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00:00 >> Okay, we got a few opening comments on the game, then we'll take your questions.
00:04 >> We came in with an idea of focus on a mindset of mission team meet.
00:13 We talked about it all week and we wanted to put the mission first,
00:17 team first, and meet last.
00:19 And I thought we had a lot of guys do that today.
00:20 We did it together, we put ourselves out there.
00:25 We knew we could play winning football.
00:28 I think this team's improving and getting better, but
00:31 we're still not where we need to be.
00:32 I'm certainly proud of the competitors that went out and
00:37 fought today for our university and continue to do that.
00:40 I was proud of our fans.
00:42 They supported us, even though we didn't start the way we wanted to, but
00:45 we responded and played well.
00:48 We're able to control the line of scrimmage,
00:50 which ultimately is the difference in this conference.
00:52 If you can win the line of scrimmage, you got a chance.
00:56 >> Carson's poised today, and was there any doubt that he was gonna be,
01:00 that moment wasn't gonna be too big for him, in your mind?
01:04 >> No, I don't worry about Carson.
01:05 I mean, apparently you guys do, but I don't worry about Carson.
01:08 He's very confident, he's calm, he understands football.
01:12 He never real high, never real low.
01:14 He studies really hard, he texts questions all week.
01:18 He studies and meets with Coach Bobo.
01:20 He puts a plan together and he makes good decisions.
01:23 And he's continued to improve by not putting us in bad situations.
01:28 And there's things that aren't on the stat sheet that I don't have time to explain,
01:32 that he does an elite job.
01:34 Run checks, looks, putting us in the best play,
01:38 decision to throw the RPO or hand the ball off.
01:42 And there's not really a value you can put on that.
01:46 I know as a defensive coordinator,
01:47 there's not much worse than feeling like you got the right call.
01:50 And he moves the back, he moves tight in, and he runs it, and
01:53 you got a bad call.
01:54 And that's tough.
01:55 >> Kirby, I know building a championship level program was
01:58 foremost in your mind when you came to that.
02:00 But how did this rivalry sort of fit into that,
02:02 and sort of trying to take over and turn it around?
02:06 >> Well, you can't win the East without going through Jacksonville most of the time.
02:10 This year, it may not play out that way.
02:12 But in years past, we've shown the stat of, I don't know if it's eight of the last ten,
02:17 seven of the last ten has come through Jacksonville, and maybe more than that.
02:21 When you're building a program, you gotta beat the best teams in your division.
02:26 And Florida's certainly been that historically,
02:28 one of the best teams in our division.
02:30 >> Coach, they go down there and score a quick on that first drive.
02:33 Anything said, done on the sideline, and the way the defense responded after that?
02:39 >> Not really, I mean, we're kinda getting used to that.
02:41 I mean, we gave it up against Vanderbilt, I think, and maybe South Carolina.
02:46 I think both of those games.
02:47 And there's not a lot of panic in that group.
02:49 We certainly need to rectify starting the game better.
02:53 But the comfortable part is that nobody panics.
02:57 We had some mistakes, some anxiety, hadn't played in two weeks.
03:00 Give them credit, they threw the ball to a really good playmaker.
03:03 We talked all week about Wilson in three, he's a really good player.
03:07 And they did a great job utilizing his skill set.
03:09 And we didn't do a great job stopping it.
03:11 But it wasn't like there was a panic mode.
03:13 It was, can we control the run game?
03:15 Can we control the run game?
03:16 And eventually slow down the throw.
03:17 >> I know so much talk about Brock Bower's absence.
03:20 But is there a great separation by the offense, defense,
03:23 especially when you have a leading place?
03:25 [INAUDIBLE]
03:27 >> It's great.
03:28 I've told people that this offense is, I mean, it's not built around one player.
03:31 I mean, since Bobo was here before and had success offensively.
03:37 And Todd Munkin was here and had success offensively.
03:41 And Coach Marcus left and Bobo came.
03:44 And it's not built around one player.
03:45 It's really built around the defense.
03:47 That's the beauty of it is that you don't have to have just one guy.
03:51 Brock is certainly extremely valuable because you can scheme plays to make him
03:55 the guy, well today, every place we run with Brock,
03:58 there's somebody else in those spots.
04:00 And it's not always dealt, I thought dealt a tremendous job,
04:03 especially momentum early in the game to go up and make that catch that he made.
04:07 But Brock knows that, Brock's over there to support those guys.
04:11 >> Coach. >> Talk about the defense and
04:12 how it's built on defense.
