Watch & Read: Three really good practices last week

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Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators

• September Superlatives
• Grading the two-deep defensive depth chart
• Grading the two-deep offensive depth chart
• Florida Football 3-2-1: How will Lagway be utilized going forward
• Recruit Reaction: I loved the tight end play
• OTM: Is there a path to a fourth year
• Ranking UF’s commits from least to most likely to jump ship
• What names are on your Coaching Hot Board

Florida head coach Billy Napier along with quarterback Graham Mertz and cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. met with the media on Monday to discuss the season to date and the upcoming game against Central Florida.

BILLY NAPIER

BILLY NAPIER. …one of the things I was able to do last week, had an opportunity to get involved with the Fixel Institute on campus. My dad passed away I think last week would have been seven years ago from ALS, Lou Gerig’s Disease, I became aware and familiar with the Fixel Institution committee after meeting Lee Fixel who’s a grad and investor.

So becoming more familiar with that. I think it’s one of about a dozen elite centers throughout the country that does incredible work on these neurological diseases, whether that is Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, ALS, there is a number of categories there.

Was involved with a fundraiser, and tremendous amount of respect for the work they’re doing on campus here. To know that’s five minutes from here is pretty special. Thankful for that opportunity, and hopefully they continue to grow and there is more opportunities for research and how to improve care.

Really impressive place.

I do think our football team got better. We had three really good practices Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. I think the staff and the players did a great job competing. I think they competed; all three days were very competitive. One of the better open dates I’ve been a part of. I think we’re hopeful we improved in a lot of areas that can help our team going forward.

This week is a big week. UCF obviously in-state opponent right down the road that’s recently made the jump into the BigXII and P4 football.

And they have a very established staff. You know, I think Coach Malzahn just a tremendous amount of respect for his career, all that he’s accomplished as a head coach and offensive coordinator.

Their identity as a team reflects that. He’s a really good coach. Their rushing attack, the quarterback run game, the three level shots, the complementary plays, really a challenge there for our defense.

And I think Ted Roof has been around the block and got tremendous experience as a coordinator, and I think they have good personnel on defense.

Special teams, very much a game plan outfit. Can cause some headaches for you. I do think they have an explosive returner, so got a good football team coming into The Swamp on Saturday night.

We’re looking forward to competing with these guys.

What do we got?

Q. Another sellout At the Swamp. The importance of maybe capturing that, getting off to a quick start, how important is that going to be for the team?

BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, no, I think starting fast is critical to playing winning football. Certainly when you play at home, if we’re able to get the crowd into the game, it’s a big piece of puzzle.

There is no doubt that will be one of the keys to playing winning football Saturday night. We got to start fast and get our fans involved, and I think that we did that a little bit better at Mississippi State. I think that was a big part of the game.

Q. What were some of the fingers that you think you put your finger on defensively during the bye week that you feel like you addressed and got fixed?

BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, I think we were a little closer the last time we were out, but still I think between-play process, I think playing against tempo, I think that overall, that group needs a little bit more consistency.

I think our ability to do it down in, down out; did a good job on third down at times. Like we talked about before, there is four, five possessions in the game where it’s like we disappear. Whether it was the tempo possession where they scored in the first half and the two-minute possession right before the half.

Those are two examples of where we are playing really good defense for a half and two possessions where we kind of fall apart.

So all the research that we did in this past week, alignment, assignment, techniques, fundamentals, those are the areas we spent a lot time on this past week.

Q. How close are you to getting your team healthy again? You had stated that the bye week would be good for that.

BILLY NAPIER: I think it’s to be determined a little bit. I do think we got a couple guys back. I think given the current format of injuries and availability reports and all that, we’re not commenting specifically.

I do think it was good for our guys to have a couple days off. We didn’t coddle them. I will tell you that. It was real in there for three days.

So we worked extremely hard Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in full pads. We got after it. I think committed to giving them Friday and Saturday off, and then we were back in the building yesterday.

So I think we’re closer. I think obviously we’re not commenting specifically about injuries, but I do think it was a good week for us.

Q. Your involvement with the scout team and maybe on the defensive side, do you continue that? Ramp it up? Maybe set the tone and back off and see what they do?

BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, no, I think we’ll be intentional about making sure that that environment is what we want it to be, you know, and really just support the players. Their opinion matters, and I think, you know, no matter if it’s right or wrong sometimes, you got to listen.

I think the big thing is some of the things that we emphasized helped our team. I think we have to continue to do that. So there will be even more of that.

Ultimately, we have a very specific plan in terms of how we think we can come up with solutions for some of those things.

