What Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz said about Arkansas
Arkansas football continues its 2024 season against No. 24 Missouri in just four days at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri, and Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz spoke to the media Tuesday to preview the matchup.
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Missouri hasn’t quite had the year it hoped for entering the season, but the Tigers still sit with a 9-3 (4-3) overall record with wins over teams like Boston College, Vanderbilt, Auburn, Oklahoma and Mississippi State.
Under Drinkwitz’s leadership, Missouri has accumulated a 36-24 (21-20 SEC) overall record in five seasons. This year, the Tigers boast the No. 61 total offense (393.4 YPG) and No. 73 passing offense (224.6 YPG) in the country.
This will mark the 16th meeting between the two teams, as Missouri leads the series 11-4. The Tigers have won the last two meetings, which includes a blowout last year in Fayetteville, 48-14. Arkansas last won in 2021, a 34-17 victory at Razorback Stadium. The Hogs have never triumphed in Columbia.
Here’s everything Drinkwitz had to say about Pittman, the Razorbacks and the game this weekend:
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On Arkansas and and its coaching staff:
Drinkwitz: “Now to the game this week, Arkansas, the Battle Line Rivalry. It’s a great rivalry and a really good football team. I think Coach [Sam] Pittman has done a tremendous job at the University of Arkansas. I just saw a stat today where I think he’s the first coach in their history that’s gone to four bowl games in the first five seasons that he’s been there. He’s done an excellent job recruiting and reshaping that roster from last year.
“They’re very talented, went into the transfer portal, got the right pieces, continually makes great hires. When you look at the hires that Coach Pittman has had in his coordinator positions since he’s been there, he’s done an excellent job. Coach [Barry] Odom, who did a tremendous job while he was there as the DC and obviously now at UNLV. Coach [Kendal] Briles while they were there.
“Coach [Scott] Fountain, his special teams coordinator, who I worked with at Auburn, has been consistently good. Travis Williams, now the defensive coordinator. They play fast, they play physical, they play inspired football. They beat Tennessee at home, a top-10 team this year. They did an excellent job. Then obviously Coach [Bobby] Petrino on the offensive side of the ball. One of the best play callers in college football, one of the best offensive minds in college football. There’s really not a scenario or situation that’s going to be new or unique to him. So, it’s a really, really challenging football game.”
On possibly playing in snow against Arkansas:
Drinkwitz: “Well, the first thing we do is we practice in the weather that we play in. So, we’ll be outside all week instead of in the indoor (practice facility) and try to get used to the bodily temperature. There are two different types of snow. There’s dry snow (and) wet snow. Wet snow sticks and compacts (and) makes it a little bit more difficult to throw, catch, make a slicker ball.
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“You have to be more cognizant of the way that you’re utilizing your cleats and running because the snow will clamp and be a factor in route running and slippage. So, there are some things as a staff that we’ve already put in place to prepare for, but the reality of it is, that’s just part of the game.”
On Arkansas’ best players:
Drinkwitz: “They’ve got a really good quarterback, Taylen Green, running back Ja’Quinden Jackson, the tight end Luke Hasz, the wide receiver Andrew Armstrong. I mean, really, really good skill positions, and Coach Petrino uses them in the right way. Defensively, Landon Jackson is one of the best defensive ends in our conference. I think the linebacker group plays really well downhill. Xavian Sorey is a guy that bounces off the tape at you.
“In the back end, Hudson Clark, we’ve played him for five-straight seasons. I remember playing him as a true freshman out here during the COVID season. A lot of these guys, similar to South Carolina, we’ve played a lot and have a lot of respect for them as a football team and as a program.”
On how Drinkwitz has seen Arkansas’ program change through the years:
Drinkwitz: “Obviously, last year they were going through some coordinator stuff and changes within their team. But I do think the defensive identity under Coach [Sam] Pittman has been consistent. Relentless pursuit to the football. They’re playing a little bit more of a three-safety defense the last three games, which is very similar to what they did with Coach [Barry] Odom. So, you can tell there’s a program style, complimentary football. Coach [Travis] Williams does a tremendous job getting those guys playing hard, playing fast.
“Since I’ve been here coaching, Arkansas has had really, really good linebacker play, and that’s consistent through Coach Williams, who was an elite linebacker himself at Auburn, and so those guys really stand out. Their defensive line has continued to improve. They retained some really good players and then added some players, so they’ve got more depth there.
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“On the offensive side of the ball, Coach Petrino is well known for his quarterback prowess, and he’s done a tremendous job with their quarterback. And Ja’Quinden Jackson – Coach Petrino has always believed in having a big [running] back. They really establish the run and then are explosive in the passing game. So, it’s complimentary football.”
On containing Andrew Armtrong:
Drinkwitz: “I think contain is the wrong word. I think you’ve got to limit yards after catch. I think he is an explosive route runner. Obviously, he’s got great length and can get over the top. So, you’ve got to do a great job of keeping on top of the routes and then we need to do a good job of tackling. They do a really good job of creating yards-after-catch through some of their crossing schemes.
“So, we’re going to have to do a really good job of tackling. The weather could be an intriguing factor in this game. I haven’t played in a snow game and it’s looking like we might get one of those. I don’t know if anyone here is a weather person but it’s looking like that, right? So, it’ll be interesting to see how it plays out.”
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The Missouri Tigers (5-1) will be looking to extend a five-game home winning streak when hosting the Lindenwood Lions (2-4) on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at Mizzou Arena. It airs at 6:30 PM ET on SEC Network+.
