Quotes of note from the week that was
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Pretty good turnout this week from players and coaches. Lots of jovial attitudes, good spirits, etc. with last week’s Ole Miss victory behind them and a Furman victory in the future.
Let’s here what everyone had to say.
Gene Chizik
(On this week’s practice)
“Good practice both days—yesterday and today. I thought we had a lot of energy, which at this time of the year is good to see. I thought they’ve been very focused over the last two days and getting back on track. We’re excited to play this week.“
(On the mindset of this perceived gimme game)
“It’s a football game we’ve got to win. To say that because it’s outside the league it’s less important, it’s a football game we’ve got to win. So that’s how we’re going to prepare.“
(On rebounding from the three-game losing streak)
“You have to be strong mentally through things like that. But I’ve mentioned before that this team is really different from a lot of teams. Everybody has really kept their heads up through the whole situation. Everybody knew what we were doing. Everybody knew what we were capable of doing. I think it’s important to see confidence in yourself as well. I think that’s been key. You really just needed something to get going for us. For everybody to keep their heads up for the three-game stretch and to get everything going was real big.“
(On the impact Zac Etheridge’s injury has on your psyche)
“You think about it, but you try not to. You don’t want to think about that. Just play the next play. Can’t think about what’ll happen next or if it’ll happen to you because then you’ll get yourself hurt.“
(On the improvement made by the defensive line)
“I give my props to the D-line. They said they’d come along in this game, that they felt good. They understand everything. The linebackers were making big plays, just putting pressure on the quarterback made it easy for the secondary. It was great for us.“
(On why the defense held up four fingers after every tackle)
“That was for Zac. We played the rest of the game for Zac. It was something devastating, but we heard some good things. Unfortunately he’s out for the rest of the year. We’re going to keep pushing forward, making sure we represent for him.“
(On when he heard he was moving to safety)
“I first heard it this morning. I got up at 5:30 to do some work, and coach told me I had a meeting at 6:30 with the safeties. I was like, ‘For what?‘ He said, ‘You’re moving to safety.‘ I was happy because I knew I’d be getting a little more playing time.“
(On what happens beneath the pile)
“I can’t tell you that, man. I don’t want to be suspended next.“
(On the impact of hitting passes downfield)
“There’s no doubt about that. It works together. We talk about balance: when we’re balanced, I really feel like at times we’re tough to defend. When we’re not, when we’re one-dimensional, the teams we’re playing, it makes it extremely tough. To hit those passes early in the game really helped us.“
(On filling Zac Etheridge’s leadership role)
“I have to be a leader. I have to take his spot. That’s what he told me he wanted me to do. I’m going to fulfill whatever he needs me to do.“
(Were you looking at your wrist when you scored a touchdown last week?)
“Yeah, I was just letting them know what time it was.“
(You guaranteed Tate would run for 1,000)
“No question. No question. I was right. Ben has been phenomenal. Ben’s success is a tribute to the offensive line. They’re the glue that holds the offense together. Those guys have been phenomenal and Ben dedicated himself the day I stepped on campus. He’s done everything I’ve asked him to do. He derives the success he’s had.“
(On the offensive line)
“The thing that I’m pleased with this group of probably the most is that I think they’re continuing to get better every week. I think they’re better now than they were a week ago and I think they were a better a week ago than they were two weeks ago. So I think we’re making a lot of progress.“
(Photo credit: Todd Van Emst)
