Eli Drinkwitz breaks down areas Missouri must improve in second half of season

Missouri took their first loss this past Saturday but are still off to a terrific start at 5-1. However, head coach Eli Drinkwitz still has a laundry list of improvements he wants to see in the second half of the season.

He said that during team meetings this week, he’s been harping one some particular areas where he needs to see growth.

“One of the things that we talked about as a team yesterday is that we’re at the halfway point of the season, and this is where we’re at these are the statistics that have to improve in order for us to have the second half of the season that we want to have,” he explained at his media availability on Wednesday. His first stat that needs to improve: turnovers created vs. turnovers committed.

“Number one, it starts with takeaways and turnovers,” said Drinkwitz. “You know, we’ve committed five turnovers on the season, and we’ve only got four takeaways. That number has to change. Turnovers and takeaways are the number one indicator of wins and losses.”

Next, the Missouri coach addressed explosive plays and third down opportunities.

“Second thing that we’ve talked about is explosive plays for and against. We’ve got to reduce explosive plays and continue to find them. Third down numbers have got to improve in the second half to the season.”

With star wideout Luther Burden accounting for 23 of his own “explosive” plays so far in the pass game, it’s been an area of strength for Mizzou. However, avoiding unnecessary penalties has been an issue for the Tigers.

“The next thing we talk about is penalties … for and against. We have way too many penalties pre snap on the offensive side of the ball, and that’s got to get taken off the tape,” Drinkwitz said.

“And then, we’ve got too many unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on the defensive side of the ball, and both of those either have to be taken off the tape or the player’s got to come out of the game because the team comes first.”

So, there you have it, direct from head coach Eli Drinkwitz. In a very no-nonsense answer, he laid out exactly where his football team needs to improve against Kentucky as the Tigers begin the back half of their slate.

Per Drinkwitz, Missouri needs to improve in some crucial areas: Create more turnovers and turn the ball over less; create more explosive plays but limit them defensively; convert third downs on offense and prevent them on defense; and then, lastly: reduce penalties.