Missouri's Eli Drinkwitz On Facing Former Tiger Dominic Lovett in Georgia

When the Missouri Tigers take on the Georgia Bulldogs this weekend, they will also be facing off against one of their former players; junior wide receiver Dominic Lovett. The East St.Louis native spent the first two years of his college career in Columbia before transferring to Georgia following the 2022 season. During Wednesday's SEC football coaches teleconference, both Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz and Georgia head coach Kirby Smart commented on what Lovett has meant to both of their programs.

“I’m extremely proud of Dominic Lovett and what he meant to our program," Drinkwitz said. "Hopefully we had a hand in his growth and development as a player, and obviously he felt like it was in him and his family's best interest to try and go play somewhere else."

In his two years at Missouri, Lovett compiled 82 receptions for 1,019 yards and three touchdowns. In 2022, he led the Tigers in both catches (56) and receiving yards (846) and earned first-team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press.

"We knew he was an extremely talented player," Drinkwitz added. "He's gone on and embraced his role at Georgia. (He) appears to be an excellent player for them and I know coach Smart, whenever I've had a conversation with him, commented on how excited he was to have Dominic in his program and how much he's added value to that program, and that's great for him and we're really proud of him for that."

Lovett's former quarterback, Brady Cook, also praised his former receiver when speaking to reporters on Tuesday.

"That'll be fun seeing Domo again," Cook said. "I love that kid and he's a great player. It will be a little weird seeing him on the other sideline of course, for the other team, but I'm excited to see him."

Through eight games at Georgia, Lovett has 35 receptions for 365 yards, both the second most on the team behind tight end Brock Bowers. With Bowers missing time due to an ankle injury, Lovett has taken on an increased role in the Bulldogs' offense. His 83 receiving yards last weekend against Florida were a season high.

"He's been very impactful because he's got good speed," Smart said on Wednesday's call. "He brings a value of pass-catching ability from our conference, where it's tough, it's man-to-man, people get their hands on you ... He's given us the luxury of experience that we didn't have."

Lovett and the Bulldogs will look to continue their undefeated start to the season this Saturday when they host 7-1 Missouri for a 2:30 kickoff on CBS.