04:14 That fourth down stop early in the game kind of shifted the momentum.
04:16 How surprised are you that they went for it there in the way they did?
04:19 >> Not surprised they went for it at all.
04:21 I actually had the staff meeting before the game.
04:23 I told them, I said, my gut intuition,
04:24 this game's gonna come down to some short-guarded situations.
04:27 I said, typically, when you play Billy,
04:29 he's very aggressive in terms of analytics and believes in it.
04:35 And he has a lot of fourth downs he goes for.
04:36 And we're gonna win some, we're gonna lose some.
04:39 But we're gonna go defend them.
04:40 We're gonna work really hard on that.
04:42 And I told the offensive staff, I said, if it comes down to a third, one or two,
04:45 fourth, one or two, we're going for it.
04:46 And assuming they're gonna go for it.
04:48 So let's make sure we walk through that and do that more in the next 12, 14 hours.
04:53 And I'll be down and get that play.
04:55 It was early in the game where you can still overcome that play.
04:57 But it was certainly a big momentum play that we thought,
05:01 if we had our eyes in the right spot, we could play it.
05:03 >> Lots of tackles for a little sex by you guys tonight.
05:06 How are you guys so effective getting their back filled in?
05:10 >> Well, it gave us an opportunity to drop back pass.
05:12 You get a chance to.
05:13 We had a lot of opportunities for that in earlier games.
05:17 The more people drop back and pass, the more we're gonna get to it.
05:19 I thought our defensive staff, Schumann, Muschamp, Trey and
05:22 Fran did a great job.
05:24 They put a couple new wrinkles in that really helped in terms of getting
05:29 pressure, we didn't just do the same thing we always do.
05:32 And I think there's one call that we got two tackles for a loss and
05:35 maybe a sack, all from that call that we had not run all year.
05:39 >> Kirby from ground level, was the turf okay?
05:43 >> I didn't really know.
05:44 I did ask some people before the game that it was called lay and play.
05:47 It concerned me because when you do lay and play, is it ready?
05:50 We do it at our place.
05:51 Asked all the scenes, so I was worried about it.
05:54 But I never noticed anything during the game with somebody complaining about it.
05:57 >> [INAUDIBLE]
06:01 >> Yeah, I think CBS broadcast this.
06:03 >> He played.
06:04 >> He did, with a knee brace.
06:05 >> He played.
06:05 But I asked them, I actually said, what's the deal?
06:09 And they said they laid it over a week ago.
06:10 Well, we laid ours yesterday, we're gonna practice on it Monday.
06:14 And it's probably the same stuff.
06:16 They do it all across the country for bowl games and things like that.
06:18 So I did not notice any issues with that, but I did see the seams in the grass.
06:23 >> [INAUDIBLE]
06:27 >> Great, great scheme.
06:29 Our special team staff came up with it and wanted to be aggressive.
06:33 And were, Jonell, they actually gave us a formation we had not seen.
06:37 And Jonell made a great job, blocked it out.
06:39 We're gonna get two out of that, cuz we ended up kicking the punt to us.
06:43 And then we didn't do anything with it, so
06:44 it was really not as significant as you would like a block punt to be.
06:49 >> Kirby, what does it say about the entire enterprise?
06:51 After three years, it was 19 draft choices, eight in the first round,
06:54 whatever it is, and you're still playing at this level.
06:56 >> It's really about the retention of our staff and our players.
07:01 I mean, we have lost some really good players, and
07:03 we have really had some injuries.
07:05 And I think the total effect has been that our kids believe,
07:09 there's a culture in our building of discipline.
07:12 We don't get penalties, we're one of the least penalized teams in the country.
07:15 We don't beat ourselves, and we have a quarterback who gives us an opportunity.
07:20 And we've got defensive players that play really hard.
07:23 I mean, it's a recipe for you to have success.
07:26 The margin of that success is certainly measured by you guys, by wins and losses.
07:31 But for me, it's the character of the kids I get to coach.
07:35 >> What about Ingram Dawkins?
07:36 I didn't know he was gonna play.
07:39 Did you sneak him in there?
07:40 I mean, was he able to come back kind of surprised?
07:42 >> We talked about it, everybody that asked.
07:44 I never asked about him, so he did ask.
07:46 >> [LAUGH] >> He was back during the week, and
07:49 he's not completely healthy, but we shut him down for six weeks.
07:54 And they felt like it was time for him to come back.
07:56 And he said, Coach, I need to, I mean,
07:59 this foot's either gonna give or it's not, he said, I can't keep sitting.
