Hear from Eli Drinkwitz and a handful of Tiger seniors with the regular season finale coming up against the Razorbacks.

Head coach Eli Drinkwitz & Co. held their regularly scheduled Tuesday press conference on a news-filled day in Columbia.

Per his Instagram story, wide receiver Mookie Cooper underwent successful surgery on an undisclosed injury; Cooper hadn’t played since Oct. 19 against Auburn, when he made a big-time 74-yard catch on the last play of the third quarter. Later in the day, it was announced that center Connor Tollison would return to Mizzou next season; Tollison suffered a season-ending knee injury on Oct. 9 against Oklahoma. Defensive coordinator Corey Batoon was also MU’s nominee for the Frank Broyles award, which goes to the nation’s top assistant coach.

Here’s what Drinkwitz, quarterback Brady Cook, linebacker Will Norris and defensive end Johnny Walker Jr. told reporters on Tuesday:

Eli Drinkwitz | Head coach

Opening statement: “(The seniors have) been true sons for the state of Missouri. Some chose Missouri all the way from high school. Some chose Missouri through the transfer portal, but all of them are unique in their own stories, I think they have forged together a really strong brotherhood that makes up the University of Missouri’s 2024 football team. It’s a proud group, very resilient group, a strong group, a tough, committed, determined group, and I look forward to sending them out at sold out Faurot Field. They worked very hard to make our fans so proud that they’re here for 12 or 13th straight sell out. And that’s a tribute to the guys that, like I said to the team afterwards after practice yesterday, the group who came here in a coaching transition, they didn’t choose it because it sold out crowds … I’m really, really proud of this class.”

On Mookie Cooper: “One senior, Mookie Cooper revealed today on Snapchat that he had surgery. So I would like to announce that he had season-ending surgery today … his last real play of the year is going to be remembered as the one that sparked us to beat Auburn.”

On Brady Cook’s impact: “He’s been tremendous, been consistent, determined, the same words that I use for that senior class. I think we were looking up yesterday. I think he’s 24-13 as a starter here, which would be third all-time … stayed consistent, believed in himself. It means the world to him.”

“It’s not just him. It‘s Will Norris. It’s Mitch Walters. it’s Drake Heismeyer. It’s Jack Meyer. It’s Luke Bauer. These guys all came in at the same time, and all stayed. Drake had one of those all-time quotes. He didn’t do it for the money, he didn’t do it for the fame, he did it because he loves the University of Missouri. I just reminded him that he’s not famous or rich, but he did it for the University of Missouri.”

On Saturday being the last game in Faurot Field for the 2024 season: “That’s something that we have a constant reminder of. This is the greatest stage of our lives, but they’re not forever, right? So you’ve got to maximize the moments, and like we told ‘em in August, the days drag on, but the months fly by.”

On how beating Arkansas on Senior Day can be extra special: “The biggest thing for us is about the seniors, and rivalry week is important, and the Battle Line trophy is important. But more importantly for us is playing for those guys and sending those guys out the right way. The North End Zone is going to look totally different from now on … this is one of the last times this group, or any group, is going to get a chance to play in Faurot with that setup, and so we want to make sure we put our best game on tape.”

On Armand Membou: “Armand has really played well the last three games. We’ve had a big point of emphasis for us playing physical at the point of attack, and I think he’s handled his job really, really well. I think it’s just the continued for him, maturing growth.”

On if Luther Burden will be playing his last collegiate game this Saturday: “I have had conversations with Luther. We are in those conversations. I’m never going to steal anybody’s under our spotlight, but I would just say that we’re very fortunate for Luther. Done been here for three seasons. He will walk on Saturday. No decisions have been made, but that is an opportunity for him to make a decision.”

On kickoffs out of bounds: “It’s a momentum-killer … inconsistency in our kicking game has been an Achilles heel for us this year.”

Brady Cook | Quarterback

On his feelings surrounding his last home game with Mizzou: “Definitely gonna be emotional. It’s definitely gonna be emotional. Started to feel that Sunday and Monday a little bit. It’s just a little sad … we got to go win that game. The great reward will be getting carried off on my teammates(‘ shoulders), picking out my rock, but in order to do that, we’ve got to go win this game.”

On what he wants his legacy to be at Mizzou: “Ending a winner. When I committed here, came here over here, it was a lot of uncertainty around the program, you know, coaching staff, just a lot of uncertainty. And I had a vision. I believed it. I could see it. I knew it was there. It took a lot of different moves and adversity to get there. And I feel like we go win this one, win the bowl game. I feel like I can confidently say I left my legacy as a winner.”

On his Mizzou career: “I really am grateful for it all. There’s no way I could predict this is how my career would have went, but I’m glad it did. I wouldn’t change anything.”

