What Missouri, Arkansas Said After the Tigers' Blowout Win Over Arkansas
The Missouri Tigers capped off a remarkable 2023 regular season on Friday night with a dominant 48-14 victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks. Finishing the season with a 10-2 record, the Tigers will likely earn a spot in a New Year's Six Bowl game. Here's what Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri players and Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman said after the game.
Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri head coach
"What a performance from tonight by our defense. I thought they played unbelievable Coach Baker continues to be one of the best in the country. Forcing turnovers, limiting them to really, a lot of trash yards in the fourth quarter. Offensively, I thought we did a nice job of controlling the line of scrimmage. And again Cody, another 220 yards. I mean, it's time to start talking about him being the best player in the country. For his football team, a top 10 team, leads the SEC in rushing. Can't say enough things about him. Really proud of football team."
On why Missouri should be 'America's team':
"We're America's team. We're a team built on underdogs. We're a team built on young men with something to prove. We got a Division II transfer running back who's leading the SEC in rushing. We got a bunch of fighters. Our quarterback has been fighting his whole life to earn an opportunity to play the way he does. We got offensive linemen who just play for each other. I mean, we're the story that the people should be really proud to be behind. I'm just proud to coach this football team and it ain't about me. It's really about building a brotherhood, those guys coming together, those coaches in there coaching their butt off for each other. That's what America is all about: people coming together."
On the skirmishes in the first half:
"We were here to play football. They were here to fight."
On the character of his team:
"Bunch of fighters. Bunch of guys who believe in each other. A bunch of guys that believe in the Brotherhood, and they believed that fighting for each other and working for each other and putting your ego aside and fighting for a team. And I think it means teams can still win. It's not going to be about the individual player. It's what football is all about. It's about the best team."
On "MIZ" - "ZOU" chants taking over Arkansas' stadium:
"We wanted to restore the roar of Missouri football and to be able to hear that on the road at Kentucky and on the road at Arkansas so hopefully continues to swell the pride of our state that people continue to get behind us and why stop now."
Cody Schrader, Missouri running back
On if he cares about his individual stats:
"I don't worry about that. We got 10 wins. That was our goal and now we're just looking forward to playing the bowl game and I just am excited to enjoy this win with the team for the next couple weeks because we've been working for this for a very, very long time. So I'm just proud of the guys."
On what this season means to the program:
"We're more happy for the City of Columbia and the State of Missouri. We wanted to bring a winning culture back to Mizzou because these fans I mean, you saw the fans out there today. They stuck with us to the very end and we just love this community, love this school. So we just want to keep giving our best and keep making this school proud.
On possibly playing in New Year's Six Bowl:
"I'm just really excited for our fans. I know they're gonna travel well, you got excited about that opportunity. extremely excited man ... I never thought I'd be in this position. As little kid man, you look at the Cotton Bowl and the Peach Bowls and the Fiesta Bowls and you watch those games sitting on the couch and now it's become a reality."
Sam Pittman, Arkansas head coach
"We knew they had a really good, physical football team. They played a really good game today and obviously we did not. But congratulations to the and they were a physical team and running back (Cody Schrader) is really good and we couldn't stop him."