08:03 I gotta go play.
08:04 And so he felt really good this week.
08:06 I don't think he's in very good shape.
08:08 But he was an added boost for us, just morale wise, to get a guy back that we
08:13 think could have had one of his best years, and he hadn't been able to.
08:16 So I was really proud of him to get that sack.
08:18 Probably the first fumble of the season to recover.
08:21 >> We're not glad to have the success that he had today.
08:24 >> Yeah, I think it came at the right time, right?
08:25 With Brock out, and glad to step up and make plays.
08:27 And gotta keep him healthy, cuz he's such a weapon, and he's such a competitor.
08:33 I mean, the yards after catch is what he gives us that a lot of other guys
08:38 hadn't done, and he catches it and runs with it, and does a tremendous job.
08:41 And hey, you gotta give the line a lot of credit for
08:43 the protection to get it to that.
08:45 And the quarterback making some plays,
08:47 that third down play he made was really special.
08:49 >> I was gonna ask about the offensive line.
08:51 It seemed like he had all day to throw, Carson.
08:53 Best they've played collectively so far this year?
08:55 >> I don't know, they've played good a lot.
08:57 They've played really good a lot.
08:58 I think they played a good team.
08:59 They zeroed us, they blitzed us.
09:01 Carson was able to make good decisions.
09:03 The play to Dylan Bell was probably the backbreaker.
09:05 It's just really incredible that he made that throw, and
09:08 they were in good coverage for it.
09:10 And Dylan beat his guy, and Carson made a great throw, and
09:13 Dylan made a great catch, but the protection was there too.
09:16 >> Coach, how'd y'all go about- >> How do you think he stepped up as
09:18 a leader in preparation for this game?
09:20 >> Oscar's right.
09:21 He didn't feel any more burden.
09:22 We told him that.
09:22 He wasn't gonna play any more snaps than he normally does.
09:24 I mean, he was gonna go out and compete and work hard.
09:27 He lost enough, he gave him a blow.
09:28 And hey, that's why you recruit guys.
09:30 You bring them in, bring them into play, and
09:32 I wouldn't say that he's exactly ready for it.
09:35 He got hit a couple times in the run game, but
09:37 he's gonna have to get ready for it.
09:39 And I don't talk about loss, I'm not Oscar.
09:41 Oscar did a tremendous job.
09:42 He's a very physical blocker, and one-handed catch made it on our sideline,
09:46 kinda got momentum going.
09:47 >> Coach, how'd you- >> How'd you talk about the offensive
09:49 line? How close was Amirius to playing?
09:50 Saw he dressed out tonight?
09:52 >> Don't really know.
09:53 I talked to him a little bit before the game.
09:54 He felt like he was close, but it wasn't completely ready yet.
09:59 We'll see again.
10:01 He gets another week of rehab, and
10:04 Monroe's getting better with these reps, and trust his too.
10:07 >> Coach, what was the key to Carson's development at a position that doesn't
10:10 play a bunch of guys the first three years?
10:12 >> Carson's commitment to getting better.
10:14 I mean, he had really good coaching.
10:15 He played in a really good system.
10:17 He was around really good players, and he watched them.
10:20 I mean, I honestly think the reps we dedicate to our twos and
10:24 threes all year round make us easier to transition the next year.
10:30 So I felt great about Carson coming into the season because of the work he had.
10:36 I mean, we go out and make him go against the one defense.
10:38 So he plays against good teams.
10:40 >> Coach, between the turnover and between the count on fourth down,
10:44 how beneficial was that for the offense, not just scoring points, but
10:46 also building confidence for them?
10:48 >> Yeah, the field position battle.
10:49 I mean, that's just overwhelming.
10:51 You feel like on defense, you're constantly against the wall.
10:52 When the offense walks out there and starts,
10:54 I don't know what yard line we were on those two times, but
10:56 those were big momentum builders.
10:59 >> What was the most important thing that you've been at home looking ahead,
11:02 how excited are you to get back at home?
11:03 And schedule wise, do you kind of like going that long without a home game?
11:07 >> I don't care about the schedule.
11:09 I mean, whatever it is, it is.
11:10 We just strap it on and go.
11:12 But it's gonna be a big one next week.
11:14 That's what you're getting at.
11:14 I mean, that's a really good team.
11:16 I've always said they're extremely physical, big, tough.
11:19 Eli does an incredible job on offense.
11:20 Nobody's playing better offensively right down the country than they are with
11:24 their quarterback.
