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00:00 >> First off, what a night.
00:03 What a night.
00:04 So proud of our football team.
00:07 Their response, everything that we do and train for, how we go to work,
00:11 it's for that moment, for that game, for that stage.
00:14 They showed up, showed incredible heart.
00:19 They fought back, great second half.
00:22 Lot of credit to Duke.
00:25 I mean, they battled throughout.
00:27 It's a really good football team.
00:29 It's one that, it was a, it's what I expected it to be.
00:34 I was just really proud of our entire team and
00:38 just the mindset they brought, the way they encouraged each other throughout.
00:42 It was special.
00:45 We had big momentum swings, great plays,
00:49 some disappointing plays that we have to be better at.
00:51 But as a whole, it was, like I said, why we train the way we train.
00:57 Definitely shout out to our fan base.
01:00 I mean, there's no words that can really do justice for
01:04 how much I just appreciate them and the impact that they've made.
01:08 I mean, the last three games, we played three straight home games, and
01:11 every one of them was a sellout.
01:12 Every one of them was an incredible atmosphere.
01:14 Tonight was special, though.
01:14 There's nothing like Bill Campbell at night.
01:17 And to see the energy, to see our guys and
01:20 how they battled throughout, really fed off that, it was remarkable.
01:27 Today being a game to celebrate our Seminole heritage,
01:33 it was a wonderful experience.
01:38 You get a chance to see council members from the Seminole Tribe of Florida being
01:43 here, being represented, being celebrated.
01:45 It's a special relationship that we have.
01:47 And I'm glad they got to see a game where our team got to put on display
01:52 unconquered spirit, and that's how they play.
01:55 And they had a lot of confidence in what would happen and what would occur.
02:00 But it wasn't perfect, and it really doesn't need to be.
02:05 And these guys, they really fuel off those moments where they've got to rise up and
02:10 put on display their identity.
02:12 But proud of them, proud of just every person a part of this program, and
02:18 to continue to work and taking a positive step forward.
02:20 Because that was a big one for us.
02:22 >> First question will be Corey on your right.
02:27 >> The four count stop when they're up 20 to 17,
02:29 you get the stop at the five yard line.
02:31 And then you go 95 yards, and it's a lot of people in our defense in the country.
02:36 I guess just looking back, how important is that moment in this game, and
02:40 maybe even looking forward to that when that's the time to go?
02:43 >> It's huge, and we talked about it throughout these last few weeks.
02:47 And our defense, even on that drive, they got their back against the wall.
02:52 And they responded in the red zone all throughout the course of the year.
02:57 To be able to get that stop, and then seeing the offense really,
03:00 I think it was a 15 play drive that we took the ball down the field.
03:04 And just the confidence that our guys had, some big plays.
03:08 Keon's catch was remarkable, I mean, the big runs.
03:13 Jordan was a threat with both his arm and his legs.
03:16 And to be able to finish that one off in the end zone was just so impactful.
03:24 And like I said, not just for this game, but even moving forward,
03:28 just to grow in confidence through the work.
03:31 And our guys work at a very high level, and
03:34 when you have these type of experiences, it just continues to fuel that.
03:38 But it took all three phases tonight, and
03:41 all three made big impacts, I'm proud of our players.
03:46 >> So the performance Jordan had in the second half,
03:50 specifically both passing, running the ball.
03:53 Can you just talk about his efficiency and
03:55 what he did in the second half that was so effective?
03:57 >> No, I mean, he was unbelievable.
03:59 I told him at the end of it, man, that's a champion's heart.
04:03 And that's how he works, that's how he prepares.
04:06 No doubt about the way that he's gonna show up, because we see it throughout
04:13 every day in practice, just the mentality which he brings.
04:16 But he had fun out there tonight, and it was really enjoyable seeing him lead
04:20 this football team.
04:22 When it got tight, when it got tough, he just played his best.
04:26 And to see him really take over in that game, it was special.
04:31 And I love seeing him celebrate with his teammates, and
04:35 just the encourager that he is.
04:37 And that was a really cool moment there in the second half.
04:42 >> [INAUDIBLE]
04:52 >> Well, I mean, we're gonna try great things throughout the course of the game.
05:00 That's really good defense, and they do a great job of fitting all runs.
05:07 They're very, very, rarely do you get them off balance.
05:11 But we did feel like if we needed it, there would be great opportunities,
05:15 especially you had Jordan, you helped us in the run game.
05:18 And it showed up, and you gotta give credit to Duke.
05:23 I mean, they played really hard.
05:26 I mean, that's, like I said,
05:27 that defense did not disappoint what I expected them to be.
05:31 And, but our guys showed up and made big,
05:36 critical plays throughout the second half, and that's what we needed to win.
