Florida Week Football Media Availability

Head coach Will Muschamp held his weekly news conference Tuesday afternoon. Players who spoke prior to him included T.J. Brunson, Chavis Dawkins, Tavien Feaster, Sherrod Greene, Ernest Jones, Javon Kinlaw, Kobe Smith and Donell Stanley.

HEAD COACH TRANSCRIPT

Will Muschamp | 4th Season

– We got Florida here at Williams-Brice, noon kick on Saturday, and I don’t need to do this but I am going to challenge our fans to be there early, be there loud. They make a difference for us, they help our football team and make it very difficult for another team to come into Williams-Brice, and that’s what really creates a huge home-field advantage for us, and we certainly appreciate them and the enthusiasm they help bring our football team when we play here at Williams-Brice. We’re excited about getting back home. Offensively, Dan does a really good job with the quarterback, he’s an outstanding play caller. Kyle Trask has taken over for unfortunately, Feleipe Franks was injured, but he’s done a really good job. He’s accurate with the football, he threw for over 300 yards Saturday night in Baton Rouge. But makes decisive decisions, gets the ball out quick. He’s got arm talent, and I’m just very impressed with what he has done and accomplished. The first game against Tennessee, first drive of the game, takes ’em right down the field and scores. So, been very impressed with him. Lamical Perine, the running back, has got a strong lower body, runs through contact, is a violent runner. Been very impressed with him. And Pierce and then Davis are good backs, as well. A very talented, big, and experienced group at the receiver position, Jefferson and Frankie, or excuse me, Josh Hammond, I coached his brother, Frankie. Swain, and all those guys, Grimes, Cleveland, all guys that have played a lot of football, really understand what they’re doing offensively. And emergence of Kyle Pitts at tight end, which is kind of a hybrid tight end/receiver, but has been very productive as far as leading them in reception, and big, and athletic on the offensive line. Defensively, Todd Grantham does a great job. Todd and I’ve been friends for a long time, and I think if you talk in terms of havoc on the football, probably Florida leads the country just as far as as batted balls, interceptions, he does a great job of creating issues for you offensively. And Zuniga and Greenard are two guys that have been very productive for him at the defensive end positions. They’re solid in the middle. Then, C.J. Henderson and Marco Wilson are two outstanding corners, as good of corners we’ll see this year. They can really cover and lock down outside, so really good players. And very talented specialist, Tommy Townsend, is an outstanding punter, and McPherson’s done a good job for him kicking the football. But injury-wise, Ryan practiced today. I think he’ll be fine for Saturday, and really, we don’t have any other injury situations as far as a that’s concerned, so I’ll open up for any questions.

– [Reporter] Will, with Ryan, he moved around well today, not wearing any extra brace?

– No, he wore a brace, but he’ll be fine.

– [Reporter] Also with Dakereon being the backup now, does he work any more receivers?

– We focused on quarterback at this time. Yep, sure have. And since he’s been back, as far as what’s best for our football team, and him right now, is just to solely get those reps, mm-hm.

– [Reporter] Have you faced Dan as much as you’ve faced any other play caller offensive guy in your career, you think?

– Well, I’ve only, probably ’06 and ’07, when I was at Auburn and he was at Florida. And then, ’16, when we were here at South Carolina, and he was at Mississippi State.

– [Reporter] The Auburn year, the one year at Auburn?

– And then one year at Auburn in ’15. Yeah, at Auburn. And then, ’16 here, and then last year, mm-hm. I mean, I wouldn’t say as much. I mean, Jim Chaney, and there’s a lot of guys that have been in our league a long time.

– [Reporter] How does preparation differ from a guy that you’re really familiar with, as you both, I imagine, sort of tweak and react to what the other guy did?

– You know, I just think Dan does a really good job of presenting issues. I think he sees the game from a defensive perspective, meaning knows that there’s some issues with different looks that he can give you. The run game is the run game, and their passing game is the pass game, but how they manipulate and get to those looks are going to be different each week. It’s kind of like preparing a little bit from the standpoint of, I guess the best example I could give you is they’re going to get to this run, I don’t know how they’re going to get to it, but I know they’re going to get to it. So, whatever window dressing’s created on game day, our players need to be able to adjust, and we need to adjust as a staff.

– [Reporter] The way they ran the ball in the second half last year, was that a scheme issue, or was that a fatigue issue?

– No, I think it was both. I think schematically we weren’t as gap-sound as we needed to be, and we’ve tried to rectify those issues. And, we weren’t as good as we needed to be defensively personnel-wise at that time of the season.

– [Reporter] Did you play more nickel than you, or 4-3, you remember, in that game?

– Probably 50/50, mm-hm, yep.

– [Reporter] Hey, Will. I think Lou Holtz once said that you never get the same 18, 19 year olds from week to week. I’m wondering how you approach sort of winning on the road, big game against Georgia, and then having your guys flush it the next week, getting back to Florida. How do you make sure that your guys do that?

– Well, I told the team this morning, in life, generally, you don’t always get what you want, but generally, you get what you deserve. And if you prepare right, and you prepare the right way, and you watch film the right way, and you workout, and you practice the right way, and you have the right kind of preparation and focus leading into game day. And then, all of that comes to fruition on game day, and you play well on game day, then you deserve the right, not saying you will, but you deserve the right to have to opportunity to win the game. If you don’t prepare the right way, and you basque in something that happened in your past, and you think about that and not think about the present now then you don’t deserve that right. So, there’s a difference between wanting something to happen and deserving it to happen, in my opinion. Every week is a season here, and we have certain things that we talk about all the time, you know? Leave No Doubt’s been in our locker room from day one, leave no doubt about your energy, your effort, your toughness, your discipline, your team-first mentality, and the opportunity, you’ve got to earn it every single day. And we have certain things that we talk about all the time in our organization, and every week’s a season for us. We’re going to pour our guts into Florida, and hopefully create the opportunity to deserve the right, have the right to win on game day.

– [Reporter] Will, Florida kind of rotates in two different quarterbacks back there. Just how do you go about preparing for that in practice? Is it just putting a running back in there at scout team quarterback if they have a mobile guy, or how does that kind of go?

– Well, we’re short some guys as far as having guys that could simulate that, to be honest with you. So, it’s a lot of recognition by our players, and obviously our staff, of who is in the game. They don’t change a lot, they really don’t. There’s quarterback run game with both guys, Kyle and Emery, and there’s throw game with both guys. There’s not a lot of drastic changes as far as what they do offensively when each guy’s in the game in my opinion. So, I think just understanding whose there in the situation.

– [Reporter] Will, you’ve probably coached a lot of great defensive backs who don’t get three interceptions in their career. When Israel does something like that, is that because he’s in the right positions, does he have good hands? I mean, what comes with a game like that?

– Well, I mean, I think I go back on the first interception. Javon Kinlaw created, he and Dennis Wonnum, a great pressure to the throwing hand of the quarterback, and that created duress, the ball was floated. Israel made a fantastic play on the ball, and obviously, returned it for a touchdown. Probably the best interception was the back shoulder ball, which is obviously some sort of miscommunication with the receiver and quarterback, and I don’t know whose fault it was. But, to be able to play that ball and make that interception was a pretty fantastic play. I take him through those interception drills everyday, and I think he’s really learned a lot from me. I’m kidding. Yeah, it’s called talent. So, it’s overcoming coaching is what I say. But, and then, the last one was a tipped ball, being in the right spot, and Jake threw it exactly where it was supposed to be, and the guy needs to catch the football, and he didn’t. And he was in the right place at the right time.

– [Reporter] I’m sure you’ve coached some great defensive lines in your time. Where does this one stack up?

– We’ll reflect when the season’s over about how we do. We need to continue to be consistent in what we’re doing, and I think that Kobe and Javon have both been very consistent. I think Dennis Wonnum has been very consistent, and we’ve got to continue to come on with the other guys. You know, Aaron’s playing well, J.J., Danny Fennell played well Saturday. The progress that Rick Sandidge and Zacch Pickens have made, I’ve been very impressed with. We need to get Jabari Ellis more involved in that front, and he certainly is a guy that’s more than capable to help us.

– [Reporter] How much do those guys, those younger guys, feed off somebody like Kinlaw when he’s playing at such a high level?

– Well, I think that number one, it starts at practice, and how guys prepare in the film room, and that’s the thing that I’ve seen Javon take his game to the next level as far as off the field preparation. Nutrition, eating the right way, working out in the weight room, in the film room watching film, studying his opponent. Coming in to us on a Monday, and saying, “Hey, man, I really like the match up here.” When you get those kind of back-and-forth from a player, that’s really important. And when a young player can see that, and see the buy in of what it takes to be a really good player, it’s not just about ability and it’s and just about talent. It takes a lot of things off the field to be successful in our league, and that’s where, to me, that he’s made the next step. And Kobe continues to get better, played his best game there on Saturday, in my opinion, since he’s been at South Carolina. But for those players to see the right example of the right way to do things is huge in your program when you start talking in terms of culture, and you start talk about tradition. And to be able to see those things instead of a coach saying it, and a player says it, it means a lot more.

– [Reporter] There were times through the first quarter of the season where you were upset with your secondary tackling coverage, things of that nature. How dramatically different do you feel about that group, especially after the way they played the last two games?

– Well, and I’m probably, there were some spots in the Missouri game a little bit because of snaps, but the last three ball games, we’ve improved and gotten better each week, and we’ve got to continue to improve. We got another huge challenge in front of us with this group Saturday. I mean, they’re very talented on the perimeter, and they’ve got a quarterback that’s playing extremely well, and a back that’s very difficult to tackle. So, we’ve improved, but we’ve always got room for improvement to continue to grow and get better.