Q. Making changes personnel-wise, are there some — a couple guys that maybe popped in the Mississippi State game?

BILLY NAPIER: You know, I mean, I think a guy that I thought has been very productive, Jack Pyburn has had a lot of production. I think he played in that game well.

He would be a guy that would be at the top of the list in my opinion.

You know, I think some of the young backers are good players. You know, they continue to get a little bit better. We saw those guys take a step in the right direction last week.

And then we have to generate some form of a pass rush. We have to find a way to affect the quarterback and I think that’s an area where we are evaluating all the personnel that we’re trying to use, especially on third down.

And then we got very technical things that we’re working on, scramble drills, you know, I think just in general some situations.

Overall, I think the personnel is always up for evaluation.

Q. You mentioned kind of putting extra emphasis on listening to the players. Anything in particular that you heard from them that maybe you didn’t expect or that kind of jumped out?

BILLY NAPIER: No, I mean, I wouldn’t say there is — we always have great dialog. I meet with this group at 1:30 today. I think we got a smart, aware group. I think ultimately they understand and they want to come up with solutions, too. I think they take a tremendous amount of pride in what they do.

Overall, I think it’s a part of leadership, is just you’re trying to empower your people. I think at all levels, staff included, right? I think ultimately.

So we’ll continue to do that.

Q. How many do assignment and alignment issues on defense force to you simplify in terms of scheme trying to fix those things at this point in the season versus redrilling and establishing what you already had?

BILLY NAPIER: I think it’s a combination of both. I think you’re spot on. There is some of that maybe less is more, but also I think there is a teaching element to that and then there is an application in a game setting.

I think how do we recreate the game for the players? I think we been doing that. I would just say on offense. For example, that’s one of the things we do extremely well. Our scout team environment resembles the game in a lot of ways.

Justin Posthuma is the in-house defensive coordinator, so he’s in charge of recreating the game for the offensive players throughout the week. I will tell you he does a phenomenal job. We are trying to do the same things for special teams and defense.

Q. You talk about not coddling them last week. How much do you challenge this team physically with a run heavy team in UCF?

BILLY NAPIER: No, I would tell that you it was extremely competitive last week. It was a lot of fun to be quite honest, and I think you’ll have a chance to talk with the players they can give you more insight into that.

Yeah, thought it was phenomenal. Physical. It was fast. It was game-like. It was very competitive. It was scored. It was graded.

I mean, it was a lot of fun to be a part of. Hopeful that we got better. I feel as if we got better last week.

Q. You guys played KJ Jefferson, who gives that you look on the scout team?

BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, I don’t know that we can replicate 6’3″, 261 pounds, but, yeah, I do think we have made a cutup of that game, those scenarios that we were in, just the physical challenge of getting the guy down.

Not only when he’s a passer that’s extending the play, but also when he’s a design runner. He’s a big man and there is a certain — it’s part of the challenge of playing against a player like that.

So we definitely have made cutups and are trying to teach and anticipate that from the player as standpoint.

Q. UCF seems intent on and capable of running the football. What have you seen from them on tape, and talking to your guys about the important of your run fits and keeping them condition contained and in front of you?

BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, the quarterback is involved in all the elements of the run game. That’s the ultimate challenge. Gus does a really good job. It’s almost wing T/option blueprint here in terms of dive quarterback pitch, all the read elements, whether it’s zone read, power read.

And then they have a series of perimeter plays that go with that. I think the three level routes, there is a ton of eye discipline. Got to be sound on the edges. It’s typical. Coach Malzahn does a phenomenal job. There is a lot of the conflict and that’s going to be a big part of the week. Narrowing our focus a little bit, making sure we’re all buttoned up and ready to go.

Q. Anything you can take last year from the Arkansas game and KJ in terms of tendencies, or different offense, different scheme?

BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, no, it’s different, completely different world. I mean, the issues that he can create because he’s a big man, ultimately I think that’s what you take away from a that game.

A lot of the players on our team now were out there in those situations last year. So we have a ton of awareness.

Q. You had a great running back in Harvey, who can hit it on the inside and get that second level and then boom, he’s gone. How do you deal with a guy like that?

BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, he’s very similar to a player that we’ve had here in the past I would compare him to. This guy has a low center of gravity. He is elusive. He has some bulk to his frame. He can make you miss on the second level.

You know, I think he’s got really good instincts and vision. He’s patient. When he does get loose, he can really set you up. Does a nice job jump cutting. Good player.

They have got several backs. They got a multitude of backs. You pair that with the quarterback element, and that’s ultimately where the challenge is.

Q. Were you able to watch any of the Alabama-Georgia game?

BILLY NAPIER: I did, I watched it.