11:24 So we looked at them in the off week.
11:27 We took a day and said, hey,
11:28 we're gonna look at these guys before we move to Florida.
11:30 And they're good, and they'll be well rested coming into our place.
11:34 >> Curry, I know you probably don't care about Tuesday night,
11:38 the first set of rankings.
11:39 But what are you typically doing on a Tuesday night when those come out?
11:42 >> Well, we work on all our tape.
11:44 We watch the practice, and then we go third down, plan, and
11:49 go over that.
11:50 I mean, I don't even see it.
11:51 I don't, I get text messages about it, things like that.
11:54 But we all know the deal.
11:56 I mean, you gotta win the games you play and take care of that.
12:00 The rest of it is out of our hands.
12:02 >> Brock obviously doesn't play today, but he travels with you.
12:05 Why bring, Brock obviously doesn't play today, but
12:08 he still travels with you guys.
12:09 What does he bring to this team when, even though he's not able to help and
12:12 be able to- >> I just wanted to make sure he'd rehab.
12:13 >> [LAUGH]
12:16 >> Put my own eyes on him.
12:17 No, he's great.
12:18 He wanted to come.
12:19 He's the spirit of this team.
12:21 I mean, this guy has been at every meeting.
12:24 He was at the punt walkthrough today.
12:26 And he goes to everything, and he's front and center, on time, ready to go, and
12:31 still gets all his rehab done.
12:32 So, I mean, that's just the kind of kid he is.
12:35 And everybody looks at him like, we've had other guys get that injury, and
12:38 they try to disappear for weeks.
12:40 And come back, he missed anything.
12:43 He just, he loves football, and he loves his team.
12:46 >> Coach, I know you don't care about the outside noise.
12:48 Every week, it seems like National League is picking a team to upset Georgia.
12:52 How do you keep that from seeping into the locker room for
12:54 the guys if they're listening to that outside noise?
12:57 >> I don't even hear it.
12:58 I mean, I literally don't, so I don't address it.
13:01 I think they may hear it, cuz they're on their phones 24/7.
13:05 And it bothers me that they may hear that, or they may feel anxiety,
13:08 they may feel pressure from this wind thing.
13:11 At the end of the day, the quickest way to lose it is think about that.
13:16 So when you think about attacking somebody and coming after them every play,
13:20 with a mindset of Friday the 13th, they can't kill Jason, he keeps coming back.
13:25 You gotta keep going that way and think that way aggressively, so
13:29 you're not paranoid about that.
13:32 And I don't see it or hear it, but I know it's out there.
13:35 Somebody texted me before the game, it's like, all these people predicting that
13:39 we're not gonna win today.
13:43 And I'm just like, Holly, where's that coming from?
13:46 Supposed to be my friend.
13:46 >> [LAUGH] >> He didn't like to recruit us, so
13:49 it's- >> Just take two more questions.
13:52 >> Coach, I know he's not by y'all as far as Dejon Edwards goes.
13:54 Do you think he's one of the more underrated running backs in the league?
13:57 >> I think he's an unbelievably tough kid that runs really hard,
14:01 has great vision and balance.
14:02 People hate tackling him.
14:04 And he plays behind a really good offensive line, a good offense, and
14:07 he makes the most of it.
14:09 You've not met a more durable, tough, I mean, he picked up a list today and
14:13 he threw it up in there.
14:15 And he's about 200 pounds, and the guy comes in at about 230, 240, and
14:19 says a lot about just him and who he is.
14:22 >> You talked about Missouri's quarterback play, but
14:24 how do you evaluate number three, number seven from Missouri?
14:26 >> Well, that wouldn't be fair, cuz I had one day, and
14:30 it's like I know how talented they are.
14:32 We recruited really both of them, but one of them hard.
14:35 I know that they're terrorizing defenses across our conference, and
14:39 they're extremely talented in a good system.
14:41 >> I asked Lord about the opening drive touchdowns.
14:44 You guys are giving up three times this season, and he said we have to wake up.
14:47 Is that something you've been talking about?
14:50 >> I think we're awake.
14:51 If anything, we may be overdoing it.
14:53 Sometimes I think that we think it over, we think too much.
14:56 We do it a lot with our players.
14:57 We walk through, we do 100 play scripts the day before the game,
15:00 the day of the game.
15:01 And maybe we're overdoing it, maybe we're a little nervous, I don't know.
15:04 But I'd rather have them finish the way they finish than leave them and
15:07 start the way they start.