In its most recent game, Missouri beat UAPB, 112-63, at home. Its top scorers were Mark Mitchell (20 PTS, 72.73 FG%) and Caleb Grill (14 PTS, 55.56 FG%, 4-8 from 3PT).
Lindenwood lost on the road to Valparaiso, 77-64, in its last game. Its top performers were Markeith Browning II (20 PTS, 2 STL, 56.25 FG%, 2-4 from 3PT) and Jadis Jones (17 PTS, 9 REB, 4 STL, 46.67 FG%).
Ahead of watching this matchup, here’s what you need to know about Wednesday’s college basketball action.
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Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
Watch college basketball on Fubo!
Missouri Tigers vs. Lindenwood Lions
Game day: Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Game time: 6:30 PM ET
TV: SEC Network+
Live stream: Log into ESPN using your Fubo account to access SEC Network+
NCAA Basketball Odds and Betting Lines
Spread: Missouri -28.5
Total: 148.5
College basketball odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Wednesday at 3:59 AM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.
Watch college basketball on Fubo!
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CHICAGO, Nov. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri granted final approval of the National Association of Realtors®’ proposed settlement agreement to resolve class action claims related to broker commissions. The Court heard from all parties as well as objectors and the Department of Justice. Once arguments concluded, the Court quickly ruled to grant final approval. The Court is expected to soon issue a formal written order.
The settlement secures a release of liability for more than 1.4 million NAR members, all state/territorial and local Realtor® associations, Realtor® Multiple Listing Services (MLSs), NAR’s affiliate organizations and all brokerages with an NAR member as principal that had a residential transaction volume in 2022 of $2 billion or below. The settlement also releases MLSs and brokerages that chose to opt-in to the agreement.
“This is an important moment for NAR members, home buyers and sellers, and the real estate industry,” said NAR President Kevin Sears, broker-associate of Sears Real Estate/Lamacchia Realty in Springfield, Massachusetts. “As consumer champions, NAR’s members have been working tirelessly to implement the practice changes required by the settlement and shepherd consumers through this period of transition. The principles of transparency, competition and choice are core to the settlement agreement and empower real estate professionals and consumers to negotiate the services and compensation that work for them.”
NAR CEO Nykia Wright said, “NAR is committed to empowering Realtors® to help home buyers and sellers successfully navigate what is often the most important financial transaction of their lives. Today and every day, NAR is focused on demonstrating the importance of agents who are Realtors® in the marketplace, creating a transparent and inclusive home buying and selling process, and advancing the right to real property for all.”
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More information about the practice changes in the settlement agreement can be found at NAR Settlement FAQs. NAR members must adhere to the practice changes in good faith to maintain released status under the settlement agreement. NAR strongly opposes any attempts to circumvent the settlement.
Under the settlement, NAR will also pay $418 million over approximately four years to the settlement fund. Membership dues for 2025 will remain unchanged from 2024.
For complete information about the settlement and the approval order once available, please visit facts.realtor.
About the National Association of Realtors® The National Association of Realtors® is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.5 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. The term Realtor® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. For free consumer guides about navigating the homebuying and selling transaction processes – from written buyer agreements to negotiating compensation – visit facts.realtor.
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Information about NAR is available at nar.realtor. This and other news releases are posted in the newsroom at nar.realtor/newsroom.
CONTACT: Mantill Williams National Association of REALTORS® 202/383-1128 mwilliams@nar.realtor
ST. LOUIS (MBU) – The John Mason Peck Institute at Missouri Baptist University has awarded its first Fellow Scholarship to Michael T. Byrd Sr. in conjunction with the Missouri Baptist Foundation. The award was presented by Dr. Keith Ross, president of MBU; Dr. Neil Franks, president and treasurer of the Missouri Baptist Foundation; and Dr. Aaron Lumpkin, associate vice president for Spiritual Formation and assistant professor of Theology.
Michael T. Byrd Sr.
The John Mason Peck Institute at MBU exists to equip the next generation of Christian leaders who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministry, offering workshops, mentorship opportunities and scholarships. MBU partners with the Missouri Baptist Foundation, a ministry dedicated to allocating financial assets for ministry partners through redemptive investing, to sponsor John Mason Peck Institute scholarship opportunities.
“President Ross and I are thankful for the partnership with the Missouri Baptist Foundation. This wouldn’t be possible without the Foundation’s support. And I couldn’t think of a better recipient of the first Fellow Scholarship in the Peck Institute than Michael Byrd,” said Dr. Aaron Lumpkin. “Pastor Byrd is a leader in our community, helping advance the good news of Jesus Christ across our city through church planting, discipleship and mentorship. We’re delighted to have him complete his degree at MBU and for him to be a part of the MBU community,” Lumpkin added.
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Michael T. Byrd Sr. received the John Mason Peck Institute Fellow Scholarship for his ministry impact in St. Louis. Byrd is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministry while serving as pastor of Faith Community Bible Church in Jennings, Mo. In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, he is the Send City Missionary for St. Louis with the Send Network, the church-planting arm of the North American Mission Board. Byrd also oversees the Faithful Men Network, which seeks to connect with and encourage inner city pastors for mission and gospel partnerships. Byrd and his wife, Traci, have four children.
Missouri Baptist University is a Christ-centered university located in St. Louis. MBU offers more than 40 undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees in education, business and religion and the Doctor of Education. MBU offers degree programs at regional learning centers throughout the St. Louis metro area and online. For more information, visit www.mobap.edu or call 1-877-434-1115.
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