– [Reporter] Will, with another noon game, I know some fans might not be thrilled about it, but your players felt like they’re at an advantage since you guys do practice early. As a coach, and even as a former player, do you feel like there is a benefit of being able to get a game going on pretty early on, and what are those advantages?

– Well, we’re up every morning. I mean, all of our guys are in the building by 6:30, and fired up about practice, and meetings, and all that stuff, you know? But, we look forward to it. We look forward to a noon kick. Any opportunity we get to play in Williams-Brice, our guys will be excited about it.

– [Reporter] A few days after watching Dakereon do what he did against Georgia, what do feel like you learned about him watching him thrown in there in that kind of situation?

– I fully expected him to play extremely well, and I fully expected him to take command of our offense. I fully expected him to do exactly what he did and help us win a football game.

– [Reporter] But what does it say about him as a kid that was ready to do that?

– Well, I mean, he’s got natural leadership ability. He positively affects people around him. That’s who he is as a person, and I think that you can develop that to a certain degree, but some people have what I call “the it factor,” and he has “the it factor” as far as those things are concerned in my opinion.

– [Reporter] Will, what has Donell Stanley meant to you as an anchor on the offensive line as kind of a leader to those young quarterbacks this year?

– Well, Donell has just been, thinking back to 2016, our first game, I think it was on the first play of the game against Vanderbilt, he has the ankle injury, which is a pretty severe injury. The put the ankle cord surgery, he plays, I think it was, the next eight to 10 snaps, and there’s no way he probably could’ve been standing up. He’s got great toughness, he has outstanding leadership ability, he’s a really good football player, but he’s an even better person off the field. And he’s one of the guys I really lean on on this football team as far as to gauge where we are from fatigue, to gauge where we are mindset-wise, to gauge how things are going. And that’s really important as a coach to have, and I’ve got multiple guys to have that, to have that in a leader on our football team. He’s going to be honest with me, and tell me like it is, whether I want to hear it or not, and I really appreciate him for that.

– [Reporter] Will, when you guys decided to go 4-3 for your base defense, how did that meeting go? Was it you and T-Rob, did somebody bring it up? Just how did that decision come about?

– Sitting by myself in the Missouri locker room figuring out what we needed to do to get better, and that was just in my mind, knowing that Sherrod Greene has played better than the other guys we were putting in the game at the time. And we need to adapt some things defensively and make some adjustments.

– [Reporter] Did you come in Sunday and say, “This is what we’re doing?”

– This is what we’re doing.

– [Reporter] How do you balance allowing Hilinski’s knee to get better, getting enough reps to be ready for Florida, and are you adjusting the amount of reps that Dakereon gets as a second team guy?

– Yeah, absolutely, and I think that that’s really kind of up to our medical staff. They tell me what they think he can and can’t do, and then we’ve got to obviously ask Ryan, and he just got to be honest with us, and tell us, “Hey, this I what I feel good about, and this is what I feel like I can do, and what I can’t do.” So, those are things we’ll continue to gauge as the week moves on, but we feel pretty good where he is right now.

– [Reporter] You know, Will, as most of your Florida players have gone onto graduate, or gone onto the NFL, has it gotten easier for you, you think, to play them moving forward?

– No, because they got a good team. Again, it is what it is. They got three brothers down there, Tommy, the punter, I coached his brother, Johnny, in the Townsend family, and then you’ve got Marco with Coach Quincy. And I remember sitting in the living room there with Chad and Carmen down in South Florida, and Marco was about that tall in the living room there. And they got all their athleticism from Carmen, not the dad, Chad, that’s for sure. He played at Miami. And then, Frankie Hammond, Josh’s brother, what a great play in 2012. We’re up there at Knoxville, and Jeff threw a curl right there to Frankie, and broke two tackles, and took it about 65 yards for a touchdown, huge win for us. But, you know again, at the end of the day, I had a wonderful experience there, but I’m glad we’re at South Carolina, and looking forward to game day. They got a good team, so it’s always hard.

– [Reporter] It seems like from a reading recognition standpoint, your defense is playing faster right now the last couple of games. Would you agree with that, and if so, what’s kind of made it that way?

– You know, John, I think that I don’t know that necessarily we did too much, but I think we have narrowed some things down that we feel like our players do extremely well, and when our players feel comfort. And I think sometimes as a coach, you need to be able to take input from your players, and I think that myself, number one, and our staff, number two, have done a really good job of identifying what our players feel comfortable playing. And again, it all goes back, in my opinion, to comfort level as a player, whether it’s playing quarters or playing three deep, playing man-to-man pressure situations. What pass rush do we like? All of those things. And I think our players have identified some things that they feel more comfortable with in playing with. And then, with a comfort level, you’re going to play faster, and instead of thinking, you’re reacting. And you’ve got to do that on defense. You start thinking on defense with the speed that we face week-to-week, week in and week out, you’ll get burned.

– [Reporter] This has nothing to do with the Florida game per se, but given the fact who has won the Booby Dodd Trophy over the years, to be up for it after yesterday’s announcement, your thoughts on that?

– Well, I credit our staff and our players, and that’s the bottom line. You know, as a head coach, you get way too much credit when there’s a big win. There’s a lot of people that obviously contributed to that game, and I really appreciate all of them.

– [Reporter] Catapult numbers told you that you guys had 14 guys that hit their max speed in the fourth quarter overtime against Georgia. What does that say about this teams conditioning midway through the season?

– Well, I think we’ve been in really, we haven’t, other than maybe a handful of issues cramp-wise, all season. I think we had a really good summer as far as conditioning was concerned. In those situations, I’ve felt that way all through the season. I think the breakdowns we’ve had didn’t have anything to do with the conditioning in my opinion, especially earlier in year with some of the inconsistencies we played with. But, I think we’ve had good strength gains in the weight room, we’ve had strength gains during the season in the weight room, and I think Jeff and the staff have done a fantastic job.

– [Reporter] Sorry to pull you back to your Florida tenure for a second, but what are your memories of your last game as Florida’s coach against South Carolina? What are the things that stick with you from that day?

– We got a punt blocked. I appreciate your bringing it up. No, you know, had a punt blocked, had a field goal blocked there. In the situation, it’s amazing, we talk about situational football all the time. I’m trying to remember exactly the time, it was right under a minute or right above a minute in the game, ball was on about the 42, 43 yard line. We had always talked in terms of game situations of taking a safety slow, but there was too much time left on the clock, and obviously, you got a guy like Pharoh back there returning, and we felt like we needed to get in some sort of coverage unit situation knowing that they were going to sell out for the block. But, those are the two things that jump in my head. Not taking the quarterback, Dylan Thompson, on a freaking zone read, how about that? Seeing him run in the end zone.

– [Reporter] Javon Kinlaw’s not the kind of guy who is going to boast about himself, he’s kind of bashful in front of us. Do you think he realizes the kind of impact he’s had with his play this year, and how do you get the max impact out of him each week?

– You know, just challenging him each week to be consistent. Consistency’s really, really, important as you continue to move forward in your career, and that’s something that I think he’s really challenged himself to be a consistent guy, to be a great practice guy every single day out, to put the work in, to deserve to have the right to play well on game day, to win the games. So, and I think that’s something that his consistency has been very evident throughout the first six games of the year, and he’s got to continue that.

– [Reporter] Will, after the game on ESPN, you hit upon it a little bit talking about the impact Joyner has been able to do, and just how proud you are of him. What message do you think that sends to some of these other guys in terms of, I know he’s only been here for two years, but some of these younger guys that they’re still coming up through, and just being able to be ready? ‘Cause, like you guys talk about all the time, next man up.

– Well, you never know when your number’s going to be called, that’s the bottom line. And it says something about, obviously, his mom, and his stepdad, they’re great people, and been raised right, and he has all of the leadership ability you want. And to be able to have the loyalty to University of South Carolina, to stick it out, and see how things are going to go. You know, not every time adversity strikes, take your ball and go home. And unfortunately, in our society, that’s a little bit about what’s happening now. And my hat’s off to Kyle Trask. Here’s a guy that went through a coaching change, and didn’t win the job, and was a graduate, could’ve transferred, could’ve been eligible immediately somewhere else, and stuck it out. And all the sudden, he’s got an opportunity to be the starting quarterback. So, you know again, it says a lot about those guys and their character.

– [Reporter] Will, Bryan, Shi, your tight ends have all played great. Is it bothersome to you that you haven’t really found that third wide receiver? Do you really need one at this point?

– Yeah, I mean, we’ve got to continue to progress in the passing game, and that certainly is going to be able to develop for us. I think Kyle Markway has played extremely well the last two seasons, and I think Nick Muse’s emergence and match up issues, ’cause when he’s in the game, are we in an attached set, and are you going to stay in base personnel, or are you going to go to nickel personnel? That helps us call the game, obviously. And he creates issues in the slot. He made a heck of a catch on third down the other night. So, he’s been a guy that’s continued to progress, especially just showing up August 1 to start camp and learning the offense. But there’s no question that Chavis Dawkins has done some really nice things for us, Josh Vann had a couple nice runs in the last two ball games, but we’ve got to continue. Xavier Legette’s a young guy that we keep bringing along that’s doing some good job for us on special teams. So we’ve got to continue to develop there, yeah.

– [Reporter] And where is OrTre in that? Is that knee still?