On what pushed the program to new heights starting last season: “I think it was a belief in ourselves, a belief that we could compete at the highest level. In my first two, three years here, I didn’t feel like that belief was there, whether it was offseason, fall camp into the season. I don’t think anyone in the building really believed whether we had the talent or the Brotherhood or the team altogether. There wasn’t a lot of belief. And I think in 2023, that changed. (We) had a great group of leaders. Think about Cody Schrader, Darius Robinson, Javon Foster, all those guys, you know, they came back for that year. It was special. , I think that year changed a lot and, in a lot of ways, it really helped this team this year. We saw a standard set for that year.”

On the bond between him and the other seniors that have been at Mizzou since the start of their careers: “That’s the closest bond you can have. Rolling together, sticking with each other, ups, downs, five years, losing seasons, different coaching changes, a ton of adversity. At the same time, success, a ton of highs, awesome moments that we’ll always cherish and always remember. It’s definitely those guys that you’re proud of. You’re thankful they set by your side. It’s going to be cool walking out with them on Saturday.”

On the connection between him and Burden: “t’s special. You know, growing up, watching Chase (Daniel), Jeremy (Maclin), watching all those different connections throughout the years, the great quarterbacks, the great receivers. That was a vision I had.

“I remember hearing the name Luther Burden my first couple years here when we recruited him. I remember clicking on his game when he played East St. Louis versus CBC. I was watching a live stream with Barrett Banister. He took a punt returner or a kick return back. We both said, man, like this. could this be my guy? And, sure enough, he was. Just so proud of him. When we first got here, when we all first get here, you know, we’re just kids. Don’t know a ton. Don’t know a ton about life, football, whatever it is. And just to see him mature, grow, see the way he takes it so much more seriously, the way he practices. He really cares about his teammates, and it’s just been a real pleasure. And, you know, obviously, just like you saw in Mississippi State, you can just throw it to him and make plays. That’s pretty cool, too.”

On how he’s going to handle his emotions on Saturday: “I don’t know. I feel like I always figure it out.”

On if he’s ever played in snow: “Maybe once or twice in high school? Shoot, I’m down for anything.”

On Cooper: “He’s been nothing short of unbelievable as a teammate, as a player. He’s so consistent, the same guy every single day.”

More reflecting on his time at Mizzou: “It‘s my life, it’s truly my home, my family. I feel like I belong here. It’s where I grew up. It’s where I really learned the game of football. It’s where I got to live out my dream. I’ve met so many people, created so many different relationships in this state, in this city, and man, it’s my life around here … I cherish every memory I’ve made here.”

Will Norris | Linebacker

On how he can pass the standard along to the next team: “Just have to set the standard every day. I think the standards been set like Brady [Cook], I just listened to him say, you know, last year, that kind of set the standard and where we see ourselves and where we want to be, obviously better than you know in the past, and being able to get there is difficult steps. Having these young guys come in, it’s a different generation. A lot of things are different, but having Coach Russ with the Elite Edge program, having a good group of leaders, having all these different supporting factors live up to the standard, When they see all of us, older guys, living up to that standard, it sets a path for them.”

On how its been being a part of the program: “It’s been unbelievable. You know, Brady’s one of my best friends down here for sure. And you know, seeing all of it, seeing how he’s handled it, seeing how Luther has come into this program. You know, he’s been so much of this program. You know, he kind of came in and, you know, just put his head down to work and, you know, seeing the connection that they built together, seeing how it’s grown over the past couple years, it’s just been really cool to sit back and watch, you know, I bet, you know, I don’t feel it now, but I bet, and you know, a couple years, I’ll look back and be like, you know, that was pretty damn cool to be able to, you know, get a prime seat to see, you know, Brady and Luther for you know three years here, doing what they do and being a part of it, you know, unbelievable experience. I’ve been grateful for my time here. I just really cool.”

Johnny Walker Jr. | Defensive end

On his journey at Mizzou: “I don’t think people ever get to where they think they’re going like it’s been ups and downs, but ultimately, I’m blessed to be on the path I have now.”

On what it will be like walking through the tunnel for the final time at home: “It’s going to be emotional, It’s my last game at my home, like a real home for me, I’m a true son, and I’m gonna try to fight the tears.”

On potentially winning 10 games for a second consecutive season: “It’s amazing … It’s a blessing to even be in the conversation.”

On being able to give momentum to next year’s group after he’s gone: “We’ve obviously got to leave a legacy for the next group so they can uphold the standard as well. We built something where hopefully we keep continuing success.”

On where the current standard within the program was born: “There’s a lot of moments I feel like kind of was in 2022 at the season, where we came together after the bowl game and was like, we’re not going off, not going out like this no more. Also, during the summer, in ‘23, we do bleachers, and the whole team agreed to do one more, because always do more than expected. So that’s the lifestyle we live by. So I feel like that was also a turning point for us.”