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00:00 I appreciate you all being here,
00:01 you know, coming off a game Saturday night,
00:05 you know, just going back and watching it,
00:08 you know, seeing the way that our guys played,
00:11 the way they responded,
00:13 you know, so very proud of our football team.
00:15 And, you know, there was adversity,
00:18 definitely not the start that we wanted,
00:20 you know, just really in all phases,
00:22 you know, had some mistakes, you know, there early.
00:25 You know, defensively, you know, I think allowed,
00:27 you know, five of the first six third-down conversions.
00:30 You know, they were able to have, you know,
00:31 two extended drives,
00:33 really kept possession of the ball.
00:34 We had one possession in the first half,
00:36 went three and out, which is, you know,
00:37 never -- you never want to do that.
00:40 You know, we struggled to really get any rhythm
00:43 or anything going, you know, there early.
00:46 But, you know, being on the road,
00:48 adverse -- you know, hostile, adverse situations,
00:52 you know, that showed up.
00:54 I mean, our team, you know, just had a --
00:56 did a remarkable job of, you know,
00:59 being in control of the things they could control,
01:01 of going out there and, you know, playing,
01:03 you know, disciplined, you know, being able to,
01:06 you know, respond the way that they're trained to respond.
01:08 And, you know, it's, you know, their heart,
01:10 their determination, and, you know,
01:12 just the whole team as a -- as a group,
01:18 you know, just, you know, did the things that were necessary.
01:21 You know, two-minute drive offensively
01:22 to go down and score before the half was huge.
01:25 It was great.
01:26 You know, Tate made a couple great throws,
01:28 you know, on that drive.
01:30 You know, we had a couple of, you know,
01:32 big plays that we definitely needed.
01:34 And then to be able to come back, you know,
01:36 there in the first drive of the second half,
01:38 and, you know, had a couple of third-down conversions,
01:40 you know, big run, that was just --
01:43 it was everything that we needed.
01:44 And, you know, you have those rivalry games.
01:47 You know there's going to be the momentum swings.
01:48 You know there's going to be the ups and downs.
01:50 And, you know, our guys,
01:52 they were unbelievably confident throughout.
01:54 And, you know, even through some of the challenges that we faced,
01:57 I mean, they were able to rise up.
01:59 And, you know, I'm just really proud of them.
02:01 You know, I thought, you know, a couple of guys
02:03 that I mentioned yesterday to the team,
02:05 I thought Akeem Dent played his best football game
02:07 since he's been at Florida State.
02:08 I mean, he was absolutely remarkable.
02:11 And, you know, he was --
02:13 I mean, some of the tackles he made in the open field
02:15 against really talented backs, I mean, was impressive.
02:19 I thought that, you know, he played with confidence.
02:22 You know, he just -- you know, he had --
02:24 you know, whether we're blitzing him,
02:26 whether he's in coverage, whether he had to,
02:28 you know, make those space plays, man, he was on it.
02:31 And, you know, I'm really proud of that young man.
02:34 You know, he's continued to get better.
02:36 You know, we have big expectations for him.
02:40 And then, you know, to see him continue to grow
02:41 even in his, you know, last year eligibility,
02:44 it's impressive to see.
02:46 And, you know, we need to continue that
02:47 as we go into this week.
02:50 You know, but I wanted to make mention of him.
02:52 And then, you know, I thought Ja'Kai Douglas' play
02:54 on the fourth down was a huge play in the game.
02:57 You know, Tate did a great job getting the ball out.
02:59 You know, Ja'Kai only had the one catch,
03:01 but, man, what a big one.
03:02 And, you know, you just see that's a guy
03:05 that's really, you know, made a wonderful impact for us.
03:08 You know, he had a huge game at Pitt.
03:10 You know, he's made a couple big plays,
03:11 you know, throughout the course of the year.
03:12 And, you know, that was a big play
03:14 and a big moment to continue to drive,
03:17 to let us go down and, you know,
03:19 put the game-leading field goal there at the end.
03:22 So, you know, just proud of our guys,
03:25 proud of the resiliency they showed.
03:27 You know, it was definitely a team win.
03:30 Defensively, it was awesome in the second half.
03:32 And, you know, it was what we needed.
03:35 And, you know, to finish up the regular season,
03:37 you know, undefeated was big for us, big for our program.
03:41 Puts us in position this week as we get a chance to go
03:44 and compete for an ACC championship.