– OrTre? Yeah, you know what? Yeah, OrTre is fine. The knee’s, that was a very serious surgery, and he’s also had a little bit of a hamstring, he got dinged in the, oh, shoot, the Kentucky game, I believe it was, or the Missouri game with a shoulder. He didn’t miss any time, he practiced, and he’s pushing through it. He’s a really good football player, and you think back to his first year when he was healthy, and how he played for us, he played big time for us. And we expect that to continue to evolve as we move forward. But, when you do have a serious surgery like he had, it is a setback a little bit. And I think it set him back, he’s not as fast as he wants to be at times. But it’s a process you’ve got to work through, and he continues to work through it, and we need for him to continue to come on, and I know he wants to.

– [Reporter] Marcus Lattimore will be inducted into the Hall of Fame Thursday night. What has he meant to your program?

– Well I don’t know how much time you have, but just probably a lot of things I don’t see, and then a large majority of things that I do see, and how he positively affects everyone in that locker room. And his office is right there by our nutrition hub where all of our players eat breakfast in the morning, and all of our players eat lunch before they leave the building. Every time I walk by his office, there’s a player or two, or three, or four sitting in his office talking to him, whether it’s about adversity, something going on at home, or just talking. So many of the things that he has done in our state, number one, but in our community, for the University of South Carolina, and promoting the University of South Carolina and the Gamecock brand, and how he represents us in a first class manner. But, for me personally, a great friendship that I’ve developed with Marcus, and just how much he’s made a difference in this program as a player, obviously, but moving forward, as a mentor to a lot of people in this building.

– [Reporter] It seems like through this season, your guys tackling has improved a good bit. What kind of goes into that? How hard is that to, in season, improve tackling to that level? And have you seen, do a lot of teams get that kind of turnaround, or are those relatively rare?

– You know, I think I said it after the game, I wish I could tell you there’s some fancy drill that we’ve done that’s helped us tackle better, but we work on tackling every single day, every single practice. I think some guys have willed themselves to improve a little bit, to want to stick their face in the fan, so to speak, and like it, and wrap up, and have the proper technique, and kind of buy in to that part of it. But, you know again, I don’t know. That’s something we work on a lot, we worked on throughout training camp every single day, and I think guys have maybe understanding of angles, and scheme, and where they are on the ball, those sort of things. And we’ve played really good backs in our last two ball games. So we’ve got to continue to improve, and you’re only as good as your last outing, and we’ll have another opportunity on Saturday.

– [Reporter] I know that he wasn’t able to travel with you to Georgia, but how different is it having Jake here for Ryan and Dakereon both after the game that they had this week?

– He’s in every meeting, and his experience as a freshman, his experience in three years has certainly been beneficial for the entire room, as far as both Ryan, Dakereon, and Jay. As far as, “Guys, this is what I see, and this what we’ve been, and this happened to me, I went through that.” It’s easier when you have a peer to talk to as opposed to a coach in my opinion.

– [Reporter] Recruits don’t choose a school based on one game, but what can a win against a top five team like Georgia do on the recruiting trail in terms of just showing progress and things like that?

– Well, I think what you just said, the word is progress, you know? You keep talking about doing some great things, and sometimes they’ve got to see the results, they’ve got to see that progress. So, I think the word you said is best, is progress. You know, you’ve seen some progress to be able to go beat a really good team on the road, mm-hm.

– [Reporter] Will, speaking about Jake again, how’s his progress going, his recovery, and is there any change to that time table where maybe, in a bowl situation, he may be, he might find himself eligible?

– No, I don’t know about that. The time table I’ve been told is non-weight bearing for three months, and that obviously would put him out of any bowl game situation. And really, not being cleared from anywhere from five to six months as far as fully cleared for activity with the lisfranc, so that’s what I would know.

– [Reporter] Will has just talked about the importance of being able to show recruits the progress that you’re making. What about for some of your younger guys, and maybe even some of your veterans who are down about the way the season has been going, but after knocking off a third-ranked Georgia team on the road, what affect will they have?

– Well, I think that you don’t win that game unless you have belief in the organization, and you have belief in the coaching staff, you have belief in what you’re doing, there’s no way you have a chance to overcome adversity on the road against a really good football team. So that’s resonated within our team. I do agree that, with young players, ’cause they start wondering a little bit about the process, and how this works, and “I’m not playing much. How is this going to go? I’m going to go into the off season program.” And, you know, “These coaches aren’t exactly the same guys that recruited me.” I mean, all of that’s going through their mind, and that’s part of it. And then, when they’re able to be a part of something like that, they say, “Okay, this is why we practice the way we practice. I understand now why we do these drills. I understand now why we actually have to watch film.” And then, you kind of help yourself as far as the message is concerned, with your football team.

– [Reporter] When Ryan was hurt, just what kind of a presence was he on the sideline? What kind of a personality was he there even though he was sitting kind of back for most of it?

– You know, I was kind of focused on the field at the time.

– [Reporter] Will, you had Ellis on your analyst staff for a while, and I’m sure you’re pleased with the folks that you have there now. But at some point, would you ever like to get an older, veteran sage-type guy on offense that could maybe help a young coordinator?

– Yeah, Dan Werner, whose our quarterback coach, has done a really nice job for us.

– [Reporter] I mean, as an analyst, like some of these teams have these former head coaches, et cetera?

– You know, with all due respect, more’s not better for me. We’ve got a lot of really good ideas in the room, and we’ve got a lot of really good coaches in the room, and I like where we are at this time. And obviously, I’m always in evaluation of what we do, and where we are, and what we need to do to improve in all three phases, in the recruiting part of it, the PR standpoint of it. I mean, I’m in constant evaluation of our program. But yeah, we’re always looking to improve and get better, sure.

PLAYER TRANSCRIPT

T.J. Brunson | Senior | LB

– [Reporter] How much do you think the switch to a 4-3 personnel has helped you guys as a total defense?

– You know I’m not really sure. The coaches felt like that was the best way to get the better guys or the best guys on the field at the same time. So, I think that it’s working out in our favor and we just have to keep moving with our momentum.

– [Reporter] What do you remember about that meeting? Did T-Rob, or Will come in and say, “This is what we’re doing.” Was it just some kind of throw down the gauntlet statement?

– We kind of eased into it as a defense. And then once I guess the coaches realized that’s what they wanted to do, it was kind of a constant for us.

– [Reporter] For you personally, T.J., was Georgia your best game this year?

– Yeah, I think so, for sure.

– [Reporter] Just what led into that? What weren’t you doing the first five games that you did in that one?

– Really the biggest thing was just preparation and just going out there with a chip on our shoulder or especially for me. Just going out there wanting to be the best each snap.

– [Reporter] To see a defensive play like that, is that confirmation that you were doing some things right and now you’ve results to go with that? As opposed to when you were losing games and maybe still making some plays and doing things. How important was it to win this past week, as confirmation that you’re doing it right.

– Yeah, for us, just playing all four quarters and understanding the execution side of things and how that plays into games. At the end of the day we ended up with a win because of our effort and the way that we prepared and everything and just executed on the things that we’ve worked on.

– [Reporter] T.J., you’re a hometown guy. How have the last couple days been around town? And how do you keep the excitement from denting your focus this week?

– We had 24 hours to enjoy the win. But just around town, there’s a lot of excitement and things. It was a big win and everything, but for us in here we’re focused on Florida this week and getting back in the, getting ready to keep the momentum going and go out there and play some good ball.

– [Reporter] T.J., how do you personally move on from a big win like that?

– Like I said, you get a day. In our case, we had a little bit more than a day, but you just enjoy it and you get to reflect on it a little bit. The season isn’t over with. That was one game and we have to keep finishing and keep playing for the rest of the year.

– [Reporter] As a senior leader, how do you make sure that other guys have that same mindset?

– You just let the guys know, yeah it was a good win and you can’t dwell on the past, you have to focus on the next game and the future. You can’t be too high off of your highs and everything, so I think as a message just from the seniors and on down, guys understand that we need to go in the rest of this week and prepare for the game that we have coming up.

– [Reporter] How well is your defensive line playing right now and how big of an impact is that on the success of the linebackers?

– Those guys are playing lights out. They’re physical, striking up front, setting the line of scrimmage. They’re being very disruptive and it makes playing linebacker a lot easier when those guys get and push up front and making things happen.

– [Reporter] T.J., Florida likes to rotate two quarterbacks kind of in and out. How difficult does that make to prepare for them?

– You just understand what their guys like to do and when whichever one comes in, what to expect and things like that. Just through watching film and stuff throughout the week. We’ll have a good feel about that and I think T-Rob will make the right calls and things like that. So, I don’t think that’s a big issue for us.

– [Reporter] Does it help that you guys have really gone against three QBs in practice yourselves this year?

– Yeah. Yeah, it definitely helps out. You kind of understand that offenses normally having a little shakeup or something to mix things up. You get used to seeing different guys.

– [Reporter] I know you guys can’t hit him, but how was Ryan looking today as you pursued him?

– He was limited but he was out there and everything’s looking good. I’m sure he’ll be ready to go.

– [Reporter] T.J. from a reading/recognition standpoint, it seems like ya’ll are playing faster on defense here lately the last two games. Is that accurate?

– Really just confidence and everything and trusting each other, playing together as a defense and playing off of each other. That’s the biggest thing really, just executing and understanding what the next person is going to do.

– [Reporter] T.J. what do you remember about Florida’s offensive scheme last year?

– They got us with a couple scheme things, they outnumbered us on the edge.

