University of Georgia Athletics
October 21, 2003 | Football
Oct. 21, 2003
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Pre-UAB Press Conference Video/Audio |
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Webcasting resources provided by the UGA New Media Institute
Georgia Head Coach Mark Richt
"We've got quite a challenge ahead of us this week in UAB, seeing what happened last week with them against TCU. UAB really had TCU on the ropes until their quarterback (Darrell Hackney) was injured, and TCU is tied right now with Oklahoma as having the longest win streak in the nation."
| Prior to Tuesday's press conference, Coach Richt was presented a ribbon promoting Georgia's Red Ribbon Campaign for a drug free society. |
"They're very athletic, fast and physical. The whole team plays with great enthusiasm. They play hard every time out and they like to celebrate good play. Number 90 (DT, Sam Williamson) is a tremendous player. All three of their linebackers are guys that are really athletic and I'm concerned for our backfield. They're the kind of guys who don't dance around you, they run right through you.
"Our receivers will have a big challenge trying to block them in the running game. A big key for us will be how well our receivers block their corners."
On UAB's weapons
"Roddy White is their big threat at receiver. He'll catch the tough pass in the crowd. They've got some good return personnel, and their field goal kicker is at ten for twelve. UAB has a very good team all-around."
On concern for team's first half performance against Vandy
"It was not pretty. Some of it was that we didn't block very well. Some of it was that Vandy had a very good plan. Another part of it was that some of skill positions were pretty banged up. I was cautious with (Bryan) McClendon at first, but he started making some plays for us and it was a huge boost for our team. Until a guy does it in a game, he's not sure and we're not sure, but he did a great job."
On team penalties
"You look at a team like Arkansas and what has happened to them the last couple of weeks. They had a couple of penalties called on them that very well may have cost them those games. If we continue at this pace being called for penalties, we're certainly going to have some that hurt us. Football is a game of momentum, so when it gets broken by a penalty and you possibly lose the chance to continue a drive, or you prolong your opponent's drive, it hurts that momentum, and it can cost you big."
The following are player quotes from Tuesday's press conference.
| Quarterback David Greene talks about the slow start at Vanderbilt and how the offense can improve this week. |
QB David Greene on last week's Vanderbilt game:
"We started off as slow as we have ever started offensively in a game. We've done a pretty good job starting out well. Luckily we came out in the second half and played better. Being down 2-0 at halftime, we had to have a gut check. We have to be ready to play in any atmosphere. I think we got humbled pretty well last week. I think everyone will be a little more focused this week."
WR Bryan McClendon on career game last week at Vanderbilt:
"I was definitely a little nervous, but I knew I had to take the most of the opportunity. I had to make sure I had the fundamentals right and didn't blow any assignments."
OL Russ Tanner on last week's Vanderbilt game and UAB preparation:
"We have goals every week and one of those is to get a win, and we got the win. You have to give a lot of credit to Vanderbilt. We made some mistakes, but every mistake we made I think was a correctable one. I hope we don't need a tough game to get more focused. We can be beaten any week. Every game is huge for us. If we want to be in the national picture, every game is equally big for us."
| FB Jamario Smith talks about facing UAB. |
FB Jamario Smith on UAB game:
"Any team is dangerous, especially with the way we started out last week and the way they (UAB) played against TCU. They're really good and aggressive on defense. I'm sure they saw our weaknesses last week and will try to exploit them."
DB Mike Gilliam on UAB:
"We have to come out with the same intensity and try to win. (UAB) will be pumped up and ready to go. They're a good passing team. We have to stay in our coverage and have a good pass rush."
On Georgia's top-ranked defense:
"It means a lot, and it goes a long way. Coach (Brian) Van Gorder puts a lot of work in getting us prepared. We are a unified defense. Everybody is playing for everybody else."
| DE Quentin Moses talks about the Bulldogs' preparation for UAB. |
DB Tim Jennings on not over-looking UAB:
"We're just worried about UAB right now. We're taking it one game at a time. You see that in the focus we have in practice every week. Every game counts. Our coaches don't allow that and make sure we're ready and focused. We take UAB real serious. They'll come in fired up and we can't let anything get passed us. We just have to have a good week of practice and stay focused."
DE Quentin Moses on UAB:
"They have some good players. You can't take anybody lightly. We have to play the whole game. They have some huge offensive linemen that have nice feet and they are strong. We have to work on fundamentals this week. We just have to come in and play hard. Records can be deceiving, just like stats can be deceiving. On any given game, you can lose to anybody, so you have to come out and play every week."
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