Eliah Drinkwitz updates Mizzou Tigers’ injuries, roster and focus before Vandy game

Fresh off its bye week with a 3-4 record on the season, Missouri football faces Vanderbilt on the road this Saturday.

The contest will have big implications on who finishes at the bottom of the SEC East division, as both teams are still without a win in conference play.

Here is what stood out from head coach Eliah Drinkwitz’s weekly press conference on Tuesday and a breakdown of what you need to know ahead of the Tigers’ matchup with the Commodores.

Update on the injury front

Drinkwitz opened his press conference by thanking right guard Case Cook, defensive end Chris Turner and defensive back Mason Pack, all of whom were announced as out for the season with injuries last week.

The head coach revealed that Cook, who had missed two games earlier in the year, suffered a shoulder injury and was told by doctors after the loss to Kentucky that he should shut down his season. But the team captain tried to play anyway.

“He refused, did not want to go out that way,” Drinkwitz said. “Rehabbed and rehabbed and rehabbed to come back. And just, it just wasn’t getting to where he could functionally play, and the doctors had to take it out of his hands, no longer let it be his decision.”

When asked whether he had talked with any of those players, all of whom were at least seniors, or others, about coming back for another year, Drinkwitz said there had been some private conversations but nothing would be decided until after the season.

“I don’t want him to make that decision in the emotion of the injury, and I don’t want to put any words in his mouth or ideas in his head,” Drinkwitz said of Cook. “That’s going to be 100% his opportunity to decide with his family on what’s in the best interest of him. And we’ll go from there.”

As for filling those voids this season, Drinkwitz said Connor Wood and EJ Ndoma-Ogar will compete for the starting right guard spot. Though there is no depth chart again this week, the head coach said Jatorian Hansford, Arden Walker, Johnny Walker and Cannon York will make up the defensive end rotation.

Drinkwitz said the team is still dealing with some other injuries, though he doesn’t think any are season-ending. He wouldn’t reveal more information until the injury report comes out Thursday evening.

More roster turnover

In addition to the injuries, some players decided to leave the program following the Tigers’ last game against Texas A&M.

Wide receiver Ja’Mori Maclin entered the transfer portal last Wednesday and linebacker Jamie Pettway followed suit on Monday.

Maclin, the cousin of Mizzou great Jeremy Maclin, hadn’t seen much action in his redshirt freshman season after breaking his arm during fall camp and missing the first five games. He had one reception for five yards in 2020.

Pettway had played in six games this season. The redshirt sophomore had 10 tackles (six solo) and played 85 total snaps, which was the fourth among linebackers, according to Pro Football Focus.

“Whoever leaves our program, we wish them the absolute best and hope that they go find the right fit for them and become the best version of themselves,” Drinkwitz said. “I’ve made decisions to take other jobs that best fit me and so I’m never going to begrudge those players. I would focus on the guys who are here. We’re trying to build the team and chemistry and camaraderie to find the right fit for Mizzou.”

Bye week takeaways

Drinkwitz said the main focuses over the bye week were penalties, turnovers and slow starts.

The team tried to work on technique and fundamentals within schemes in practice. The coaching staff also discussed how they can better call plays to fit their specific personnel.

With the team having performed under expectations for this season, Drinkwitz said a lot of players are hungry to improve.

One of them is Connor Bazelak, who has thrown six interceptions in the last three games against Power Five opponents. Drinkwitz said the coaching staff has been working with him on preparation and decision making to limit turnovers.

“We’ve got all the faith in the world in him and he’s got faith in himself, but we also have to continue to improve,” Drinkwitz said of Bazelak.

Keys for Vanderbilt

The last time it played at Vanderbilt on the road in 2019, Missouri suffered an upset defeat.

When discussing the upcoming game, Drinkwitz first mentioned the defense being “long and physical up front” and praised the Commodores’ pressure packages.

He also noted the defense’s ability to force turnovers. Vanderbilt has forced two interceptions in each of its last four contests and has scored over 32% of its points this season off of turnovers.

“That’s going to be a challenge for us,” Drinkwitz said.

Another difficulty for Mizzou in preparing for this weekend’s game is uncertainty at the quarterback position for the Commodores. Starting quarterback Ken Seals suffered a finger injury earlier this month, leaving sophomore Mike Wright to start the last two games.

In his press conference Tuesday, Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea first said that Seals was week to week, but then said his status was day to day as he nears the end of his recovery. He said Wright will be the starter “until [Seals] shows us he can perform.”

“Once [Seals] does, it’s just a matter of how quickly he’s to 100% and where we feel like he can effectively manage and move the offense,” Lea said.