– [Reporter] In the run game?

– In the run game. Got a lot of things off the edge and stuff, but that was the biggest thing. I think that we will make the right adjustments for that.

– [Reporter] Do you remember if you played more 4-3 or nickel in that game?

– I think we played a lot more nickel in that game.

– [Reporter] This year you’ve sort of gone back to a 4-3 as more of your base or in the last few games. Do you think that will have an impact?

– I am sure like I don’t go into that that much but I figured with the stuff that we worked on today and everything that the coaches have a good plan going into this game. We know the things that they beat us on last year, so we are trying not let last year beat us this year too. We’ll watch the film from this year and see what they have new and we’ll make the adjustments and play off of that.

– [Reporter] T.J. who is scout team quarterback this week? Are you rotating two guys in preparing for two different quarterbacks on scout team?

– Not really.

– [Reporter] Have you ever put a running back in there at quarterback for more mobile guys. I think Ernest said something about that.

– Sometimes it just depends on who it is.

– [Reporter] T.J. I know you use the word anxious sometimes when you have to play maybe a night game cause you are sitting around the hotel all day, being able to play a noon game, do you think that’s actually beneficial for this team because it feels that you guys do play a little bit looser.

– You know we practice in the mornings so a lot of guys practice in the afternoons so it takes them a little bit to wake up and get ready for a noon game. But I don’t think it really matters for us just the fact at least with the hotels and stuff you don’t have to hang around the hotel all day, compared to a night game. But noon game, night game it doesn’t really matter.

– [Reporter] Is your routine personally changed at all how do you try to fill it compared to if you are just playing at noon?

– I’d have to say the noon games, you definitely have to get up a little bit earlier and start faster and move faster just because the game is right there. But besides that the actual things that I do don’t really change much.

– [Reporter] Have you spent much time with Marcus Lattimore during your career here?

– Yes I talk to him, I talk to him a lot.

– [Reporter] He’s going into the Hall of Fame Thursday, what’s something that you’ve learned from him or what kind of impacts did he have on you as a person and as a player?

– Just to, the biggest thing that I’ve gotten from him is resiliency. Life isn’t fair, it’s just all about how you react, how you respond to things and just how you like, adversity reveals a man to himself. I think that he’s one of those guys who can sit there and really, really understand what that means and he’s always come in here with a positive attitude and tried to help guys further themselves as people and stuff. He’s been a big help to me and to the program and everything.

– [Reporter] As a local kid did you get a chance to watch him when you were growing up? Was he somebody you looked up to the way he played?

– Yes, he was a beast on the field for sure but you always hear about him off the field, what type of person he was and got to meet him one time after a game, but he’s always been a pretty genuine guy and someone who is always, he’s just been a positive influence.

– [Reporter] T.J. when your defense is playing fast, does it, how does it help you? Is it big plays, better tackling, what’s the result of ya’ll playing faster?

– Just playing fast, the biggest thing that I can say is you don’t think as much. You read your keys and everything, you make a decision, you pull the pin and I think that helps us a lot because not only do we make more plays but we get off the field. That’s the big thing for us, getting off the field on third down so.

– [Reporter] Did anything change from a play calling standpoint or a scheme when ya’ll started playing a little bit faster? Was it more just ya’ll playing your assignments better?

– It’s playing our assignments better, understanding the details of our assignments and things like that.

– [Reporter] T.J., sorry if you’ve already been asked this, but do you feel like you are playing the best ball of your career at this point?

– Yeah, I think so.

– [Reporter] What do you feel has kind of gone into that and kind of locked you in these last few weeks?

– Just experience over the past couple of years. Everyone is playing hard and making it a lot easier for me to make plays and all I have to do is execute on those things. Guys are flying around and making it easier for me to do my job so.

– [Reporter] How much of a relief is it when the tackling comes together kind of the way it has kind of after the way the season kind of started?

– It’s huge, you see the difference between missing a couple tackles and making those couple tackles. You get off the field and you stop big drives from happening. It’s a lot better playing as a defense, it turns out a lot better for you .

– [Reporter] What has it been like watching Sherrod’s resilience in the fact that he was a starter last year it was kind of up and down, and loses his starting spot. But to kind to be able to come back the way he has, filling the role he has?

– He’s a fighter, I don’t think that has ever been a question, he’s a guy who is going to come out and give it a 110 percent. He’s always going to find a way, it wasn’t really a surprise for me or I don’t think it was a surprise for anyone else in that room, in the LB room but he’s just come out and he’s proven himself and he’s been consistent. We’re just waiting for him to just keep playing and elevating his game and everything. He is doing a great job so far.

– [Reporter] What’s it been like for you and your teammates just going from a couple of weeks ago, people were ready to write off your season and now you guys beat Georgia.

– It’s just outside noise. At the end of the day people don’t really what we have going on in the building. What goes on in between these walls I’m sure people didn’t write us off and I’m sure they’re still writing us off but We’re just going to focus on what we can do and keep going out week by week and putting our best ball on tape.

– [Reporter] There were some catapult numbers released yesterday about you guys being in the 90th percentile in the fourth quarter and in overtime in terms of team speed. What does that say about the conditioning of this team in the fourth quarter and overtime against a team like that?

– Coach Dillman and his staff, I think we did a really good job throughout this summer going into fall camp with being conditioned, well conditioned. Just being mentally tough and we know that we’re going to have to play four quarters when we play guys. So, going into the fourth quarter and still being strong mentally and physically, I think that comes from, it stems from the workouts during the summer and just how we practice during fall camp.

PLAYER TRANSCRIPT

Chavis Dawkins | Senior | WR

– [Reporter] What is the role that you feel like you kind of carved out on this team as a senior?

– I mean just knowing what to do, knowing how, to knowing how to practice, knowing how to go out there and play hard and fast with the Xs and just pretty much that’s it.

– [Reporter] What does it mean when your head coach refers to you as kind of a steady guy in that group?

– I mean it means a lot. I mean I know I still got some more work to do, but I mean that definitely means a lot coming from him.

– [Reporter] Chavis how much confidence do you guys have now after the Georgia win?

– I mean we’re always confident. I mean it was a great win, but it’s time to get back to work and focus on Florida.

– [Reporter] Will mentioned that you got to follow this up now. Just how tough of a challenge is Florida? Considering that defense and that they’re coming off two pretty tough games.

– Yeah I mean Florida is a great defense, but I mean we play great defenses every week. So it’s just another week. We just got to get better.

– [Reporter] How’d Ryan move around out there today?

– He looked well.

– [Reporter] How do you personally move on from a win like that and kind of turn the page?

– I mean 24-hour rule ’round here. So I mean it was great, riding back with the guys, enjoying it, but I mean it’s time to focus on Florida now.

– [Reporter] So you allow yourself to sort of celebrate that night, but then come Sunday you’re locked into Florida?

– Got to focus on Florida.

– [Reporter] Is this the best you’ve felt in terms of your game since you’ve been here?

– Yeah definitely, yeah.

– [Reporter] What’s that feeling like for you knowing that you’re kind of playing pretty consistently and pretty well?

– I mean it feels good. I mean I’ve been putting in a lot of work, so it’s finally showing up, so I’m happy about that.

PLAYER TRANSCRIPT

Tavien Feaster | Senior | RB

– [Reporter] Tavien, how do you personally move on from such a big win like that on Saturday?

– Um, flush it, you know, coach tells us every week it’s a new season, so that’s we got to prepare like and that’s what we got to do is just, you know, celebrate, you know, on Saturday like we did and just move on.

– [Reporter] As a senior, how do you make sure that your guys do the same thing?

– Uh, just come out there and just lead by example. Just, you know, in the meeting room and outside on the practice field just just, you know, get the game plan and show them that I’m focused on Florida.

– [Reporter] As a playmaker, you’ve got a quarterback that’s a little…not 100 percent, is a little nicked up, what do you have to do to help Ryan have success on the sideline?

– Um, just go out there and play, make plays when the ball come my way, and my number’s called, and then go out there and just go full speed the whole game.

– [Reporter] What did you see from Ryan today in practice, did he look pretty- are they limiting him too?

– Oh, no. He look real good today in practice, you know, he got a little banged up, but you know, he’ll be ready for Saturday.

– [Reporter] Tavien, were you a little banged up at the end of the Georgia game?

– Aw, nah. I was good to go. You know, it’s coach’s decision, coach Brown’s decision, on who’s to play; all I do is go in there and play ball. When my number’s call, make plays.

– [Reporter] Florida shut down Auburn pretty well, LSU they gave up a chunk of points; how much does that give you guys confidence that you can go in and gash that defense?

– This is a really good defense we’re going to play against, the defensive line is very, very good, so we’ve just got to go in there, you know, stick to the game plan and, you know, hit it full speed.

– [Reporter] You have been a part of a lot of big victories with the team you played with previously; what was it like experiencing that Saturday with this team?

– Oh, it was great, you know, to be a part of something like this, you know, we started off a little rocky at the beginning of the season, but, you know, just showed us how good of a team we can be.

– [Reporter] How important will pass pro be for these running backs be because Florida like to blitz a whole lot, how much have you focused on that?

– We always focus on that a lot every week, you know, they’ve got some good linebackers, they’re going to bring it and we got to be ready and, you know, all the disguises, we got to just be ready for it.

– [Reporter] Tavien, what’s the key to being consistent every week for this team to make sure that, even if you don’t have the same type of performance you’ve had against Georgia, you come close to it?

