# Drinkwitz sees fixes after Missouri beats Kansas > Missouri beat Kansas, but Eli Drinkwitz used Tuesday to point at the work still waiting on special teams, run game and coverage. - Title: Drinkwitz sees fixes after Missouri beats Kansas | Shortify - Summary: Missouri beat Kansas, but Eli Drinkwitz used Tuesday to point at the work still waiting on special teams, run game and coverage. Missouri has real momentum… - Keywords: missouri football, college football, eli drinkwitz, sec, troy, sports, Drinkwitz, sees, fixes, Missouri, beats, Kansas - Source: Missouri Tigers On SI — https://si.com/college/missouri/football/the-three-most-important-quotes-from-eli-drinkwitz-s-tuesday-press-conference- - Published: 2026-09-15T19:16:20+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: missouri football, college football, eli drinkwitz, sec, troy, sports ## A win with warnings Missouri earned bragging rights by beating Kansas, but Eli Drinkwitz framed the film review as a correction list, not a victory lap. > Obviously, a good win. ## Special teams stung Two blocked field goals, four penalties and two personal fouls made special teams the sore spot of the win. > That was as embarrassed as I've ever been about special teams. ## Drinkwitz took blame He said the breakdowns were on him because the same protection issue showed up twice after warning signs in the previous game. > I'm going to put it on me. ## Protection was rebuilt Missouri reinstalled field goal protection and made personnel changes after Kansas attacked the same C-D gap area. > We have reinstalled the protection ## Simmons trusted the pocket Austin Simmons thrived because the offensive line kept him clean, giving him time to move through reads and attack tight windows. > There's not a throw that he doesn't feel very comfortable making. ## The line unlocked him Drinkwitz said Simmons sees the field well when rushers are not crowding his arms or feet. The Kansas game showed that version of him. > He sees the defense really well. ## Leadership traveled fast Only nine months in, Simmons has made himself part of the whole team, greeting teammates and firing up the defense. > The dude understands he's a part of this team ## Noise did not shake him Kansas fans targeted Trinidad Chambliss when Simmons entered, but Drinkwitz said the moment seemed to fuel the quarterback. > He was never phased by the moment. ## Simpson flashed late Donta Simpson missed July training after an illness, then worked back into shape and gave Missouri a pass-rush spark against Kansas. > Proud of Donta. ## His role stayed focused The staff kept Simpson’s workload tied to his best skill first: rushing the passer with twitch and speed, then adding run-game duties. > One of the best things he does is rush the passer ## The jersey sent a message After a poor UAPB game, Drinkwitz changed Simpson from No. 8 to No. 88 in practice to make clear that single digits had to be earned. > Nobody's arrived yet ## Hardy remains out Asked for an Ahmad Hardy update, Drinkwitz offered nothing new. Hardy is still in rehab mode. > No, nothing. Still rehabbing. ## Troy brings a trap Drinkwitz warned that Troy is 2-0, has a history of troubling Power Five teams and will come to Columbia with confidence. > They have no doubt that they can play at this level ## Troy’s offense is tricky Goose Crowder brings experience, while coordinator Adam Austin uses wide-split RPOs and slow mesh concepts that stress discipline. > It'll be a very difficult game ## The run game lags Missouri’s outside zone has not synced yet. Drinkwitz wants linemen and backs matching paths, timing and decisions faster. > We're just not all five blocking on the same page ## Depth is still forming Xai'Shaun Edwards scored and avoided negative plays, while Jamal Roberts gave Missouri a needed second-quarter spark. > We got to continue to get another back involved. ## Hopkins earned praise Daeden Hopkins’ work ethic, added weight, length and pass-rush effort have made Drinkwitz a believer since camp. > I've been a big Daeden Hopkins fan. ## Secondary needs cleanup Drinkwitz liked Jahlil Florence’s interception, but flagged tackling, man coverage lapses and online distractions as issues to erase. > We got to have more consistency out of that position. ## The challenge rises Missouri’s defensive backs will face more one-on-one chances against Troy, and Drinkwitz expects opponents to test every flaw on tape. > It's going to get a lot more challenging ## Key takeaway Missouri has real momentum, but Drinkwitz wants the win treated as warning tape, not proof the Tigers have arrived.