Eli Drinkwitz says Mizzou doesn’t have QB1 yet. Will Monday’s scrimmage reveal one?

Mizzou football coach Eli Drinkwitz didn’t wait for a question to acknowledge what’s on everyone’s mind.

“Yeah, we don’t have a starting quarterback yet,” Drinkwitz said to open Saturday’s news conference. “So, with that, I’ll take questions.”

Through five practices, the competition remains unsettled — and lively.

Graduate transfer Beau Pribula and redshirt junior Sam Horn have continued splitting reps, with each showing a blend of flashes and flaws. During Saturday’s blitz period, both threw interceptions. They followed them up, though, with touchdown throws in the move-the-ball period — a sign of the kind of resilience Drinkwitz wants to see.

“That’s exactly what you want to see,” he said. “That’s how you want this quarterback battle to go.”

True freshman Matt Zollers also earned a mention for his poise in team drills. On one drive, he audibled at the line and connected on what Drinkwitz called a “big-time throw.”

Reinforcements step up with veterans sidelined

While some of Missouri’s most experienced players took the day off — including graduate transfer Jalen Catalon, senior Sterling Webb and graduate Connor Tollison — their absences created opportunities for others.

Redshirt freshman Jackson Hancock snagged an interception; redshirt junior Tristan Wilson slid in at center without much drop-off; and redshirt junior Marquis Gracial flashed repeatedly on the defensive front.

“Really pleased with some of these guys and their ability to step in,” Drinkwitz said.

He added that the sidelined veterans are expected back soon and were mostly resting as a precaution.

“Catalon and Tollison are old dudes,” Drinkwitz joked. “I think they were just trying to get some vet days.”

Who are the Mizzou football leaders?

Missouri’s defense is loud — in a good way.

Khalil Jacobs has become a steady emotional anchor, leading by example and volume. Drinkwitz praised the senior’s ability to “encourage and then discourage the offense” through his intensity.

On offense, graduate transfer Dominick Giudice and junior Marquis Johnson have emerged as tone-setters.

Johnson, in particular, has shown maturity beyond his years, staying engaged whether or not he’s targeted.

“Flash has been emotionally really consistent,” Drinkwitz said, referring to Johnson. “If the ball’s not coming to him, he just finds ways to play forward.”

Which players are making leaps?

Gracial’s name resurfaced when Drinkwitz was asked which players have taken the biggest leap since spring ball. His physicality and presence at the line of scrimmage have caught the eyes of the coaching staff.

So has the development of redshirt sophomore Santana Banner, who pulled in an interception Saturday, and Ahmad Hardy, the transfer running back who continues to look at home in Missouri’s zone-heavy run scheme.

“He’s been awesome,” Drinkwitz said of Hardy. “Had a big-time run today on the left side. Just a great kid.”

Learning how to practice

Despite the steady energy throughout camp, Saturday’s session had its share of sloppy moments.

A few extended drives on defense, kept alive by avoidable penalties, stuck with Drinkwitz, as did what he sees as an ongoing adjustment for younger players.

“At the end of the day, these freshmen have got to learn how to practice,” Drinkwitz said. “All that talking in the summer really doesn’t matter. It’s about what you do on the field.”

He pointed to issues with tempo and attention to detail as things that need to improve quickly.

“To-line finish means to-line finish,” Drinkwitz said.

Mizzou scrimmage on deck

With the first scrimmage of camp scheduled for Monday, Missouri’s coaching staff will get its most extended look yet at how players handle game-like pressure.

Execution and discipline will be the two focal points.

Drinkwitz noted that two defensive penalties Saturday prolonged drives and led to touchdowns — the kind of lapses that turn close games into losses.

“It’s not really technique or fundamentals. It’s discipline stuff,” Drinkwitz said.

And with so many position battles still undecided, the full-speed reps ahead should help clarify the pecking order.

“That’s why we have tried to have more play periods,” Drinkwitz said. “Just put it down there and let’s see where we’re at.”

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