03:46 You know, it's going to be one heck of a matchup.
03:49 You know, we've got all the respect in the world
03:50 for Louisville and, you know, who they are.
03:53 And you see the playmakers that they have.
03:55 You see the coaching staff and the schemes.
03:58 You know, this is a very complete football team.
04:01 Offense, defense, special teams, you know,
04:03 they're going to challenge.
04:05 They're going to -- they've got explosive players.
04:07 You know, it's going to be a heck of a game.
04:09 And, you know, we're excited for the opportunity.
04:11 You know, got a lot of belief in our team and what we can do.
04:14 And, you know, like I told our guys yesterday,
04:18 I'm extremely excited because, you know,
04:21 we're 12 games into the season.
04:23 And, you know, I see areas for improvement.
04:26 I see a lot of areas where we get to continue to grow
04:28 and get better.
04:30 And I see a football team that's hungry for that.
04:31 And, you know, that started last night.
04:34 We went out, had a very spirited practice.
04:36 I thought our guys did a great job in the weight room.
04:39 They went out on the practice field,
04:41 you know, really locked in in the meeting rooms
04:44 to find the corrections, make the corrections,
04:48 and work to apply to get better
04:50 throughout the course of this week.
04:52 And we got off to a great start on Sunday.
04:55 You know, I can't wait to get out on the practice field,
04:57 you know, here tomorrow and, you know,
04:59 continue to take the strides that are necessary
05:01 to go be better than what we've been.
05:03 And, you know, it was a big win.
05:06 And, you know, obviously, anytime you can be,
05:08 you know, state champs and to do that,
05:10 you know, for back-to-back years,
05:12 it's something that's important to our program
05:14 and, you know, definitely one
05:15 that will be talked about and remembered.
05:17 First question will be Chris on your left.
05:20 I'm going to start you off with a two for one.
05:22 Two for one, yes.
05:23 Tate, how did it come out of the game physically feeling?
05:25 And secondly, how much easier is it for a guy
05:27 to make a second start after making a first start
05:30 in the sense of just a lot of the other stuff is dismissed
05:32 because you're doing it again?
05:33 Yeah, I think that, you know,
05:36 for that to be your first start of the year
05:38 and, you know, first start in a year,
05:40 you know, in a couple years for Tate,
05:42 I mean, there's a lot that goes to it.
05:44 And, you know, playing in that game,
05:46 that rivalry, you know, in that environment,
05:50 you know, it's a lot.
05:51 And I thought he did a good job.
05:54 There's some things operationally
05:55 that we got to continue to be better.
05:58 We had a couple of delay of game penalties,
06:00 which, you know, it's, you know,
06:02 I think anytime you're around Tate,
06:04 you see, you know, he is a hard person to get rattled.
06:08 I mean, he's going to be pretty steady
06:11 in all the things that he does.
06:12 And I think he showed that in the course of the game.
06:14 I mean, you know, but just the urgency of communication,
06:19 he sees everything right.
06:21 There was just a couple times that, you know,
06:23 we let the clock get down on us,
06:24 and we were rushed in a couple of moments.
06:26 Those are things that I think will --
06:28 that will be an area that will be improved upon this week
06:31 just, you know, because of the comfort of repetition.
06:34 And, you know, it was a lot.
06:36 It was a challenge to communicate.
06:37 You know, we got to do a good job around him,
06:39 making sure that, you know, all ten other guys
06:42 are operating as fast as we can as well.
06:46 But, I mean, that was one thing that we pulled in the game
06:48 that we know we have to be better at.
06:49 But, you know, I think that's --
06:51 his demeanor and his confidence
06:54 that he had throughout the course of the game
06:56 is something that you can feed off of.
06:58 And then, you know, he had a couple of really big throws.
07:00 You know, the third down to Johnny,
07:03 down in the red zone on the first touchdown drive,
07:05 you know, obviously the throw to Jaheim.
07:07 But, you know, then the third --
07:08 you know, starting on the second half,
07:10 the crossing route to Johnny was just a big throw and a big moment.
07:13 You know, one of those plays I already mentioned,
07:15 the Jakei throw, I mean, those are --
07:16 those are those times in the game
07:19 that you just -- you need somebody to step up.
07:20 And he did a great job of that.
07:23 You know, obviously got hit, you know, pretty good, you know,
07:27 there when he was sliding down.