– Just go out there and practice, you know? It’s all about how you practice, preparation; just go out there and give it your all every day; make every day count.

– [Reporter] Tavien, we talk about this with your teammates, we talk about being able to play these games a little bit early, it’s easier to get into a routine; do you think that is easy? Do you guys feel like you play a little bit looser?

– Yes sir, I mean obviously we practice in the morning so we’ll be up, ready to go for the 12 o’clock game.

– How does that change your routine sometimes, compared to if you had to play a six o’clock game?

– It changes a little bit but we’ll usually be up early.

– [Reporter] If Dakereon does have to play some major good snaps Saturday, just what have you seen out of him growth-wise these last couple of weeks?

– He’ll be ready. He comes out there, gives us his all every day at practice. He prepares like he’s going to start every week, that’s all you can ask out of him, and you know, when his number’s call he’s going to make plays.

– [Reporter] What was it like watching him get thrown into that situation Saturday?

– I was excited for him. You know, just a guy, you know, who has been working with, waiting on this opportunity, you know, I’ve been in that position before so, you know, I was definitely excited for him.

– [Reporter] I think Donell said that he was kind of mad that he didn’t get to pick a song after the celebration against Georgia, and you guys beat Florida You think he’ll be able to pick a song in the locker room?

– Yes sir, he can pick any song he want to.

– Thank you.

– [Reporter] What kind of a personality is Chavis Dawkins in this locker room?

– Chavis, he’s really a laid back guy. But obviously he goes out there, you know, he gives his all every week no matter what his job is on the field but he’s a pretty laid back guy, pretty cool guy.

– [Reporter] Is he sort of like a model player, in the sense that his job at one time doesn’t necessarily involve a ball coming his way, but he seems to do all those other jobs.

– Right.

– [Reporter] with a lot of effort

– Definitely, definitely. He’s the guy when you turn on the tape he, you know, he might not catch 100 balls a year, even 10 a game, but he’s a guy when you turn on the film, you’re going to see him playing, blocking, you know, special teams, he’s going to give it his all every time he’s out there.

PLAYER TRANSCRIPT

Sherrod Greene | Junior | LB

– [Reporter] What do you remember about T-Rob’s and Will’s decision to go to the 4-3? What was the decision like? What did they tell all you guys?

– It was pretty much about all week, trying to see if the sam or nickel, whether or not we have them, like either them two out there on the field. They stated I won the competition as far as I can play in open space and it keeps me on the field and it also help with the run game, so.

– [Reporter] Did they sit you down and say we want to give you more on the field, that’s why we’re going to this?

– Basically they said learn what to do so they put me on the field. So yeah. That’s what I did, focus in all week, so came out and paid off for me.

– [Reporter] It seems like you’ve gotten more and more comfortable in it. Just how was the adjustment at first?

– First it was a little rough, because I ain’t played sam in like, since my sophomore year. But I mean it’s turned out pretty good. I’m getting used to it, so. I’m starting to get more confident every day now. So, hopefully it just pays off this week coming up too.

– [Reporter] For you, what has the experience like of, you know, having been in the starting line up last year, losing that spot, and then all of a sudden getting this sort of second lease on stuff with this change to more 4-3?

– Say it again?

– [Reporter] What has it been like, kind of going through this last year when, you know, you were a starter last year and then you weren’t for the first half of the year and now you’re kind of getting more of a chance again?

– Just uh, with me all I had to do was like just time, is like, time part of it. Just trying to get used to the game and all that. Trying to learn how to play fast and play with confidence. I’m starting to have more confidence each and every week now. I’m just trying to keep moving forward and just keep putting pressure on me to just to keep getting better every week.

– [Reporter] How much did you play against Florida last year?

– Sir?

– [Reporter] How much did you play against Florida last year?

– I played a lot. Pretty much the whole game.

– [Reporter] What do you remember about their offensive scheme and the way that they attacked you?

– They’re going to run the ball a lot. Just like Georgia. They probably pass a little bit more but I mean, the same, we’re going to have the same game plan every week just to stop the run and hopefully we can allow our corners to play, you know, some of the big coverage, so–

– [Reporter] How do you, I’m sorry man. How do you personally move on from such a big win like that on Saturday?

– We just treat every game the same. Obviously it was a big game for us, but we just got to move on to next week and plan on beating this team, Florida.

– [Reporter] How do you make sure that your teammates do the same thing? v – Just practice, good practice habits, have good practice habits ’cause the way you practice the way you going to play in the game. That’s something coach always tells us.

– [Reporter] Speaking of practice, what has practice been like since the big Georgia win?

– It’s been good. First day of practice, I say, was a good practice for us. We got everybody healthy, so, we’re full, looking back for a full stat line.

– [Reporter] What about just the mood and maybe the enthusiasm level?

– I mean, players a little banged up but that’s a part of football. I mean, shoot, you have to deal with it.

– [Reporter] Sherrod, What have you seen out of Florida’s two quarterbacks? Seems like they’re rotating two guys in.

– Sir?

– [Reporter] Their two quarterbacks. What have you seen out of Florida’s two quarterbacks?

– I know one of them can run better than the other. They most likely have number 11 in pretty much the whole game, so all our attention will probably be going to him mostly and the second quarterback that they have also.

– [Reporter] Who’s scout team quarterback this week?

– Scout team?

– [Reporter] Yeah, Corbett Glick?

– I think so. Yeah.

– [Reporter] When you have a mobile guy at quarterback, I think Ernest said you guys put a running back in at quarterback sometimes if the guy is pretty known as a runner, is that accurate?

– Oh yeah to practice on wildcat and stuff like that. Like, people that we put in quarterback as far as like the wildcat formation is like people like ‘Kereon ’cause you know he’s fast and stuff like that. So, having him out there during practice is a good look for us.

– [Reporter] Donell said that he doesn’t get to pick the music after wins Is there, if you guys pull off another upset or anything like that, do you think you’ll give him a song?

– Oh yeah, we’ll give him a song. I’m sure he’ll play a little country music. But, yeah he can have that.

– [Reporter] Some of your teammates have been talking about being able to practice early, might be one of the reasons why you guys have been able to play so well when you have these noon games. How much easier is it in terms of just being able to get a routine when you play early compared at night?

– Not really, just have to wake up with your piss hot. You know, get ready for the game. So the coach always tell us. But yeah, I mean, pretty much treat every game the same. I mean, it’s not really a difference between the noon games and the afternoon games. So, I mean, we just happen to be on point this game.

– [Reporter] You don’t feel like you’re at Fort Knox sometimes in those home night games in the hotels?

– Ah nah, nah, nah, nah.

– [Reporter] Was there one play or one moment in Saturday’s game when you knew that, hey, this is going to be a dominating day for the defense?

– Oh, from the jump. From the jump. The way that we was stopping the run, we knew they was going to have to deal with our whole, our front line the whole game, ’cause them boys, our front is something serious to handle, so. We knew coming into the game that we had a good opportunity to win.

– [Reporter] You feel like you’re playing your best ball of your career right now?

– I believe so. I’m playing more fast and confident, so. I’m having fun doing what I do.

– [Reporter] How good does that feel to say?

– It feels good, yes.

– [Reporter] How much does the experience on the weak side help you with some of the stuff you have to do on the strong side? Is there a lot of translation from one spot to the other?

– Not really, because, I’ve, knowing since I’ve been here I’m going to play all three positions. So, as far as linebacker. So I pretty much know the whole defense. But I mean, it’s a good thing for me just knowing that I can play anywhere on the field. I’m starting to learn all three positions now so they can basically put me anywhere when they need me. So I’m just really doing anything I can to help the team win.

– [Reporter] Are you a little more comfortable in that strong side spot setting edges, that kind of stuff?

– Yeah because I can play more open in the space and stuff like that.

PLAYER TRANSCRIPT

Ernest Jones | Sophomore | LB

– [Reporter] How much did the move to the 4-3 package help you guys as a complete defense?

– I think we were able to you know find a way to get our best guys out there on the field, the best way to stop the run was for us to be you know with three linebackers adding Sherrod into the mix and getting rid of one of the you know the smaller corners nickels so that helped.

– [Reporter] Do you remember the talk from T-Rob or Will? Who said what was the meeting like when they came in and said, “this is what we’re going to do.”

– I mean they just told us as of right now that’s how we’re playing our best brand of football, best brand of defense right now. Having that extra linebacker and Sherrod’s speed and being able you know go down the line and tackle some of these backs behind the line, stuff like that, setting edges perimeter stuff.

– [Reporter] Before they told you could you kind of feel that a little bit when Sherrod was out there that things were going maybe a little better?

– Yeah just during the games when we were suppose to be predominately nickel he would just be out there a little bit more when we were running our nickel stuff so I kind of figured that’s where things were headed.

– [Reporter] How much was a pick me up was last weekend’s game doing things the right way now you get results to go with that?

– Oh yeah, it was definitely you know about time for us you know the past three or four weeks we’ve been you know fine tuning the details thing just making sure we do our job and that’s the only focus we’ve had and to come out Saturday and get a big win that was real big for the defense, this team, everyone in the community it was just a overall big win.

– [Reporter] Consistency has been a problem you know this season, how much of Saturday’s win has carried over into practice this week and are you confident that you can put on the same performance Saturday against Florida?

– Yeah if we do our job I feel like we play our best football when everybody’s just doing their job and that’s what we had to finally realize and I think that win just made it like, yeah just do your job and everything will you know come to place.

– [ Reporter] How much did the open week help to have that extra time to prepare for the opponent you had last week?

