Vanderbilt and Missouri both experienced wake-up calls last week, but they were very different.
The Commodores faced a tough loss when Georgia State scored a last-minute touchdown, which stopped them from starting the season 3-0 for the first time since 2017, before coach Clark Lea’s time.
On the other hand, seventh-ranked Missouri had a positive wake-up call. They were challenged by then-No. 24 Boston College, won the game, and learned important lessons as they prepare for their SEC matchup against Vanderbilt this Saturday.
One major issue for the Tigers (3-0) to work on is their lack of discipline. They received three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties against Boston College, including one on star wide receiver Luther Burden III. Coach Eli Drinkwitz had to discipline him on the sideline for this and another roughness penalty.
Missouri ranks tied for 115th out of 132 teams in penalties per game in the Bowl Subdivision.
“I challenged our staff and our players to put your feelings in a box,” Drinkwitz said. “The lack of discipline is a result of the lack of accountability, and there’s going to be accountability.
No different than they caught me on tape getting on Luther between the third and fourth quarter. He deserved every bit of that, and he understood it.”
Drinkwitz emphasized, “The team’s mission is way more important than anybody’s individual hurt feelings. So, put your feelings in a box, put your big boy pants on, take accountability for the things that we have to improve on.”
For the Commodores, this week was about understanding expectations. They were feeling good after wins over Virginia Tech and Alcorn State, and many thought they would handle Georgia State easily.
However, the Panthers managed to score with just 15 seconds left, coming back to win 36-32 after overcoming a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
