Columbia News

Missouri Tigers football coach Eliah Drinkwitz spoke to the media on Saturday after the team's second preseason scrimmage. Drinkwitz addressed both the progress seen in camp and ongoing questions about the quarterback competition.

"I thought I saw some really good things and saw some things that frustrate you," Drinkwitz said. "I think the biggest takeaway for me offensively was zero turnovers. Quarterbacks didn't turn the ball over today I thought was good. Defense did a really nice job ... I think they had two safeties, which I thought was, was really good. Red zone was was pretty even. I thought the defense got the better part of them in the open field for the most part. Right there at the end of the game, Sam Horn gave his group a chance to tie it with the field goal, and field goal didn't convert. But then right there, Beau Pribulatook them down and scored a touchdown. So it was good job by both by both quarterbacks. You know, I was really looking to see if we had some separation today, and I honestly just didn't see it. They're both playing really good football right now. So we'll go into next week and keep the battle going."

Drinkwitz also noted that several players were held out of action as a precaution rather than due to injuries or contract issues.

"(We) held out several guys today. Nobody's holding out because of contracts. Just precautionary head coach decision. Connor Tollisonhas played four years as a starter. Didn't feel like that was worth the risk. Jalen Catalon's got over 4,000 career reps. Didn't feel like that was worth of risk there. So, you know, few guys on each side of ball we held out just to be smart. Tomorrow's an off day and we'll be into execution week next."

The Tigers are set to open their 2025 season on Thursday, August 28, hosting Central Arkansas at Memorial Stadium in Columbia.