07:28 You know, I was glad he was able to come back in the game.
07:30 You know, I think I mentioned yesterday on the press conference,
07:32 you know, he --
07:34 when he got to clearance and he came over,
07:36 you know, told me he was good.
07:38 And so, actually, the play that we scored on with Trey
07:40 was basically a double call where, you know,
07:42 he had to see the look, he had to make the check,
07:45 and, you know, ended up in a 26-yard touchdown.
07:48 And, you know, I appreciate just his preparation
07:51 and what he was able to do and, you know,
07:53 what he did in helping lead us to victory.
07:56 Seemed pretty obvious that Florida was, like,
08:01 focusing on Keon Mnooka, let him beat him.
08:04 He's had a couple games where he's kind of been
08:05 a little more quiet.
08:07 Is there something you guys have to do differently
08:09 this game at Mopin, or is it just how defense --
08:11 just taking what the defense gives at that point?
08:13 I mean, you know, he had some opportunities.
08:14 You know, obviously, you look at --
08:16 we were limited in overall play, you know, numbers.
08:20 I mean, the time of possession part of that game
08:22 was something that made it difficult.
08:24 But, you know, you try to give guys, you know, opportunities.
08:27 And, you know, there were some that, you know,
08:30 in his control and then some that were out of his control
08:32 and things that -- where we can be better.
08:36 And, you know, ultimately, he's a phenomenal player,
08:38 and we want him to be able to make a positive impact
08:40 on every game, and he did.
08:42 You know, he had a big catch there
08:44 in that opening drive of the second half.
08:48 You know, obviously, his punt return was a huge play
08:52 in the drive to go and regain the lead.
08:55 And so, you know, he's going to make an impact.
08:57 And, you know, obviously, we want to give him
08:59 as many opportunities to impact the game
09:02 in a positive way that we can.
09:03 So we're going to continue with that.
09:05 I thought Johnny played really well.
09:06 I thought, you know, other guys were able
09:09 to make their presence felt.
09:11 And, you know, that's going to be a part of this week
09:13 is trying to find ways to get our playmakers
09:16 and put them in the best position to go make plays.
09:19 Go to Kurt for our laundry, right?
09:21 Rebuilds of a program often aren't.
09:23 The growth isn't often linear, but for you all,
09:25 I mean, it's been pretty remarkable.
09:26 Regular season wins three to five to nine to 12.
09:29 I guess, what do you think has been the biggest key
09:31 to the gradual improvement the last few years have been?
09:34 How much of a testament to the players buying into
09:35 all the steps it was going to take to get here?
09:37 Yeah, I mean, it all goes to the players.
09:39 I mean, the players are the ones that, you know,
09:41 they've made the commitment.
09:42 You know, they've put in the work.
09:45 You know, you can set a standard,
09:46 but if people aren't willing to push to the standard
09:48 and hold themselves accountable to it,
09:50 you know, I've got an incredible staff.
09:52 I mean, even our staff meeting this morning,
09:54 you know, it's just the constant challenge
09:57 for improvement, for growth.
09:59 You know, we have to work as a staff to be an example of that.
10:02 You know, I think you've got to be humble,
10:05 you know, in the work and to work.
10:07 And, you know, anybody can start feeling good
10:10 about where you are or what you've done
10:11 or what you've been able to accomplish, and trust me.
10:14 You know, when I said earlier,
10:16 one of the things I'm most excited about, we're 12-0.
10:17 I mean, you have an undefeated regular season.
10:20 You know, that's the fourth time in program history
10:22 that you've been, you know, 4-0 in a season --
10:24 or, you know, 12-0 in a season.
10:27 But where do you go from here?
10:29 I mean, it's not -- that's --
10:31 there's nothing to be satisfied with.
10:32 I mean, you're appreciative of the work you've put in.
10:35 But, I mean, I want better, and these players want better.
10:38 We want to see that next step to be taken.
10:41 And this week, you get to play in a conference championship,
10:44 and, you know, you win the game,
10:46 you know, all things are in front of you.
10:47 So, you know, I'm grateful for every player,
10:52 for every coach, you know, the entire department,
10:55 and, you know, the support staff,
10:59 you know, all the investment that's gone in
11:00 is to see those positive steps.
11:03 But, you know, we're just getting started
11:05 to where we're going.
11:06 I absolutely believe that.
11:07 And, you know, it's just when you have a special group
11:11 of people you get to do this with, you want all.
