A top-15 matchup against Alabama looming, Missouri head coach Eliah Drinkwitz joined broadcaster Mike Kelly for this week’s Tiger Talk at Harpo’s, offering insight into how his team used the bye week to stay sharp.
For Drinkwitz, the bye week wasn’t about recovery—it was about rhythm.
“Last week wasn’t about knocking rust off — it was about staying in a routine,” Drinkwitz said. “We gave our high-rep guys a little break Tuesday, then went good-on-good Wednesday and Thursday to stay acclimated.”
Still, Drinkwitz wasn’t entirely satisfied with the focus he saw late in practice on Tuesday.
“I thought our concentration at the end of practice wasn’t where it needed to be,” he said. “You get into these big games where it’s a heavyweight fight—you don’t know which play will swing momentum. That’s why practice execution becomes game-day reality.”
Against Umass, Missouri quarterback Beau Pribula reached a historic mark of 21 straight completions, the most ever achieved by a Missouri quarterback since the previous mark set by Chase Daniel.
The consistency of completing over 75% of passes is what Missouri is looking for if it wants to pick up its first win against the Crimson Tide since 1975.
Missouri has also scored on 16 of its 19 drives lasting 10 or more plays this season, including two 99-yard scoring drives. Drinkwitz credited that success to balanced play-calling and consistent focus.
“That’s everybody doing their job at a high level,” he said. “We’ve been really good on third down — that’s the key to sustaining drives.”
Joining Kelly for the second half of the show, Missouri tight end Norfleet and safety Santana Banner spoke about team chemistry and focus during the bye week. Both emphasized that the energy in practice remains high as the Tigers prepare for Alabama’s visit.
Norfleet has become a reliable target in Missouri’s passing attack, while Banner continues to carve out a role in a deep secondary.
The pair echoed their coach’s message about attention to detail heading into what could be Missouri’s defining game of the season.
“We treated [the bye] like a normal game week,” Banner said. “It was about keeping our edge, making sure our eyes are right, tackling clean, and communicating. We know what kind of challenge Alabama brings, but we believe in our preparation.”
“Coach talks a lot about routine, and that’s real,” Norfleet said. “Every day has a purpose—Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday—they’re all built to get us ready to play fast and physical on Saturday. The bye week gave us a chance to fine-tune the little things.”
Tiger Talk is a weekly in-person radio show, hosted at Harpos Bar & Grill by Drinkwitz and Kelly every Tuesday night. Fans can also listen in Central Bank Tiger Radio Network.
This season is the first of a three-year deal the program has with the local bar. Harpo's also paired with head coach Dennis Gates and the Missouri basketball team last season as well.
The anticipated SEC matchup will be on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT at Faurot Field in Columbia. The game will air on ESPN.