– Yeah it definitely helped, we were able to you know put a couple extra days into Georgia look at them a little bit more you know just kind of get everything down to what they would come out and try against us and stuff like that.

– [Reporter] How do you personally move on from a win like that?

– Oh me I’m already ready for Florida. I love the feeling of winning a big game such so I want that feeling again so I’m ready to go, ready for the Florida game, you know, it’s going to be exciting, back home, 12 o’clock, it’s going to be a real good one.

– [Reporter] Ernest, so Florida has been rotating two quarterbacks, how difficult is that to prepare for as a defense?

– I don’t think it’s too difficult, you know, they kind of separated from what you’re going to get from this guy, what you’re getting from that guy, so you just have to know which quarterback’s in the game, you look back there if five’s in the game then okay, you’re thinking this getting a little bit more run you know he’s able to throw the ball as well too. Trask is back there he’s able to run a little bit as well so and it’s kind of similar but they do, they run different plays for each quarterback.

– [Reporter] Does it help that you guys have practiced against two quarterbacks you know like when Joyner’s coming in and Ryan will stand up there?

– Yeah that definitely helps, that does help.

– [Reporter] Ernest, how good was the defensive line Saturday and how much did that help you guys be able to do your job?

– Those guys they’re monsters, they’ve been playing their butts off the past few weeks and it’s been good to see. They’ve been setting up a lot of plays for me, making my job a lot easier. I thank those guys all the time, every time I make a play it’s because of them ’cause they’re doing their job, they’re causing so much attention to themselves like it’s hard to stop those guys up front and then it makes it easier for me so it’s definitely helpful.

– [Reporter] How’s it help having a beast like Kinlaw?

– Oh yeah he’s amazing, that guy is good, he’s real good.

– [Reporter] Ernest what have the last couple of days been around town around campus and is there an excitement among people that maybe wasn’t there a month ago?

– Yeah everybody’s happy now, everybody’s back to ol’ South Carolina, yeah we love those guys but you know we knew that would happen, we knew we were destined, we were built for a good stretch, a good win against a really good team so everybody’s happy now, everybody’s real good.

– [Reporter] What’s the feeling for you guys as a defense to actually be able to in the midst of the season solve kind of those tackling problems that you had early on?

– I mean it’s very relieving ’cause I knew we could do it. It was there there’s no question in the beginning of the season that whether we could tackle or not or whether we could, you know, hold these good offenses to minimum points, it was no question about that. We just had to, you know, find it somehow, we had to get to it and I believe the past two weeks the Kentucky game and this game and the Missouri game we kind of, you know, we were doing what we could do and doing our job and it’s helped.

– [Reporter] What was the moment Saturday where you guys kind of felt that this was a game that not only you guys could play well in but also win?

– Well we knew from when we started watching them we could see what kind of weaknesses they had in them and what we needed to do better to stop them, and throughout the weeks especially with off week you gain confidence with each other, with the plan and everything like that and the plan worked well. We get out there in the game and we just did our jobs and you could feel as the game go like, we’re able to stop this team, we’re able to minimize them to as few points as possible, we just got to keep it up a whole four quarters and overtime if it takes that.

– [Reporter] Turn the page but is momentum a real thing, especially getting a big road win like that now coming home for another big game.

– Yeah, momentum’s real. I mean yeah our fans we’re expecting them to be jacked, ready to go Saturday, it’s going to be another really good game, they have a really good team, we’re excited about the opportunity to go against another ranked opponent and you know try to knock them off as well so momentum’s real, it’s going to be fun, it’s going to be a real good game.

– [Reporter] I don’t know how much you all have done, how deep you all have gotten into the game plan but it feels like this defensive staff knows Dan Mullen really well, do you feel like you all have a good idea of what he likes to do?

– I believe they should, I hope they should. I’m not really sure I don’t really talk to them about what we’re doing or what they’re doing, they kind of handle that and they just let us make the plays and let us do that but I’m not sure if they know him pretty well or not.

– [Reporter] What makes that offense difficult to prepare for?

– They got a lot talented receivers, very quick guys. Perine’s back there running the ball and he can run the ball as well offensive line, you know, they get movement but they’re hard to kind of get to ’cause they do use two quarterbacks so I mean we’ll figure it out and we’ll get it done.

– [Reporter] This Saturday’s win for the rebirth of the goals and aspirations for the season so you go down the Athens and it’s like man it’s a daunting challenge to become bowl eligible and have a winning season and now you’re a real factor in the SEC East race.

– Yeah that win definitely helped, you know, the goals were never out of place, we never doubted ourselves going into the game, we knew that we could hang with those guys, we knew that we have yet to play our best brand of defense, our best brand of football in general from both sides of the ball so we knew coming into the game that if we did that and we did our job we would definitely have a chance, you know, get that win in the East, go back in the mindset and stuff like that.

– [Reporter] Ernest I know some fans they look at noon games and they’re not really thrilled at it but in terms of just being able to get into a routine, the last week you guys played at noon you guys stayed off campus I think some people forget about that when you have home games. Just talking about being able to get into a routine, does playing noon sometimes make it a little bit easier?

– Yeah I like playing the noon games ’cause you wake up and it’s time for ball. 3:30 games you kind of get a late start you know stuff like that. We practice early in the mornings too so noon games are good with us, we’re already up, we’re ready to go, it’s just like practice but it’s an actual game.

– [Reporter] Does that help sometimes like when you look back at that Georgia game, do you think that kind of gives you guys a little bit of an advantage?

– I believe so, I believe it does.

– [Reporter] Who’s doing scout team quarterback this summer with some of you guys banged up?

– Corbett Glick I believe. Yeah I think it’s him, he’s doing it.

– [Reporter] How do you mimic the running quarterback? I guess is that just putting a running back back there?

– Yeah, you just put a running back back there sometimes. He can run a little bit too so, I mean he can run it too so.

– [Reporter] Which running backs are doing it?

– Fenwick’s back there, Doe is back there as well mimicking those guys, Slade Carroll he’s got number two on this week, he’s Perine so that’s how that’s going.

– [Reporter] What do you remember about the game last year at Florida?

– They ran the ball up and down the field and they came back and they ran the ball some more. So that’s what I remember, 300 yards of rushing I believe.

– [Reporter] With the way you guys have played these last several weeks do you feel confident you guys can avoid getting into that again?

– Yeah I definitely feel confident with this group. I’ve never like doubted us even though when we were losing I never doubted us, I knew we could play, we just had to find it and I believe we’re finding it each and every week, we’re developing, getting better, fixing those things that we messed up in the previous weeks, but I feel like we’re able to be more competitive in the run than we were last year as well.

– [Reporter] How’s Ryan doing?

– Yeah, he’s doing good, he’s good.

– [Reporter] These last two games it looks like you all have been reading, recognizing things a little bit quicker, are you all playing faster as a defense you feel like?

– Yeah we’ve gained confidence in ourselves, in our defense more and that is allowing us to move faster and trust in what we’re seeing now instead of trying to do too much. I believe that was the main problem for us at the beginning of the season, just overall trying to do too much. Just do your job, be in your assignment, be in your gap, and the plays will come to you.

– [Reporter] The coaches change anything as far as what they’re calling or players trying to do too much within that play?

– It was just players trying to do too much within that play but now, I mean every time I go out, every time I’m on the bench, I’m just constantly repeating just do your job, just do you job, your job, doing it at the best of your ability that works, that’s enough for us, that’s all we need. We don’t need superstars, none of that, just do your job.

– [Reporter] As a kid from Georgia how much fun has these last few days been for you?

– It has been fun but I’m over with it now. I’m pretty sure some of my friends they’re Georgia fans so they’re still stuck on it but we won so it doesn’t matter to me anymore, we going to move on to Florida. Lot of people from my city like Florida too so it’s definitely another plus when we win this weekend.

– [Reporter] Did you guys have to watch the HBO Florida special for extra notes?

– No I’m not sure what you’re talking about.

PLAYER TRANSCRIPT

Javon Kinlaw | Senior | DL

– [Reporter] How do you personally move on from a win like that like Saturday night?

– You sleep and wake up the next day and realize that you have another game to play. That’s what I think.

– [Reporter] How do you make sure your teammates do the same thing?

– Just try to tell them. Well they know man, we just got another team to play each week. We can’t be dwelling on the past and stuff like that.

– [Reporter] How much did you guys kind of take personally the performance you had last year against Florida with how well they ran and how much different you guys played this year trying to correct that?

– Just got… I mean for me it’s kind of every game’s personal, but when they run the ball like that, it was like a punch in the gut. You know, new year. New opportunity.

– [Reporter] …in the film this year with Florida?

– They got a pretty good defense, you know. Pretty good offense too. I think they’ve got some injuries and things like that. But they’re coming off a little tough loss against LSU, but it was a pretty good game, you know. I think they’re a good team, overall.

– [Reporter] What’s the biggest difference in this defense in the last two games you’ve played?

– Talking about my defense?

– [Reporter] Yeah, your defense yours and your entire team.

– Oh mindset, just the mindset, everybody’s mindset. We’re just playing for one common goal. Just get a W.

– [Reporter] Was there one play or one moment during Saturday, when you knew that this was going to be a dominating day for the defense?

– Not really, I didn’t. I just play by play. That’s all I try to do man. I just try to do my job, that’s about it.

– [Reporter] How important was it to see with the result that your best is good enough to beat anybody? To play well and to beat an elite team? How much does that help you going forward?

