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A few hours after his morning press conference, where he talked about his battle with cancer and his impending retirement, Missouri coach Gary Pinkel met with the media again, this time to talk about Tigers football – and his cancer and retirement.
Last week was an eventful one for the Tigers. First came the on-campus anti-racism protest, which included football players deciding to boycott all football-related activities until the protest ended. Then came Pinkel’s shocking announcement that he has Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and will be retiring at the end of the season.
But on Saturday, the Tigers were focused on football, and defeated BYU 20-16 in Kansas City, Mo. Pinkel said it was the team’s best performance of the season.
Pinkel calls the BYU performance “our best game. We were great all last week. Then, obviously, the bomb that went off Friday.”
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) November 16, 2015
One thing that helped Missouri’s offense was a healthy Russell Hansbrough. The senior running back dealt with injuries the first two months of the season, but has been healthy the last two games. Hansbrough rushed for a season-high 117 yards on 23 carries against BYU.
Pinkel says RB Russell Hansbrough has been 100 percent last two games. “It’s really disappointing we didn’t have him like that all year” — Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) November 16, 2015
The offensive staff made a few changes for the BYU game that paid off.
Pinkel says Missouri’s success on the screen passes, moving the pocket helped the offensive line in pass protection vs. BYU.
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) November 16, 2015
Pinkel also says rolling Drew Lock out made his reads a little “less complex,” helped him along.
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) November 16, 2015
Missouri (5-5) hosts Tennessee (6-4) this Saturday. The game will kick off at 7:15 p.m. ET on ESPN. One Tennessee player who impresses Pinkel is quarterback Josh Dobbs. Dobbs has thrown for 1,896 yards and 15 touchdowns this season, while rushing for 476 yards and seven touchdowns.
Pinkel: Dobbs is an impressive QB. Also lauds RB/WR and Vols’ special teams. — Tod Palmer (@todpalmer) November 16, 2015
Pinkel also mentioned Tennessee’s running backs. Jalen Hurd has rushed for 887 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Alvin Kamara has gained 503 yards and scored six touchdowns.
Missouri defensive tackle Terry Beckner Jr. has a strained right knee, and will miss the Tennessee game. He will have an MRI tonight to further examine the damage. Beckner injured the knee in the first quarter of last week’s win over BYU when a Cougars lineman cut blocked him.
Pinkel said Beckner Jr. has a strained knee, will have MRI tonight. Will not be in depth for Tennessee game. — Tod Palmer (@todpalmer) November 16, 2015
Pinkel on Terry Beckner Jr.: He had a great year. Show me a better defensive tackle who had a better year as a freshman.
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) November 16, 2015
Saturday will be senior night. The team will honor its 21 seniors before their final game at Faurot Field.
Mizzou will honor 21 seniors before Saturday’s game final home game — Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) November 16, 2015
GP: Playing for the seniors has always been a big deal. After the introductions & hugging your parents, you’ve got to get your head right. — Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) November 16, 2015
Missouri athletic director Mack Rhoades spoke to the players on Sunday about the upcoming coaching search and tried to answer any questions the players might have. Pinkel said the players appreciated it.
Pinkel said it was really soothing for Rhoades to talk to the players Sunday about the coaching search and any uncertainties — Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) November 16, 2015
Pinkel: “reassure them we’re going to do the right thing. We’re going to get the right person in here.” — David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) November 16, 2015
Pinkel has been battling cancer all season, but hadn’t told any of his players – or his assistant coaches. He had been quietly getting his treatments at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
Pinkel didn’t tell staff about his cancer, was diagnosed here in Columbia, went to Mayo for treatments. “I had to get out of here.” — Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) November 16, 2015
Pinkel: One of the most difficult things when you do what I did is you rock the world of your coaches.
— Tod Palmer (@todpalmer) November 16, 2015
Pinkel says he had no intention of retiring when he first got the diagnosis. Really started creeping in when August started.
— David Morrison (@DavidCMorrison) November 16, 2015
Pinkel plans to coach the rest of the season. Dec. 31 is supposed to be his last day as the coach, but he wants to coach the Tigers in their bowl game even if it’s after that date. Then he’ll start his retirement.
Pinkel says he won’t consider coaching again. He plans to live in Columbia and at the Lake — Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) November 16, 2015
And Pinkel assured his players that even after he retires, he will be there for them if they ever need him.
Pinkel told Beckner Jr. you have number. “If you need me, nothing changes.” Will still be there for players. — Tod Palmer (@todpalmer) November 16, 2015