11:13 You want to see all the things they can do,
11:15 all that they can accomplish, and it's a daily journey.
11:18 And we have the choice today of what we want it to look like.
11:21 And if we're willing to continue to push
11:23 and continue to strive for that improvement,
11:27 then, you know, I think you'll find good things
11:30 on the other end of it.
11:32 Go to Ira.
11:34 You mentioned yesterday on the conference call
11:37 the slow starts in the last few games,
11:39 not starting as well as you guys would like.
11:41 And I think you mentioned also that they were emotional games.
11:46 How does that manifest?
11:47 Is it just letting details slip,
11:49 or why do you think some of those things have happened?
11:52 Yeah, I mean, it's a combination
11:55 because it's not just one area.
11:57 It's been a variety of things that have shown up early
12:01 where we have to be better.
12:03 And I think I definitely don't --
12:06 I'm pleased with the response.
12:08 You know, it's a heck of a lot more stressful
12:10 when you start off the way we have the last two weeks.
12:13 But, you know, I mean, our guys are prepared.
12:15 You know, they understand it's just --
12:17 it comes down to the execution of all the things
12:20 that you work throughout the course of a week.
12:23 And, you know, there was a couple
12:26 of the third-down conversions we gave up.
12:28 I mean, all the right intentions.
12:30 You know, eyes are right.
12:32 You know, just a small fundamental here or there
12:34 that, you know, loss leverage, gain leverage.
12:36 You know, just a little bit more communication, you know,
12:40 in that time.
12:41 And so those things sometimes happen early in the game.
12:43 And you got to take a deep breath,
12:45 and you got to go and respond and make the correction
12:48 or just have a little bit more focus on the finer,
12:52 you know, elements of putting yourself in the best position.
12:56 You know, we saw that there on the very first drive.
12:59 And I think I might have mentioned after the game,
13:01 you know, Trey Benson had an unbelievable game
13:04 as the game went on.
13:05 I mean, that first run that he had,
13:06 I was pretty frustrated with the first run.
13:10 And, you know, it's all the things that you work
13:14 and you do, and he knows it.
13:15 And, like, I mean, he came over to me and said,
13:17 like, coach, you know, he knew it immediately.
13:21 But it's just in those times
13:23 where you want to do everything for your team
13:24 and you want this to be the perfect game.
13:27 You want it to be --
13:28 you don't have to go and almost do too much.
13:31 And sometimes I think you see that in those emotional games.
13:34 We're going to have an emotional game come Saturday.
13:36 And all we need to do is just go B.S.
13:38 And, you know, we know we're playing a great opponent.
13:41 We know we're going to play --
13:42 I mean, it's going to be a great atmosphere.
13:43 It's going to be all the things that you want
13:45 to be able to play in a championship game.
13:46 But, I mean, just go play your game.
13:48 And, you know, trust what you see.
13:50 Trust your fundamentals.
13:52 And, you know, I think that will help contribute
13:54 to getting to a better and faster start
13:57 that we're accustomed to.
13:58 On the sacks that Tate took, the one in the end zone
14:04 and then there was -- I think there was one
14:06 in the second half, too.
14:08 Is that just a matter of more reps,
14:09 more live game reps and under --
14:12 you know what I mean, like the pocket feel and presence?
14:14 Is that something that comes with more reps?
14:16 The third down, I mean, we got zero blitzed.
14:18 I mean, and, you know, we knew that was a potential
14:22 of what we could face and what we'd see.
14:24 And, you know, there's things that we had to clean up
14:26 and, you know, just trusting what we saw
14:30 and, you know, reacting accordingly.
14:32 And, you know, it was --
14:34 and then the second one was really --
14:35 I mean, it was a coverage sack that, you know,
14:37 they had -- I mean, they matched up the concept really well.
14:41 They got good push, you know, inside
14:42 and kind of the pocket collapsed on them.
14:44 I mean, those are the two that, you know, you --
14:46 you know, there were two different extremes.
14:49 But, you know, I think that, you know,
14:51 the thing I was proud of Tate as much as anything
14:53 is that, you know, he came out of that game
14:55 and he did not put the ball in jeopardy.