– I think for now, it’s kind of a confidence booster. But I just think we already knew we could play I think it was confidence, mentality, focus, things like that.

– [Reporter] Javon when Israel had that pick six on Saturday, you were bearing down on Fromm and about to hit him there. Did you see Israel pick that ball off and what was your reaction to that play?

– I mean I saw him, but I was so tired, like I said, I saw him score, but it didn’t register, until I got to the sign and looked at the scoreboard. And I was like, “When did we score?” That was definitely, I was so tired.

– [Reporter] Did you recognize right away that Fromm made a bad throw? I mean you kind of forced that, I guess.

– I thought he was throwing it away. But Spiderman do his thing out there.

– [Reporter] What can you get better at?

– Me? What can I get better? Pad level, striking blocks better, playing my double teams better, things like that. Convert from run to pass better. Running after the ball more. Just a lot of stuff. I can work on a lot of stuff.

– [Reporter] How do you describe Kobe’s personality?

– He the man. He always got you laughing, like honestly Kobe just being Kobe. He a clown, man. That’s what he is.

– [Reporter] Coach Muschamp said he’s a big note taker in meetings, is he the guy you go to to sort of cheat off his page?

– Honestly, he sit right next to me. So I see him taking notes, so he makes me want to take more notes. Taking notes, it really helps.

– [Reporter] Your teammates were talking about being able to practice so early, makes things a little bit easier when you do have these noon games. Do you think that’s another reason to give you guys an advantage? I mean you’ve had a couple noon games this year.

– Definitely. We practice early every day. So it’s not new to us. We’re up all the time. I’m up at six o’clock every day. So for us to get out there early we like it like that. No matter what time, honestly.

– [Reporter] I know some fans would like the night games to be able to drink all day, but at the same time I know that you guys got to do your thing. How much does that help you with your routine?

– As long as we win, I don’t think that time really matters to them honestly that’s what I think.

– [Reporter] I know that you have a singular focus on what’s next with Florida but what do you think you will think about when you think about what happened last Saturday after you’re done playing here as far as what that win will mean to you?

– I’m not sure yet man like I said I’m just I’m just focused on just ball it up throw it away get my next sheet of paper out and write down Florida on it man that’s all I’m worried about right now, the Florida Gators.

– [Reporter] Javon, Florida kind of rotates two quarterbacks does your role change at all at the defensive tackle depending on who’s in at quarterback in there?

– Not really, I don’t think so just get in there, that’s my objective, just get back there.

– [Reporter] Javon, when you guys have a game like you guys did against Georgia how much pride do you guys take as a front seven being able to make them one-dimensional make them pass it over 50 times?

– I just think I take pride as a we take pride as a whole team you know just not front seven everybody, everybody did their job you know it took it took 11 guys you know to beat that team 11 guys on the field at a time so.

– [Reporter] Javon is there a level of pride in seeing how far Rick Sandidge has come from last season and how his game has developed?

– Definitely man, I got a lot of respect for Rick ’cause you know he just come so long overweight you know just a big kid you know he’s kind of coming into himself, so yeah I’m really proud of Rick.

– [Reporter] As far as your pass rush moves, is there anything that you did specifically during the off season like new kinds of moves or anything like that or is it just a combination of you putting in all the work that you’ve done the last few years?

– I can’t give you my recipe man.

– Yeah I can’t give you my recipe man.

– [Reporter] Donell said that he was kind of peeved a little bit that he didn’t get to pick any music and during the celebration in the locker room if you guys beat Florida do you think you’ll be able to give him like the iPhone and let him pick a song?

– I don’t never got nothing to do with the music. I don’t got nothing to do with that.

– [Reporter] Do you like some of the music he likes? Like country?

– I think so, I hope so I don’t know though.

– [Reporter] What it mean to you to be named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week?

– Oh it just means I got to go get another one that’s all.

– [Reporter] Coach Muschamp’s glasses are taking on its own world you know it’s got its own parody account on Twitter it’s got a hashtag now is there something special with the specs?

– I don’t know man I guess it makes him see better out there, I guess. I never knew he wore glasses.

– [Reporter] Who do you model your game after?

– Right now it’s Javon Kinlaw.

– [Reporter] Do you pay attention to what other people say about you and as far as scouts and NFL analysts and people like that?

– No I just I just care about what the head man say that’s about it that’s the only thing that put a smile on my face I couldn’t care less about anybody outside of this organization you know as long as my teammates and the coaches is fine and you know they praise me and things like that that’s the best feeling you know outside factors don’t matter to me.

– [Reporter] Was Saturday one of the furthest limits you’ve pushed yourself? Obviously you’ve played intense games before but I mean you played a lot of snaps in that one and just the stakes that there were.

– Best players got to play so I just something me I just want to be out there all the time you know that’s just how I am that’s the kind of guy I am.

– [Reporter] Do you even wear your dog tag?

– Yeah man.

– [Reporter] How many snaps did you play?

– I don’t really know but, I know it was up there it was up there. It might have been the most I ever played but I yeah I know he’s up there I think so.

– [Reporter] How did you feel Sunday morning?

– I was hurting a little bit, but I was all right.

– [Reporter] How does it feel to know that you couldn’t have done that two years ago when you first arrived here?

– Oh man, just working I’ve just been working working non-stop everyday just working hard to try to improve myself, make myself better on and off the field so and you know it’s kind of paying off now you know so.

– [Reporter] Why is this defensive line so much better than last year?

– The off season you know we had a big off season you know with our strength coach, coach Campbell you know he really tested us mentally, well more mentally than physically honestly you know he would do things to try to get us uncomfortable and just try to let us know that you know we ain’t going to die you know and things like that just really broke us down and rebuilded us reshaped us especially me man so.

– [Reporter] Do games like that Florida game help you get through those times in the summer when you guys are getting pushed to the limit like that or is that not even…

– Games like that Florida game?

– [Reporter] Yeah last year like the second half and how that went?

– No not for me not really.

– [Reporter] Whenever football’s done for you down the road hopefully a long time from now what do you see yourself doing?

– Oh fishing, shoot some discs stuff like that playing with my kids living on some land somewhere doing something, I don’t know man I could be doing anything you never know with me.

PLAYER TRANSCRIPT

Kobe Smith | Senior | DL

– [Reporter] Florida likes to rotate its quarterbacks, How difficult is it to prepare for that, defensively?

– I mean, we can just prepare for both of them, and then whatever comes, whatever quarterback comes in, we just focus on what they do. Basically it.

– [Reporter] Do you think it helps that you guys got to practice against a couple quarterbacks yourselves?

– Yeah.

– [Reporter] Kobe, what is the key to this defensive line that’s playing so well right now?

– We just continue to strike blocks and just get off the blocks and just continue to get off the ball, basically, just feeding off of each other also.

– [Reporter] Is this the best group you’ve seen in your four years here?

– I would say so, yeah, I mean, just with like the chemistry we have on the D line, we’re a lot closer, I feel like.

– [Reporter] What have you seen out of Florida, offensively in the tape you guys have been able to watch?

– I mean I feel like they have an explosive offense, they have a pretty good quarterback. And we just have to make sure we just bring the momentum that we have from last week into this week. And just continue to play our game and not mess up.

– [Reporter] What’s the key to bringing that momentum, Making sure you sustain it through practice and the game?

– Just practicing well. We had a good week of practice for the past two weeks, from the bye week into the Georgia week and that’s what happened.

– [Reporter] Kobe, another noon game, you guys are kind of used to this by now in terms of these practices because you guys practice so early. How much do you think that gives you guys an advantage sometimes this season?

– I mean, it does because we’re already up and we’re just ready to go because, like, we practice early in the morning so it gives us a little advantage I feel like, probably.

– [Reporter] I’m sure night games are fun, just as a competitor, do you like just being able to get out there?

– Yes. Yes, because I get too antsy for night games and stuff like that because I don’t like to really wait, I just like to go out there and just go.

– [Reporter] Do you think, I mean, I’m not trying to put words in your teammates’ mouth but do you think that’s kind of how they feel sometimes? That you guys are able to play a little bit looser, like you did last week?

– I wouldn’t say looser, I would say, like, we like to just get out there and just go because we don’t like to really wait for the time to come and stuff. And just watching the other games and stuff, it’s like, argh, we just want to go out there and just play.

– [Reporter] Kobe, what’s the level of growth you’ve seen from Rick Sandidge, both from last year and even from the beginning of this year?

– I’d say he just continues to get better each game, each day and each year, I feel like he grew a little bit. He still has some room to grow, but he’s been pretty good so far.

– [Reporter] What was it like watching what he did against Georgia?

– I was proud. Yeah, I was happy for him. He had a good game and I just hope he continues to practice well and just continue to bring it in, bring it out and have a great game the next game. Just continue to do what he do.

– [Reporter] Has the momentum carried over into practice this week, do you feel the juice still flowing right now?

– I would say so.

– [Reporter] Schematically, what have you seen from Florida concept-wise and what they do in the run game?

– I mean, I’ve seen the running back, he’s pretty good. Perine, he’s pretty good, you just have to wrap him up, I feel like, because he will bounce off of tackles. I was watching the Auburn game on the bye week, how he was just bouncing off of tackles, and went for, like, 88 yards. We just have to make sure we tackle him. He was real slippery against LSU, too. I’ve been seeing on film and stuff.

– [Reporter] What do you remember about playing those guys last year down there and how that game went for you all?

– I remember being up, then we just lost it in the fourth quarter. And that was part of our conditioning, probably playing tired and not having the best mindset, I feel like. But this year I feel like a lot has changed, and we’re going to go out there and ball out, I feel like.

