Missouri Tigers College Football Pregame Quote, 12/26/2023

Q. What were some of your initial reactions to being back on this field?

COACH: It was crazy because I didn’t think I would get to play in Jerry’s World (AT&T Stadium) again in college. First was excited because they would be able to see me. They couldn’t travel to Missouri to see me play..

Q. Kirby [Moore] just got his extension. What personally has Kirby meant to you, and how has he helped elevate your game?

WR THEO WEASE JR.: He elevated my game in many ways you wouldn’t see just from a film aspect, certain things to look at, certain indicators from linebackers or safeties. He’s really focused on those details and you can tell. Because the guy comes in, he’s the first in the building, the last to leave, and that’s every day. He’s consistent with that and you can tell by the offense we’re playing that he helped me.

Q. Has that work ethic rubbed off on you not only on offense but as a whole? Have you seen that?

WR THEO WEASE JR.: Most definitely. You have to put in the work if you want to get the results. Most definitely.

Q. How important is that continuity?

WR THEO WEASE JR.: The coordinator change, nine times out of ten the offense is changing and that comes from growing pains of learning a new offense. No one wants to learn a new offense every year. So it’s definitely great

Q. What has been some of the points of emphasis?

WR THEO WEASE JR.: Same focus all season, 1-0 mentality and just focus on this.

Q. What are some of the things that stand out for Ohio State?

WR THEO WEASE JR.: Their relentless effort on defense. They play really hard on defense. They rally to the ball really well. Just how comfortable you can see they are in their scheme. I can tell they take a lot of time with film.

Q. You guys went to Georgia this year, played in Georgia, gave Georgia everything they could handle, although you lost. What did y’all learn from that game, playing the No. 1 team in their house? And now you’re playing Ohio State, another premiere team in a big stage. How does that Georgia game translate over here?

WR THEO WEASE JR.: Just by we can compete with anybody in the country, you know? And we’ve earned that right. I feel like we’ve earned that respect from everybody. They definitely need to start respecting us, if they turn on the tape and watch Mizzou play. It’s great to have that experience early in the season to be prepared for another big opponent.

Q. Last year you won six games. This year you’re giving everybody everything they can handle. What is your thought on what the difference is in the two years?

WR THEO WEASE JR.: I’d say the buy in from the team. I’d say it’s more player led than coach driven it’s more player led than coach led. It’s a group of guys that really had a mission this offseason. We came together, we talked about it, and we had a real mission this season to do something spectacular that’s never been done before.

And you know, everybody just bought into it. And it kind of got to a point where the coaches would take their foot off the gas a little bit and let us do what we do and let the players lead. And, you know, that’s what it’s been.