14:56 He was -- you know, we knew that was one of the key components
15:00 of this game, and sometimes when you face that,
15:02 whether you face a house blitz, you know,
15:05 if you just throw the ball up or if you don't --
15:07 if, you know, those things happen,
15:08 I mean, you're putting yourself in, you know, in harm's way,
15:11 you know, even on the second sack
15:13 where everything was covered down,
15:15 they did a really nice job in it,
15:17 you know, not necessarily forcing it.
15:19 You know, obviously he was trying to work himself
15:21 out of the pocket and to be able to be a threat with that.
15:24 But, you know, I thought it was something he did really well.
15:27 And then the pass to Ja'Kai
15:29 was the exact same presentation of pressure
15:32 of what we were sacked on.
15:34 And he saw it, he reacted,
15:36 he put the ball where it needed to be,
15:37 and, you know, that was one of the biggest plays in the game.
15:40 So you saw growth and progression
15:42 throughout it, but, you know, I mean,
15:45 those are all part of those learning experiences
15:47 and, you know, things that you practice,
15:49 and the early application of it, you know,
15:52 they're within a contest.
15:54 Matt, third row on your right.
15:57 I know it's a new coach and a different team and all that,
15:59 but the fact that Louisville was the team
16:01 that Tate had to come in and beat last year,
16:02 does that give them any extra confidence
16:04 going into this game?
16:06 I mean, it's a different team.
16:09 I mean, they've got a lot of new players.
16:11 They've got a lot of, you know, some guys that are returning,
16:14 you know, guys that we're familiar with,
16:16 but it's, you know, it is the next game.
16:19 It's the next opportunity.
16:21 I mean, you're playing in a championship game,
16:23 getting a chance to the two best teams in the ACC
16:26 are going to square off, and, you know,
16:28 we got to go, and every player, whether, you know,
16:31 no matter how many games you've played up to this point,
16:33 how many games you've started, I mean,
16:35 you got to go be your best in this one,
16:37 and, you know, for Tate, for all.
16:41 I mean, we all have to, you know,
16:44 push ourselves to that level this week,
16:47 and I know we're all excited about the opportunity.
16:49 Kind of a topic, but I know you take pride
16:54 in what other FSU athletic programs do.
16:57 Volleyball won the ACC, co-ACC champion.
16:59 They're going to be playing Friday,
17:01 believe in, and soccer's playing the college cup on Friday.
17:04 Just how much excitement does it build
17:06 when other programs are doing great,
17:07 and you guys are playing the ACC championship
17:08 game the same weekend?
17:10 No, I mean, it's awesome,
17:11 and for all the programs right now,
17:14 I mean, to see the continued progression,
17:19 you know, Coach Penske and what they're doing in soccer,
17:21 I mean, it's exciting.
17:22 You know, Coach Poole in volleyball,
17:23 I mean, it's remarkable the season that they're having,
17:26 and, you know, as we all, you know,
17:29 continue to aspire for more and putting our best foot forward,
17:32 I mean, it's what makes Florida State special.
17:33 I mean, there is a, you know, this is a athletic department
17:38 and a university that's striving for excellence,
17:41 and, you know, we're trying to do that on the field,
17:44 but also with what we're doing off the field,
17:45 and when you're around successful,
17:49 like-minded people that have a desire
17:51 and a push to achieve to the best of our ability,
17:54 I mean, it is contagious within a department,
17:56 and, you know, we are huge fans of all the programs,
18:02 and, you know, with basketball starting off,
18:03 and Brooke and them, they've started off with a great start.
18:07 You know, Leonard and the basketball team,
18:08 you know, had one setback, but then it came out
18:10 with a remarkable response and a top-25 win.
18:13 I mean, that's what this department's about,
18:15 and, you know, we've got great people,
18:17 you know, great student-athletes.
18:18 I mean, just really grateful for the opportunity
18:22 we get to represent it, and, you know, obviously,
18:24 we have our shot come Saturday night.
18:29 Wanted to ask you about two Louisville playmakers,
18:31 Gerard Jordan, what impresses you about him
18:33 as a running back, his tracks, everything he does,
18:35 and then Jermari Thrash as a receiver.
18:37 Why is he so effective?
18:38 What makes him such a difficult matchup?
18:40 I mean, both those guys are tremendous playmakers,
18:41 and, you know, Jordan is --
18:44 He's fast, he's strong, he's tough.
18:46 He's got, you know, really good balance and feet.
18:48 If he gets in the open field, you know,
18:49 he's got, you know, game-changing speed.
