Drinkwitz sets “clean slate” ahead of season opener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Mizzou football team is getting set for the season opener Thursday at Faurot Field against Louisiana Tech and head coach Eli Drinwitz says what happened last year has been forgotten.

"What we did last year wasn't clearly good enough so it's an opportunity for us to define who we want to be moving forward," Drinkwitz said. "We have a chance Thursday to set our identity. This is a clean slate and it's a great opportunity for us to go paint that canvas."

Drinkwitz says his team is prepared for a challenge on Thursday against LA Tech especially because of the fact that the two teams have never faced, plus the Bulldogs are coming into it with an entirely new coaching staff.

"When they have a new coaching staff, you're not seeing any of their players in the new scheme that they're going to be running," Drinkwitz said.

LA Tech is led by head coach Sonny Cumbie who was previously the assistant coach at Texas Tech.

"He's going to provide a spark not only with his energy and personality to that football team, but you know that they're going to be dynamic on offense," Drinkwitz said.

On Sunday, Drinwkitz also set the depth chart for the opener.

Brady Cook will be leading the offense, but a clear backup between Jack Abraham, Sam Horn and Tyler Macon was not named.

The running backs will rotate between Elijah Young, Cody Schrader and Nathaniel Peat. The starting tight end role will be between Tyler Stephens and Kibet Chepyator.

The receivers on the chart are Chance Luper, Mookie Cooper, Tauskie Dove, Luther Burden, Barrett Banister, Dominic Lovett and Mehki Miller. The Z spot is between Luper, Cooper and Dove. The H is between Lovett and Banister and the X goes to Burden in his first year with the Tigers.

The majority of the Mizzou depth comes in the defense as they enter the first year under head coach Blake Baker.

Full interviews with Baker, Chad Bailey, Darius Robinson and Ennis Rakestraw can be found below.