Missouri Coach Expects Another Close Game Against Kentucky

Ray Davis (Vicky Graff Photo)

Missouri coach Eli Drinwitz has a good idea what kind of game to expect at Kentucky Saturday night.

“Kentucky as well all know in the three previous games that I’ve played against them have all become a one possession game,” Drinkwitz said. “It’s always been a very physical contest.

“The team that seems to rush the ball better seems to be the team that is going to win the game.”

Missouri gave up almost 300 yards rushing in a loss to LSU last week. Now it has to face Ray Davis, the leading rusher in the Southeastern Conference.

But Kentucky coach Mark Stoops also has plenty of respect for Missouri (5-1). Here are some of the things Stoops said about the Tigers at his weekly press conference

On Brady Cook’s mobility at quarterback (he has thrown for 1,863 yards and 13 scores with just two interceptions), moving the pocket like Florida did with Graham Mertz…

Stoops: “Graham, as I mentioned in the game, did a really nice job of finding openings and moving within the pocket, and I think Brady does the same thing. They will intentionally give him some half-sprints (sprint outs) or rolls (rollouts) a little bit, but he does a nice job at just buying time. He likes sitting back there because he’s got some weapons. So, when he has time, he’s going to find one of those guys.”

On receiver Luther Burden, who has 54 catches for 793 yards and five scores in five games…

Stoops: “He’s an elite player. I think [he was] the number one wideout in the country coming out [of high school] if I’m not mistaken. He’s an elite guy — he’s strong, he can run, and make competitive catches. He can run by you but he’s also hard to get down.”

On Missouri’s defense…

Stoops: “It’s your typical Missouri defense. They run to the football, they play extremely hard, and that’s why it’s always a good game. I think both teams pride themselves on playing very hard and very physical. They run to the football, they’ve been very disruptive up front. So, they’ve been playing good. They played a very elite offense (LSU) this past week themselves.”

On the rivalry…

Stoops: “We have great respect for Missouri. I have already said it—maybe twice, this is for sure the second time (today)—how much respect I have for Missouri and how close our games always are. I know I show our team a couple—just about every year, especially when we go up there—how they were ready to prepare and whipped our butt one week and were very motivated. Again, the respect that I have for Eli. I know his teams. They play with an edge and an attitude. They are going to come in here physical and coached up and ready to play. We need to match that.”