18:52 You know, he's a dynamic player,
18:54 and he plays in a great system that creates space for him,
18:58 and, you know, he knows what to do when he gets it.
19:00 You know, it's going to be a great challenge for our guys.
19:03 You know, I think they've got three backs
19:04 that are really, really good,
19:06 so, you know, it's definitely a great backfield.
19:09 You know, Thrash is --
19:10 You know, he's so good with the ball in his hands.
19:12 You know, he's a guy that can win in routes.
19:15 You know, he's got -- You can change directions.
19:17 You know, he does have the vertical playmaking ability,
19:20 but, you know, when he gets the ball in his hands,
19:22 you know, he's tough to bring down.
19:24 You know, he's a catch-and-run type of player,
19:25 so, you know, you've got to be on top of him
19:29 in a sense of, you know, being sticky in coverage
19:33 and not allowing him to get too much space,
19:35 and then, you know, obviously,
19:37 whenever he does get his hands on the ball,
19:38 you've got to rally to be able to get him down
19:40 because if not, you know, he can definitely make you pay.
19:43 We'll go to Jordan Thurder on your left.
19:45 Coach, they ran the ball 44 out of 60 plays.
19:48 Did you expect them to run the ball that much,
19:50 and how do you think the defense feared in the rushing attack?
19:52 Yeah, you know, we did.
19:54 I mean, we expected -- And we knew that, you know,
19:56 them having a young quarterback
19:58 that was really kind of a dual threat,
20:00 we knew there would be, you know,
20:02 probably more of those opportunities
20:04 that would present themselves, and, you know,
20:05 I thought our guys did a good job.
20:06 I mean, there was a few things, you know, fit-wise
20:08 where we were, you know, we got misaligned.
20:10 We had, you know, a couple misfits
20:12 that allowed bigger runs than what we wanted,
20:15 but, you know, I thought our guys,
20:17 you know, they battled, and they were tough.
20:19 They were physical.
20:21 I thought you sensed the pursuit and, you know,
20:24 obviously, you know, that physical nature
20:28 of what we wanted to play with because, I mean, it was a --
20:30 You know, it's a big off the line.
20:32 It's a couple of really talented backs,
20:34 and then, you know, just the dynamic
20:35 of what the quarterback brought to it,
20:37 but, you know, I was proud of our guys,
20:39 and, you know, to be able to make the adjustments
20:42 there in the second half to try to eliminate
20:44 some of those, you know, bigger runs that they had had,
20:47 you know, it was impressive,
20:49 and we were able to create, you know, a good number of TFLs
20:52 and explosive plays defensively,
20:53 and, you know, those guys, you know, they did a great job.
20:57 We'll go to Ed Vaughn in the back right corner.
21:00 You made mention about in July you guys had a plan
21:02 for where you wanted to be in December
21:04 and that it's kind of come to fruition.
21:06 Was it like a supreme confidence
21:08 you would be 12-0 at this point?
21:09 Was it hallmarks to the season
21:11 where you wanted to have certain guys here in October
21:13 and then have them performing this way in December?
21:15 Can you kind of maybe talk a little bit more about that?
21:17 No, I mean, you know, you want to see progression,
21:20 and I know we've talked about it the last few years,
21:22 but, you know, you want to be pushing
21:24 and playing your best ball in November
21:25 so that you can go into December and have these opportunities,
21:28 and, you know, to be able to go through the year
21:32 and, you know, undefeated, I mean, that's a great thing.
21:34 You know, but you want to make sure
21:36 that you're putting your players in a position
21:37 that they are building throughout the course of the year.
21:40 And, you know, I mean, guys get, you know, bumps.
21:42 They get burges. You know, you get tired.
21:44 I mean, it's part of the journey,
21:46 but you don't want to see the fatigue
21:50 to show up in their performance.
21:52 You know, you got to be smart with them.
21:53 You got to make sure you're taking care of them,
21:55 but you're also building them up,
21:57 you know, throughout the season
21:59 and, you know, at all points to times like this.
22:02 I mean, this is what you do it for,
22:04 to be able to play in a championship game,
22:05 to be able to, you know,
22:07 to carry that over into all things that are beyond.
22:10 And so, you know, it is a --
22:13 Yeah, do I want to be 12-0? Absolutely.
22:15 Yes. That was to say that we knew exactly
22:18 that it would be that.
