinkwitz revealed that Mizzou tried to reach out to a few players that chose Auburn in the portal. By the time the staff reached out, Auburn’s NIL collective (On To Victory) had already sealed the deal. The players he mentioned were left tackle Xavier Chaplin, slot receiver Eric Singleton, Jr. and cornerback/kick returner Rayshawn Pleasant.
- On Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold: “There’s a lot more confidence in the way he plays. I think last year [at Oklahoma], you could tell there was a lack of confidence in what was surrounding him: a lack of confidence in the offensive line, lack of confidence in the scheme. You don’t see that; there’s a lot of confidence especially in the run game, he knows where he’s supposed to hit the hole. He’s on time on most of his throws; they do a really good job of protecting him and keeping him upright.”
- Though this one isn’t a Drinkwitz update, Mike Kelly said that there are roughly 300 tickets remaining for Mizzou’s game against Texas A&M. Selling the remaining tickets would make it 19 consecutive sellouts at Faurot Field.
- We also now know that defensive tackle Marquis Gracial’s nickname is ‘Big Grizzly.
- On Donovan Olugbode: “He’s made two incredible fourth down conversions for us, and obviously that was a big catch down the middle of the field on a one-on-one ball. He’s got great skills, good in and out of breaks. We’ve got to continue to push for him to get on the field more, because he is proven to get open and proven to be able to make contact catches.
- Drinkwitz mentioned that Damon Wilson is a big dog guy and has multiple dogs at home – then said that he would be a great ambassador for a dog food company, directly name dropping Diamond and Purina. Whatever it takes to help guys get that NIL money, I guess.
- On Wilson and Cayden Green: “There is nothing better than Tuesday’s practice with those two guys going against each other, because you’re watching two first round picks in the NFL Draft work on their craft. They’re going to play a long, long time, and I just hope Addison and I can go watch them. I don’t know if they’ll give me free tickets, but I’ll be willing to buy them to go watch them boys play.”
Damon Wilson
- On facing Green in practice: “I have to dig deep, knowing that I’ve got to go against high-level competition. It’s not just anybody, it’s Cayden Green, it’s a first rounder. Just knowing that I have to dig into my bag more, and I have to really focus going against him.”
- On what he studies about opposing offensive linemen: “Usually I look at how they kick: is it a 1-2-3 or a 1-2? And then I’m looking at where they shoot their hands and timing, and how they react to different stunts.”
- On what the team learns after a loss: “Just how you respond. Are we going to stay down, or are we going to get back up and fight for the next game? Because coach always says, there’s always more battles to fight, so you just can’t stay down – you’ve got to keep moving.”
- On the team’s culture: “It feels like an underdog culture, knowing that people kind of doubt us and don’t really believe in us. But we believe in us, and that’s really all that matters. A bunch of guys come together, I mean, we just work hard, and that’s one of the things: we’re always doing extra stuff.”
- On the impact of going on the service trip to Harmons, Jamaica: “I would have never thought we would have done something like that, but it was really a blessing. I got to meet a lot of different people. I’ve never walked around and prayed for people before; that was my first time actively touching somebody else and praying for their needs.”
- For anyone wondering, Wilson’s dog is a white Swiss shepherd named Kojo.
- Wilson said that after his football career, he wants to get into real estate and own a farm with some animals (he specifically mentioned pigs and goats). He also mentioned wanting to coach Pop Warner football.
- On what the defense needs to do Saturday: “We’ve got to stop the run. They’re 1-14 if they don’t rush for 150.”
Cayden Green
- On facing Wilson in practice: “It’s some work. I always tell my o-linemen, he’s got me figured out, so I’d be having to figure out some new ways and new techniques. So it’s some work.”
- On what he studies about opposing edge rushers: “I’m looking for their favorite two moves. Sunday night, I watch the pass rush tape, and I’m looking to see what their favorite two moves are. And I make it my mission not to get beat by those two moves. They beat me with anything else, I’ve got to tip my hat to them, but I don’t want to get beat by their favorite two moves.”
- On responding to adversity: “Last year’s football team was very gritty, very tough, and I see that same thing out of this football team. Setbacks happen, but it’s all about how you respond, and that’s what coach Drink always preaches.”
- On choosing Mizzou in the portal: “When I left here, I didn’t really feel the need to go anywhere else. Because I felt like all my boys are here, I know coach Drink, coach Jones, he was awesome. I felt like I found all I needed here. And my family, they can come to a game and go home the same day – you can’t beat that.”
- For anyone who remembers Oklahoma fans spamming Green’s father’s insurance business with negative reviews after he announced he was transferring, you’ll be happy to know that Green says his father’s business is doing better than ever.
- On how NIL has impacted him: “It’s been a blessing to me; I’ve been able to start a retirement plan. Shout out to [former Mizzou tight end] Chase Coffman, that’s my financial advisor.”
- On his ideal Tuesday: “I’d probably sit outside on my patio, smoke a cigar and just watch everybody walking by.”
- He said San Cristobals are his favorite cigars.
- Green said that after his football career, he wants to open up sports training facilities and use the degree he’s working toward in psychology to help athletes.
- On what the offense needs to do Saturday: “Pound that stone. We gotta run that ball, simple as that.”