05:41 >> Next will be Chris, about what?
05:43 >> Do you spend turns on a huge kick return for
05:45 you guys' response in the moment, and also just breaking one in the game?
05:49 >> No, I mean, I was so happy for Deuce.
05:51 I'm not saying, I was talking to him throughout the course of the week.
05:54 I mean, I felt like we got a chance that JP did a great job with the scheme and
06:01 put together a return that we thought could give us a chance to have a great
06:07 change of play.
06:08 We knew Deuce, he was ready, he's been working, he's been preparing.
06:13 I was talking to him throughout the week and
06:15 even in the pregame just been be ready for this.
06:17 And I saw when he hit the seam and
06:21 was able to do a great job by all the guys blocking.
06:23 I mean, they battled through that, but
06:25 when he hit the seam I knew there was no way that was gonna catch him.
06:28 And that was the momentum that we needed.
06:30 There was a huge boost for our team.
06:33 Deuce actually got to break the rock because that was such a big play in
06:37 the game, and I think really sparked us.
06:40 >> Go to Kurt, second row on your right.
06:44 >> First grade, second half shutout for your defense.
06:47 I know the goal line stand felt big for that for sure.
06:50 What is it about this unit that they really seem to grow in the games very well?
06:54 And just what change do you think they're having in the second half?
06:57 >> Every rep they get better.
06:58 I think Adam's done a remarkable job.
07:01 I mean, really has.
07:02 And just playing to the strengths of our guys.
07:04 I thought they were dominant throughout the game.
07:08 I mean, Duke was able to run the ball, got to the edge a few times.
07:11 We lost contain, didn't have the edge.
07:13 I thought Adam did a great job, and our players do a great job.
07:16 When you make slight adjustments, you reemphasize and
07:21 focus on things that they need to be doing and looking at, and
07:24 then you're gonna see that response.
07:25 Basically, there's ten points.
07:30 We have the, in this fourth down, where we're able to get an immediate stop and
07:35 help do a field goal.
07:37 And then obviously, the pick six, they're early.
07:40 But other than that, I mean, they held the ten points, essentially, defensively.
07:47 And I mean, you talk about the one stop, it's a five stop.
07:51 They're at the end of the fourth down.
07:52 And that just shows the confidence which our guys play with.
07:56 And 11 guys going out there and executed at a very high level.
08:00 >> [INAUDIBLE]
08:02 >> Mike, you guys have scored 80 points
08:04 in the fourth quarter of this season, which obviously is a lot.
08:08 What is it about this team that allows it to turn it on in the fourth quarter?
08:15 >> It's building and getting better.
08:17 We wanna start fast, and that's something that's important to us.
08:21 And we spend a lot of time just on how we come out the gate.
08:25 But ultimately, we wanna finish strong.
08:28 We wanna make sure that we put everything into the game.
08:32 The adjustments, put your preparation on display,
08:37 put your physicality, your toughness.
08:40 All the hard work they do in the off season.
08:42 Coach Storms and his staff do a remarkable job.
08:45 And you see that in the fourth quarter.
08:47 And our guys have confidence in it.
08:49 It was the last thing before we left the hotel today.
08:52 We talked about our identity, and this is gonna be a program that's gonna finish.
08:57 Whether it's in the classroom, whether it's in the practice field,
09:00 whether it's in the weight room, on the game field, on prime time,
09:04 whatever it needs to be, that's what we wanna be known for.
09:08 It's one of the greatest qualities you can ever have as you go through life.
09:11 And these guys, they embrace that.
09:13 And they're willing to go through the tough moments so
09:16 that they can have confidence whenever it's maybe stacked against you or
09:20 when you need to dig deep.
09:22 And to go put your stamp on a game or whatever you're going through in life.
09:26 And that's what I'm so proud of this football team.
09:28 >> We'll go to Jordan in the middle.
09:30 Coach, with the slow start, was it more of your guys just beating NC, or
09:34 was it something that Duke was doing schematically that was getting you guys
09:37 struggling?
09:37 >> Well, I mean, I think it's, you gotta give credit to them.
09:40 It's a good team.
09:41 I mean, they come in, I mean, they were leading ACC in rushing.
09:44 And that's a tough offensive line.
09:46 They do a good job in the schematic part of it.
09:50 Coach John's put together a really good plan.
09:52 And I thought there were some times that we missed things.
09:57 We had a couple of really poor highs,
10:01 poor fits that allowed them to get out on the edge.
10:04 Offensively, we had two poor downs that we didn't convert on.
10:08 And then the opposite of turnover, and that's not very, it wasn't,
10:12 I didn't feel that it was our guys not.
10:15 It's just a slight execution and
10:20 being able to finish within drops.