22:20 We felt like if we prepared and put our guys
22:22 in the best position that they could achieve
22:24 to all that they could,
22:26 and they've done that to this point.
22:28 Obviously, we have a plan, you know, this week
22:29 of what we want it to look like
22:31 and what we believe we need to go play our best game
22:35 come Saturday night, and, you know,
22:37 we got to go execute that plan.
22:39 Jerry, front row, you're up.
22:41 Mike, the offensive line, it seemed a game
22:45 where they had challenges with the opponent
22:48 and then also maybe with some injuries
22:51 that they were fighting through,
22:52 and it seemed they endured throughout the game.
22:56 Could you talk about if grit is the right word?
23:01 Yeah, I mean, they had that, and, you know, we have a --
23:04 We've got good depth on the offensive line,
23:06 but it's definitely been tested.
23:07 You know, I mean, guys --
23:10 Rob Scott, I mean, he's had a --
23:13 Guy that started three years here,
23:15 and he's had a challenging year
23:17 just of what he's had to deal with physically,
23:19 and trying to get himself available
23:22 throughout the course of the week,
23:23 and we feel like he's getting there
23:27 and going to be able to provide us more assistance.
23:30 I mean, in that, Maurice, he battles.
23:33 I mean, it's just -- He got rolled up once.
23:37 You know, he's had to fight and work through it.
23:40 I thought Darius Washington played probably his best game.
23:43 I was really pleased with what I saw from him.
23:45 You see JB's getting better.
23:46 I mean, we've got a really good group.
23:50 You know, some of the challenges that showed up were real,
23:53 but there's also times that I thought we did
23:56 a lot of good things, and it's continuing to make sure
24:01 that everybody's in flow and in sequence
24:04 to maximize the opportunities we get,
24:06 whether it's in protections, whether it's in a run game.
24:09 But, I mean, this is -- Our offensive line,
24:12 I mean, they work their tails off,
24:14 and it is a talented group.
24:15 It's one that has been tested,
24:18 but it's one that's responded with mental toughness,
24:21 physical toughness, and I know they're going to be ready
24:24 to battle because, you know, we got our hands full this week
24:26 with an extremely impressive Louisville front.
24:31 Stay there for Kirk.
24:33 The defensive line rotation, especially early on,
24:36 is the fourth quarter Saturday kind of with the high-level play
24:39 Jared and Pat gave you late,
24:40 kind of proof of concept of how you're hoping that plays out?
24:43 Yeah, absolutely.
24:44 Not just with the defensive front.
24:45 It's really with as many positions as you can.
24:50 You know, we're finishing the game strong,
24:53 and when you're able to see guys,
24:56 whether it's Byron or Gilbert,
24:57 you know, they're at the end position that can go in there
24:59 and give you really quality reps
25:02 throughout the course of the game,
25:03 I mean, that's just that much more gas in the tank
25:07 that Jared and Pat will have in those critical situations,
25:11 and I thought that was a heck of an ending
25:15 in how those guys were able to play in the fourth quarter
25:17 and obviously the impact they were able to make,
25:20 and so it is a big-picture approach,
25:23 and I know I mentioned it,
25:25 I think it was even in the preseason,
25:28 you know, just when you show,
25:30 when you look at successful teams,
25:31 when you can have that type of rotation
25:34 throughout the course of the year,
25:36 I mean, one, it's going to be needed.
25:37 We've had guys that have been up and been down,
25:41 but when you're able to get to this time of the year
25:44 and they still have that growth
25:47 and you've taken off some of that pound to their bodies,
25:54 I mean, you get to play at a really high level
25:57 when it's in the fourth quarter,
25:58 it's the month of November, now heading into December,
26:00 so you're definitely excited about how it's all come together.
26:04 All right, we're going to go to two more.
26:06 Corey?
26:08 I know coaches like to look forward,
26:10 but when you look back at this season,
26:12 what Jane Daniels did to the rest of the schedule,
26:15 it has only touched out against you guys,
26:17 came with a minute left down by 28,
26:20 and then also what Clemson has done since you guys beat them.
26:23 You're the only team to beat them in Death Valley.
26:25 They're eight and four. They're top 20-ish team.
26:28 I guess 12-0 is 12-0. That's always awesome,
26:31 but those wins so long ago now, how important are they?
26:35 How big are they in hindsight,
26:36 what you guys did to Jane Daniels
26:38 in winning in Death Valley?
