University of Georgia Athletics
Tennessee Press Conference Quotes
October 08, 2002 | Football
Oct. 8, 2002
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Press Conference Audio
Webcasting resources provided by the UGA New Media Institute
Head Coach Mark Richt
On Tennessee:
"This game is definitely a big game for us. I know there's going to be a lot of excitement with our fans and I think our players are excited about it. I think our players understand that Tennessee's a great football team. I think they understand that Tennessee's program is what most people in the country want their programs to be - a team that's been winning a lot for a lot of years, a team that's got great players. They recruit well. They've got great facilities. They've got great coaching. They've got it going. We're trying to get to where they are. This game is big for that reason, too. It's still early in the SEC race, but it's a big game in the East. We're looking forward to it."
On Tennessee quarterback Casey Clausen's status and how Georgia prepares: "I don't know what we could do. I don't know if there's a lot of film on (UT back-up QB C.J.) Leak. I know C.J. I recruited C.J. while I was at Florida State. I got to know him and his family. He's a very talented guy, too. I would say he's very much the same style as Clausen. I see him as being a pocket passer who can read coverages and hit his target. I think Casey's pretty much in that mold. The thing about Tennessee, offensively and defensively, they're doing just about the same things this year that they've been doing for years and years. They don't change much and for good reason. They've been winning and they've got the players to execute what they're trying to do. They've got a real solid system and I don't think they'd change it a whole lot if Casey couldn't play."
On UT RB Jabari Davis:
"The thing I know about Jabari Davis is how sad we were when we didn't sign him. He was a home state player who we tried our best to get. We couldn't get him, he went to Tennessee and now we have to face him. You hate to have a guy from your own state come back and beat you. We're facing that possibility this week. He's big and strong and powerful. He's got good speed for a big man."
Tennessee's defense:
"The first game I looked at was Arkansas and I really thought when it got to overtime I was going to see a bunch of tired guys. The thing I saw that impressed me the most about Tennessee's defense was that they didn't look tired. They were still flying around the ball. They're a great looking football team. They're muscular. They're lean. They look like an NFL farm club- a bunch of NFL players just waiting to get drafted."
On UT WR Kelley Washington:
"I don't know if one guy can cover Washington, not for an entire ball game. You may get away with it once in awhile. If you down after down try to cover him with one guy, I don't think we'd have much success. He's big and strong and fast and confident. He wants the ball. He's just a play maker. He's been a professional athlete before. I just don't see him getting rattled by anything. I think he believes he can dominate anybody they put on him, we or probably anybody in the NFL too. He probably figures whoever tries to cover him, he can beat him. He probably can."
On Georgia's secondary:
"They've played well, considering a lot of them are first time starters. Decory Bryant didn't start all last year, he started the last few games. (Bruce) Thornton, he's had his ups and downs in his career, but I think he's still holding up pretty good. The young corners are getting better. Are those guys ready for Washington? I don't think so, but as a group the safeties have done a pretty good job. They all have their little problems, little inconsistencies and things that they have to clean up about their game to really be solid, but overall they've played pretty good. They'll be tested this week for sure."
Georgia Player Quotes from Tuesday Press Conference:
#22 Decory Bryant -- WC, Jr., 5-11, 184:
(On this week)
"We were able to enjoy the Alabama victory after the game and on the way home. We woke up the next day and had to start thinking about Tennessee and what we need to do to get victory against them."
(On Team's Confidence)
"Our confidence has been growing with every victory. Saturday was a very big day for us. We have to go out there and play our best game for us to continue to compete in the SEC."
(On Winning last two in the series)
"It helps, but it also gives Tennessee something to look forward to against Georgia. They may be a little upset about that victory in Knoxville and the one here--they might be looking for a little revenge. Last week we were the underdogs and no one thought we had a chance. This week, some people think we have a chance and maybe that will motivate Tennessee. We have to go out there and be prepared to play them."
#49 J.T. Wall, FB, Sr., 5-11, 260:
(On the running game last week)
"We last week as an accomplishment, but we also want to do that every game. We don't want to pat ourselves on the back for something we should do tonight. We think we can go out there and do that each week."
(On Tennessee's defense)
"They've got a lot of quick guys out there. Their secondary really fast, their defensive line is really fast, and the linebackers move around a lot. They do a lot of movement on defense that we have to get adjusted to this week. "
(On the team's confidence)
"I think it's growing and as far as inside the team, it's grown a lot. We're taking a lot of the doubters out of the circle. For the people who doubt us, we like to step up to the challenge each week."
#82 Fred Gibson, SE, So., 6-4, 190:
(On staying focused on Tennessee)
"There's not much time to enjoy what we did last week, but last week is last week. This week is Tennessee. It's a huge SEC game we have to win. We're not trying to go out to anything different, we're just trying to go out and win."
(On his touchdown catch against Alabama)
"I really can't tell how I caught that ball. It just happened. I just kept my eyes on the ball. I just made the catch and it was a touchdown."
(On his season)
"It's really special. Coach Richt and the entire coaching staff do a great job of getting everybody involved in the offense. We've got a whole lot of weapons--you can't just focus on one person. But the coaching staff is doing a really good job of moving the ball around and doing different things."
(On preparing for Tennessee)
"First of all it's going to take a good week of practice starting with today. We're going to practice hard and hopefully what we do in practice this week will carry over into the game and we'll come out with a victory."
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