10:23 And they kept playing, and we had to spark those types of special teams.
10:28 We were able to still get the ends on there offensively.
10:33 Then once we get to second half, you saw those guys get rolling.
10:37 >> [INAUDIBLE]
10:40 >> The tight end room has been very
10:41 comfortable this year.
10:42 I'm gonna talk about the key performance tonight.
10:44 You know, you had ten targets, eight receptions.
10:47 How much of a role did you play tonight when it came to pass the game?
10:51 >> I mean, it was, you said I was gonna take what the teams gave you.
10:54 And as you saw, they were trying to fast close everything underneath Ukeon and
10:59 Johnny.
11:01 It was a little bit of a challenge to get those guys into one on ones, but
11:06 it opened up the middle.
11:07 And also you presented the tight ends and opportunities in the column,
11:11 more like did some good things.
11:12 You know, obviously, Jaheim had a really good game.
11:15 I mean, I was proud of him and some clutch plays and clutch moments.
11:20 He's continued to work at a high level.
11:21 And you see it and feel that within our group of guys playing.
11:27 There's a lot of unselfishness that's taken on.
11:30 I mean, I want every receiver and tight end and
11:33 running back to want the ball every play.
11:34 Like that's what we desire.
11:36 But some weeks there's more, some weeks there's less.
11:39 And when you play good teams, they're gonna try to work and adapt and
11:44 adjust to maybe slow down certain guys.
11:47 But it also provides other guys opportunities.
11:50 And I thought our tight end room did a really nice job of running back, so
11:53 you're catching the ball out of the back field.
11:55 And then still finding a way for Johnny and
11:59 some of the receivers, obviously Keon, that catch was unbelievable.
12:03 I mean, that's another one of those just wow moments in the game.
12:09 But no problem for our guys.
12:10 And I came at a big third down conversion.
12:13 I mean, it's fun to see guys went out there and
12:17 playing at eye level and playing with that confidence.
12:20 >> We've got time for two more.
12:21 Next will be Aslan, third row on your right.
12:23 >> Coach, I know you guys are chasing perfection and
12:25 putting everything together for a full 60 minutes.
12:27 But as the 16th ranked team in the nation,
12:31 you're gonna play teams like that as you continue this journey.
12:33 Just how confident, how comfortable are you that your team's gonna be able to
12:37 find ways to grind out in the league game?
12:39 >> I believe in our team.
12:40 There's the ultimate belief in our team.
12:44 Just like I told them, belief is one thing.
12:48 Going and earning it is another.
12:49 And we gotta work.
12:50 And tomorrow, I promise you, we'll come back here, we'll clean up mistakes, and
12:55 we'll go get the squat wrap tomorrow and get out on the practice field.
12:58 And we're gonna get better.
13:00 And that's what this team has to do.
13:01 If not, then we set ourselves up to be disappointed.
13:05 And I have the ultimate belief in what these guys can do,
13:10 what they can accomplish.
13:10 We've seen throughout the season already, we've played seven games,
13:14 multiple games where we've been down, had to respond and rise up at home on the road.
13:19 We've been up and had to finish games.
13:21 And I like the makeup of this team.
13:26 And but ultimately, all the things that we want and all the things we desire.
13:30 It doesn't really matter if we're not willing to continue to put the investment
13:34 and stay focused on the journey of what we set out.
13:36 That's just to get better with each opportunity.
13:39 >> All right, last one, I'll be the fourth row on your right.
13:41 I'll be down on your left.
13:43 >> Coach, it seems like in the biggest moments, Jordan Travis,
13:46 lights can never be too bright, moments can never be too big.
13:49 How pivotal is it to a locker room and
13:51 a culture to have the leadership and tangibles in your quarterback?
13:54 >> No, I mean, it's huge.
13:56 And he's a winner.
13:58 He's got a champion's heart in the performances.
14:01 And it's not just this year, it's years past.
14:05 When he's in the game, you always got a shot.
14:08 And Jordan is a great example of that.
14:12 But I think it also carries over to our team.
14:14 I mean, there was a time last year where Jordan wasn't available and
14:16 we had to come back and find a way to win.
14:19 And from Tate, he really carried over some of that.
14:23 And that's where when you have that within the locker room and
14:27 guys see it on a daily basis, it does rub off.
14:29 And Jordan is just such a special player.
14:34 But the young man of who he is and how he approaches things,
14:40 that's what makes him just dope.
14:41 And there's nobody else I'd rather have.
14:45 I mean, he is remarkable.
14:47 And to have a second half like he did, to be able to take over the game like he did
14:51 when the moment called, I mean, it was a great night for him.
14:54 He showed why he is who he is.
14:59 - Thank you.
14:59 - Thank you.