Missouri HC Eli Drinkwitz After 27-24 Loss to Alabama on Saturday

After Alabama's three-point road victory over Missouri on Saturday, Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz addressed the media regarding the loss, emphasizing his team's failure to convert in crucial moments.

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Drinkwitz began his press conference by expressing how disappointing the loss was, especially since his team had a chance to win. Missouri had an opportunity to either tie the game with a field goal or win it with a touchdown, starting their final drive on their own 47-yard line with 48 seconds remaining. Unfortunately, a game-sealing interception by true freshman cornerback Dijon Lee dashed the Tigers' chances. Drinkwitz highlighted that critical mistakes were the main reason for the loss, noting that Missouri converted only one out of ten third-down attempts. In contrast, Alabama converted six out of fifteen, including five out of seven in the first half. Additionally, Alabama was perfect on fourth downs, going three for three.

"Disappointing because we had an opportunity. I'm proud of the way our defense fought throughout the game. Proud of the way our offense fought, but ultimately we just had too many critical mistakes in critical situations to win." Drinkwits said, "Third downs in the first half on defense. Third downs the whole game on offense and then fourth down conversions, they were three for three."

Drinkwitz was asked about what went into his decision for the Tigers running a fake punt on 4th and 4 in the fourth quarter which was unsuccessful which gave the Crimson Tide possession at the Tigers' 40-yard line, and led to a touchdown from Ty Simpson to Daniel Hill on a 4th and one to provide Alabama with a 10-point lead with 3:16 left in the fourth quarter. Drinkwitz responded that he liked the personnel on the field and believed that his team could convert it also, the head coach was trying to bring a spark back and try to help his defense, which had been on the field for the majority of the second half, with the Tigers' offense not having a drive with possession over 2:15 for the entire second half.

"I mean it was my decision had a look we knew what they were going to get into they matched our personnel, meaning they put their punt return defense on there and we thought we could get four yards out there snapped it to one of the best running backs in the country and ended up just getting a yard short." Drinkwitz added "we hadn't been able to sustain drives. Defensive time of possession had really tilted, and I just felt like that was the time."

When asked about the struggles on offense, Drinkwitz shouldered the blame, stating that he and the staff failed to effectively help the offense execute the pass game in Saturday's loss. This was evident in quarterback Beau Pribula's struggles, as he passed for only 167 yards with two interceptions. However, he did pass for two touchdowns, but this wasn't enough to cast away his two picks in the second half.

"Not going to assign blame to anybody other than the head football coach. It's my responsibility to get our team ready to go." Drinkwitz added, "He (Beau Pribula) gave us an opportunity; the two interceptions are on seam balls, I'm sure we all wish we had them back. He did a nice job of escaping a lot of pressure. Never really got into a good rhythm throwing the ball. We got to do a better job of developing a rhythm, throwing the ball. I mean, we ended up with 200 yards passing, but I think going into that down ten, we were 68, so the stats are going to have to be willing to throw the ball on first down."

When asked about the late fourth-quarter interception and whether Pribula and his wide receiver, Kevin Coleman Jr., were on the same page, Drinkwitz responded with "more reps, more reps, more reps." Adding "better execution, more time on third downs, and get on the same page."

Drinkwitz and Missouri will look to bounce back next week when they take on Auburn on the road at Jordan-Hare Stadium next Saturday, October 18th.

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