– [Reporter] Why do you think that’s changed, the mindset and the condition, why do you think that’s better?

– Better leadership, I guess. But, just a different mindset. Just go out there and just play.

– [Reporter] Coach Muschamp described you as a big note-taker in meetings. Is that something you’ve always done, or is that something you’ve learned throughout your career?

– A little bit of both, I mean. Back in the day, I wrote notes but I wasn’t as detailed. So, now I just focus on being more detailed on everything that’s going on.

PLAYER TRANSCRIPT

Donell Stanley | RS Senior | OL

– Oh, yeah well we celebrated Saturday and we got a 24-hour rule, so you know, Sunday we were back and focused on Florida. So, it was fun and glad it happened, but still got some more of the season to go.

– [Reporter] How much has it helped you guys have some confidence that you’re doing things the right way and now you have results to go off of that, and be able to offer this and not just let this be the biggest moment of the season?

– Yeah, see now we see what we can do when we just do all the right things, like the small things, and that’s something we didn’t do, like early on in the season and, you know, that’s just leaders’ fault so, but now we’ve seen that we’re getting the success so we’re just doing the small things right.

– [Reporter] Donell, how do you personally move on from a win like that, and then you know, as a senior leader, how do you make sure that your guys have moved on as well?

– I mean because this is a season, every week’s a season, no matter who we’re playing, I mean we didn’t win a championship so, you know, we still got another hard team coming in here and, you know, every team in the SEC is going to be a challenge so you got to move on.

– [Reporter] You mentioned the success, how important is a big win like this for the young guys to let them see that everything that we’ve been talking about, it comes to fruition and now maybe we’ve got it rolling?

– Yeah and for the young guys this is something to build on for our whole program so, you know, when we face a team like Georgia and they’re ranked so high, you know that you can compete with anybody I mean, so the sky’s the limit and you just got to come to work every day. You go.

– [Reporter] Donell, down the stretch there against Georgia you got Joyner in there, did you at any point say anything to him on the field to kind of calm his nerves?

– I mean we just, I just told him we had all the confidence in him. He just got to do, go out there and do him and we know his potential so he just went out there and executed like he should’ve.

– [Reporter] From facing Florida last year, what are the biggest challenges in kind of their blitz heavy schemes and what kind of an onus does that put on you guys on the offensive line?

– Yeah, I mean they going to come in with a good scheme, good game plan. They got some good speed up front and everything so we need to try to control the line of scrimmage a lot and from last year, you know, that was a tough pill to swallow. It still haunts me to this day so I’m ready to get out there with them so.

– [Reporter] Do you feel like there’s going to be limitations for Ryan? The last time we saw him, he didn’t look very mobile. Are you expecting anything this week that’s changing? Any plans that are changing because of his injury?

– That’s out of my control. I can’t answer that one.

– [Reporter] Donell, what’s made this offensive line so successful, you think, in the last couple of weeks?

– Just the way we’re practicing and, you know, we’re just doing all the things right to win and we have good days at practice and play well so, that’s what I think.

– [Reporter] Did some of those adjustments help, you think, switching some personnel around?

– You talking about as far as players?

– [Reporter] Yeah.

– I mean, we practice, I mean, everybody’s got the mindset that they’re going to play so, I mean, if you come into a game and you’re shocked that you’re playing, you’re wrong so, you know, we practiced many situations and we get it in the right guys head that, hey, you only one play away from playing.

– [Reporter] As a guy who goes against him in practice, how different is Rick Sandidge from the guy last year and the guy even at the start of this year?

– Yeah, at the start of this year, I mean, Rick has grown up, and then, that’s what I’m so proud about him. Just watching him make play better Saturday. It lets you know what kind of player he is. Once he gets his mind right, he’s going to be unstoppable.

– [Reporter] Did you guys all kind of know, he has that kind of ability.

– Yes, yeah. We all knew he had all the potential with just his mind so, but now, hopefully he’s mature enough and he’s going to stay consistent.

– [Reporter] You play against great defensive lines every Saturday, where does your team’s defensive line rank, as far as where they’re playing right now?

– Yeah, I think our D-line can compete with any O line in the country. I mean, the guys we got, they’re good, they’re fast, they’re strong, they’re big so, I mean, we got a hell of a defensive line.

– [Reporter] Donell, I know your focus is singularly in the moment but as someone who has been here as long as you have, what do you think last Saturday will mean to you when you’re done playing?

– Yeah, see, games like that are games you’ll remember forever, you know? 20 years now, we’ll call each other and we’ll talk about the Georgia game and everything like that but right now, we’re just moving on to Florida so we can reminisce about that in 20 years later.

– [Reporter] Even though, do you feel like the momentum is there, obviously going into a big weekend, another top team here in your house?

– Yeah, anytime you get a win it’s momentum building and that just gives you the confidence to practice good and, you know, just trust the coaches and just listen to what they got to say, so yeah, anytime you win it builds onto that next week.

– [Reporter] Donell, Ernest was talking about how he does thinks it’s beneficial for you guys to be able to play at noon games, being able to get into your routine. How much do you believe that and does it give you guys an advantage playing early?

– Yeah, every morning I wake up 5:45 so, I mean, I’m in bed early and I get up early, so, early camps don’t mean any much to me, I mean, I guess it’s for fans. I mean, if fans want to, they could go to bed at like five o’clock, on Friday morning, I meant Friday night, Friday evening, guess wake up around three, start drinking beer and everything and tailgating, and come to the game so it makes it feel.

– [Reporter] But then how does that change because I think some people don’t realize you guys stay off campus for home games, being able if it’s a seven o’clock game at night compared to a noon game, what is that like? How is that different for a player?

– I mean, I don’t know. I mean, I just, like, say that again. That was a lot.

– [Reporter] I’m saying you guys play a game like at six or seven o’clock at night, compared to just having to sit around all day, I mean, how does that change compared to playing at noon for you?

– I mean, cause all day, I mean, all day for a night game we’re just in the hotel anyway, relaxing and stuff. We’re having walk throughs you know, getting our mind right then we get some rest time, so I mean, I don’t think it changes. We just like, more anxious I guess, and plus, you know, how night games are here so yeah but, as professionals, we just got to handle it the right way so.

– [Reporter] … Ryan was struggling in Missouri. Did you say anything to him to boost his spirit?

– Yeah, I mean, Ryan, we put Ryan in bad situations that game, you know, as offensive line, we got to give him time and we got to give him the confidence. See, I mean, when he get hit the way he did, he didn’t have a lot of confidence in us so, that’s on us as much as it is on himself. We’ll get it straightened out.

– [Reporter] If Dakereon has to play a lot of snaps this Saturday just, what have you seen from him and what kind of dynamic does he bring to this offense.

– Yeah, I mean, we all know what kind of athlete he is. He brings a lot, he’s a threat. He can run, he can throw it, so, and he’s building his confidence up. That’s why, I’m like, when I see him at practice today, so we can block for him and I know he’s going to make some plays.

– [Reporter] What was Ryan like as a presence on the side line during the Georgia game, even after getting hurt?

– Oh yeah, Ryan just got that natural ability to be a leader and that’s why I love him so much. I mean, he’s talking to guys, he’s trying to just to walk around, which he shouldn’t, but he’s a young guy, but he’s got a big presence.

– [Reporter] What was that celebration like for you at Georgia just in that moment?

– Yeah, I mean, I learnt a new song.

– [Reporter] What song?

– Something in the trap, or something like that. I didn’t know I knew it, but I knew because I just kept singing it. I can’t say all the words to the song because I can get in trouble. Anytime you win a game, we celebrate with every game.

– [Reporter] Did you get to pick the music?

– We need to work on that, because I need a song man, I need a song every now and then.

– [Reporter] Did you get one of the hedges?

– No.

– [Reporter] What was going through your mind in overtime, both overtimes?

– I mean, you know the first overtime we going in you know, just got to make sure. I mean, I knew we were in shape enough, we had good enough shape as anybody so it was more of a mental thing. You know, just staying positive, no matter what happens. And you know, I think that first overtime we got that turnover, we were were a little anxious and stuff. I thought we lost our composure a little bit, and then it led up to that first field go. But, Parker bounced back. And you know, I give all the credit to him just bouncing back, and making that field goal. You see where it got us. I mean, if you know anything about football, you respect how Parker handled that situation, just coming back and nailing that field goal because he could’ve just let it tumble in his head and he could’ve missed that one there. God knows what could’ve happened. That’s why you play the game.

– [Reporter] What kind of a locker room presence is Chavis Dawkins? What kind of a guy is he-

– You know, I can honestly say I never heard Chavis Dawkins say 10 words. He’s a quiet guy, but everybody knows he’s there because he’s a good player, but he’s a quiet guy.

– [Reporter] Does his game kind of speak that way? He’s not necessarily getting many passes thrown to him. But it seems like he does all the other stuff.

– Yeah, you watch for him. You see Chavis, he’s blocking guys downfield. The ball is thrown on the other side, he’s still playing hard, chasing the ball. I mean, when you got players like that, you got good players in your organizations that help you get where you want to get.

– [Reporter] Do you still talk to Jake Bentley pretty regularly?

– Yeah, Jake’s here everyday, I still talk to him the same. He still has got a good positive attitude, he’s encouraging guys, just like a leader should be.

– [Reporter] You mentioned feeling good in overtime, what does that say about this teams conditioning?

– The way we practice, that’s what makes us so successful in situations like that.