Mizzou Football 2013

Mizzou Links, 11-5-13: Pinkel on Kentucky, the Franklin Waiting Game, and the recruiting bump

By Bill Connelly@SBN_BillC Nov 5, 2013, 5:18am CST

1. Four days to Kentucky

MUtigers.com: Mizzou Football Media Day Quotes - Nov. 4

Head Coach, Gary Pinkel

On Missouri also dealing with injuries at the quarterback position, and the performance of freshman Maty Mauk filling in...

"It is difficult. I think I said this after the game, that I went through a long time without losing a quarterback and it is very rare when your backup quarterback can play close to what the starter can play. I think that is just the way it is. I think a lot of times they do not get the experience because you do not trade people in and out. The other thing is because I think it is true in every level (NFL and college football), that you can name a dozen teams that the starter goes out and you are not going to be able to match that performance on the field. I feel fortunate that Maty has done a good job. I think what has helped Maty without question is that upfront we are playing really well. The offensive line that helps him, and having the receiving core intact allows him a greater shot of being successful."

On the defensive line's performance up to this point, and the impact it has overall on this football team...

"I think we are playing really well up front on the defensive side, and actually both sides of the football. We have impact players that make plays, with great quickness. If you mention one name we got to mention nine. I'm certainly pleased with the effort there. We are a lot better at defensive line. We have taken it to a different level, starting with the first game of this year. Shane Ray is playing at a different level. Michael Sam, we all know historically what he has been doing. You look at all of these different guys with all the plays we have been making. Kony Ealy, Harold Brantley, Lucas Vincent, Matt Hoch. I can keep on going. We are playing really well. If you can play well on both sides of the football you got a shot. My best football team I have had here is when our line of scrimmage is the best. That is where you stick all the perimeter people. If you're good up front it gives you the chance to be really good."

On the recent performance of offensive lineman, Justin Britt...

"He is just getting better. We talked about him today in the coach's meeting. He is really standing out. Often offensive linemen can stand out, but he has been blowing people up. He is just a very talented player. He is playing at a whole different level since he has been here. He is a very talented athlete. I call him a flat belly offensive lineman. He is really going well right now, and I'm really proud of him. The offensive line in general is also playing really well too."

On the photo of the little boy that dressed up as you for Halloween...

"Yeah, I did see that. I got that sent to me from four different people within 20 seconds. They said that the boy looks a lot better than what I do. I got the chance to actually meet him after the Tennessee game, and talked with him. He was really neat, and is a really nice young man. He is a young man with autism, and I am involved with the Thompson foundation here in Columbia a little bit with fundraising. I have been a part of that group the last couple of years. It was really neat to be able to see him after the game, and give him a hug. We do a lot of that community service with kids that have medical needs. We are involved a lot as an athletic department, and certainly our football program is too. Something that you don't see or read a lot about. Our kids do a lot of other things to help other kids."

The Trib (Behind the Stripes): Missouri Media Day Notes: Franklin Watch, Week 2
The Trib (Behind the Stripes): Gary Pinkel Speaks: Week 10
The Missourian: Missouri football: Decision on Franklin coming Thursday
Post-Dispatch: Franklin questionable for Kentucky game — for now
PowerMizzou: PMTV-HD: Monday Media, 11/4
Mizzou Network: 1 on 1: Pinkel Previews Kentucky

Captan Obvious
Post-Dispatch (Burwell): MU can keep it simple by winning

From Lexington...
John Clay: Three-spot from Mark Stoops’ Missouri preview
John Clay: Video: Highlights of Mark Stoops’ presser

The Home Stretch
The Trib: Teams take deep breaths before what could be killer ending

Lundquist acknowledged he has made mistakes, particularly with names.

"That's a three-and-a-half-hour high-wire act and there's no net," he said. "So occasionally you'll stumble and make a mistake. We've all done it. I've probably done it more often than most."

There's even a Verne Lundquist Drinking Game in which viewers can take a drink depending on when he laughs or makes mistakes on a broadcast. "I'm proud of the fact that mine's not as active as (Brent) Musburger's," he said.

Lundquist doesn't believe players and coaches when they say they don't read criticism. He thinks the same is true of announcers.

"I'd be lying if I said we're not conscious of it," he said. "We are. All of us are. But I will read it only to a point."

Lundquist said he enjoys the website Every Day Should Be Saturday and described its author, Spencer Hall, as "very, very, very clever." On the other hand, Lundquist said he is proud that he has not read the website Awful Announcing for two years.

"I won't look at it because of the adolescence of the guys who write it," Lundquist said.

Mizzou Links, 11-5-13: Pinkel on Kentucky, the Franklin Waiting Game, and the recruiting bump

Share this story

Share All sharing options for: Mizzou Links, 11-5-13: Pinkel on Kentucky, the Franklin Waiting Game, and the recruiting bump

1. Four days to Kentucky

2. Saturday was fun

3. Bauer

4. Finishing with a thud

5. Should be pretty decent this year...

6. WHATNOT

7. Love you, Uncle Verne

In This Stream

No. 8 Missouri beats Kentucky, 48-17, moves to 9-1

Next Up In Links

Share this story

All sharing options for: Mizzou Links, 11-5-13: Pinkel on Kentucky, the Franklin Waiting Game, and the recruiting bump