26:39 Yeah, we knew the challenge going in,
26:40 and as the season progresses,
26:44 there's always going to be different elements that show up.
26:47 We knew Jane Daniels was going to be
26:48 a really good player this year,
26:50 and they had very talented receivers.
26:53 We knew that it was a game
26:55 that we were going to have to play at a very high level,
26:57 and I thought our guys, they answered the call.
27:00 Did they make some plays? Yes, they did.
27:02 Our guys, they battled.
27:04 We gave up an 80-yard touchdown
27:06 on a bunch of young guys getting their very first snap ever,
27:10 and that was something that still shows up.
27:15 But I thought for the majority of that game,
27:17 especially the second half,
27:18 just to do what we did was awesome.
27:21 And you see how he's progressed,
27:23 and he's had one of the best seasons
27:24 in college football history probably.
27:26 I mean, he's done a remarkable job,
27:28 and he's a special player, but I was proud of our guys then,
27:31 and I'm still proud of them now for what they were able to do
27:34 in that game, and then the Clemson win,
27:38 I knew it then, you never know
27:40 what the final record's going to be,
27:41 and obviously everybody has their own situations,
27:44 but I knew going into that place,
27:46 I mean, it was going to be hard.
27:48 It was going to be tough, and to do the things that we did,
27:52 being down, having to come back, winning in overtime,
27:56 I didn't expect anybody else to go in there and win,
27:58 and that's something that we can point to
28:03 and say that's one of those moments.
28:05 It's something that we needed as a program.
28:06 It's something that we needed for ourselves
28:09 just to show that we could go and do
28:12 in a very adverse situation,
28:14 and nobody wanted to sit there Friday night
28:17 being down 12-nothing on the road.
28:20 We've been there, and that's where you can take
28:22 that experience and say, all right,
28:24 stay true to who you are, go get better,
28:26 let's make the adjustments that need to be made,
28:28 and our guys found a way.
28:30 Last one, Ira.
28:32 Last two, multilayered.
28:34 Multilayered, making up for it.
28:36 With Tate, two things.
28:39 One, did the down-and-distance situations
28:41 and the field position situations,
28:43 did that affect what you were tempted to do
28:46 with him in that situation,
28:48 considering it was his first start in a long time,
28:49 early in that game? He's going early, yeah.
28:51 And then also, when he was coming off the field,
28:54 was he seeing it, and when you watched the film,
28:56 did he see what he --
28:57 Oh, yeah, I thought he --
28:59 There were a couple of plays where maybe his eyes
29:03 didn't get exactly where we wanted,
29:05 I mean, but it was -- He saw it.
29:07 I mean, he was on it.
29:11 It was the worst combination of things
29:12 you could hope for at the beginning of a game
29:14 for a first-time --
29:17 you know, first start of the year for him,
29:20 and I just --
29:22 But that's where you sit there,
29:24 like, the appreciation for him, like, the poise, right,
29:27 the ability to respond, the intelligence, the preparation.
29:31 I mean, when we get sacked for a safety,
29:33 and we're down 12-0,
29:35 and really haven't done anything on offense,
29:38 to come back on that two-minute drive,
29:40 and with, like, the throw to Jaheim,
29:42 I was like, "All right, that's a real guy."
29:44 And, you know, third down to Johnny,
29:47 like, he's throwing the ball before Johnny's
29:48 even coming out of the break.
29:49 Like, just, man, it makes me so proud.
29:52 And I'll tell you, I was proud of Brock.
29:54 I mean, Brock gets thrown in a situation,
29:56 true freshman, been injured for most of the year.
29:58 All right, here we go.
29:59 And, like, he just --
30:00 Like, he's got something about him
30:03 that is just, you know, really impressive.
30:06 But there is the expectation.
30:08 I mean, you never know when your number's going to be called,
30:10 and what are you going to do with it.
30:12 But I thought Tate saw the field extremely well.
30:15 You know, he knew where he wanted to go, like I said,
30:18 other than just a couple of plays here and there.
30:20 But, you know, a lot of guys have that.
30:23 And, I mean, that's something where that goes back
30:26 to the very beginning.
30:27 I said, you know, we're 12-0.
30:28 We're here at this point, and there's so many areas
30:30 we get to continue and improve.
30:32 And now the challenge is on us to go get better.
30:35 All right, thank you, Coach. Thank you.
30:36 You guys have a great day. You, too.
30:38 Alright.