Q. When you see that, do you get like a fan in anyway, or from a coach do you just analyze X and O? Is that daunting in a way to see the level where they are and how close do you think Florida is to getting there?

BILLY NAPIER: Well, I mean, I think both of those rosters are very talented. That’s evident. I think we played against Georgia a handful of times. We’re familiar with them. All these players we have a pulse for because we evaluated them and tried to recruit some of them.

So, yeah, I’ve spent five years there. Going and playing there on the road is a challenge, much like a lot of the places in our league, much like coming to our place and playing.

An open date is good for a lot of reasons, right? You get a pulse for college football, and you also quickly realize everybody has their own set of issues.

So I think the key is we got continue to improve who are we going to be as we go through the rest of this thing. Can we get better? Can we fix some of our solutions? Can some of our players play their best football? Can some young players coma aline? I think we have a couple players improving that can help our team down the stretch.

Q. 30th game here at Florida. Where do you feel like the program has made the most strides? And I know the results aren’t what you wanted, but what is it going to take it flip that script a little?

BILLY NAPIER: Ultimately, I think we have built a lot of good systems in terms of in-house how we operate, overall the workflow, everything is up and running. Maybe that wasn’t the case when we first got here.

I think we’ve done a good job adjusting to the landscape. For every six months we were here in the beginning it just continued to change. But, yeah, I think we’ve got more depth. I think the makeup of our team, just don’t have a ton of headaches day in and day out relative to their decision making, character.

I feel really good about that part. But ultimately I think we’ve had this conversations many times. We got to go produce on the grass. Twice this year we didn’t play up to our potential in my opinion.

We need to continue to focus on what is going to help us perform better. I think ultimately, any time we spend on anything else is a waste of time. We got to get consumed with things that will get the result we want and try to be process oriented. That’s what we’re trying to do.

Q. Is player experience, something you didn’t really mention, but the improvements there with housing, parking, meals, recruiting visits…

BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, that’s part of it. I think much like anything you take over, you come in, you do your homework, try to improve your product. We’re not only trying to improve the player experience. We’re trying to improve the product we recruit to.

All these things add up. I do think the administration has done a great job in a lot of areas to give us better facilities, resources. I think we have infrastructure. I do think our team is deeper and we’re still — I think we’re very much a work in progress.

And I don’t think that’s changing. I think it’s always going to be that way.

Q. For decades it was the big three: Florida, Florida State, Miami. Is it the big four now with UCF? Are they on a level playing field with you guys?

BILLY NAPIER: I think they’re in a transition. Ultimately, you can’t help but respect what they’ve done. The coaching staff they have, they’ve done a good job recruiting. I think the portal helped benefit in a lot of ways.

But just overall the level of commitment, the BigXII is a good league. I think ultimately, they’re in position to continue advancing. Ultimately the winner of that league is going to get a place at the table, right?

They’re in position to do that.

Q. You talk about recruiting. Orlando has been a pretty fertile area. The importance of that game from that standpoint too, and just what Orlando means to the Gators in terms of recruiting.

BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, I think every part of this state a critical, in particular a place — I mean, they are producing a consistent number of players. Some of our better players are from that area.

We got Gators down there. They’re everywhere. Ultimately, all these games are important. When you play an in-state team, there is a ton of eyes on you and I think that caliber of football that you put on display is very important.

This is a big one, no doubt about that.

Q. On defense, what can you guys do within the scheme to stack the box more, shore up the run defense, especially against a team like this?

BILLY NAPIER: Well, I think the key is that we align correctly, everybody knows their assignment, and we go execute with the right fundamentals and techniques. Ultimately that’s what we learned.

Obviously done a ton of homework having a little bit of extra time in the open date. Look, sometimes you’re playing coverage and you got a light box. Sometimes you’re playing post safety and you are short in coverage.

There is weaknesses with every defensive call. I think the key, that’s part of the chess match, right, guessing right and then understanding where your weaknesses are and then the players got to play to their leverage, help, and I think those are the areas we got to get better.

Q. Two quarterbacks obviously highly effective at Mississippi State. Did you learn more about that as you progress, I don’t know if it’s new to you, but it’s unique.

BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, ultimately I think, yeah, Graham had a phenomenal week and that translated to playing really good in the game. DJ did a lot of good things too. Lead two scoring drives and two of them from backed up.

So, yeah, it’s healthy. That’s what I would tell you. I think they got a great relationship. It’s fun to go to that room every day. Fun to be on the grass with them every day to see them work together, to prepare together.

You know, literally, they were just in — they’re going to be in this room here in short amount of time, right, doing work on this screen.

The big thing is the character of both guys. Their humility, selflessness, the confidence they have, and the way they affected their teammates in a positive way. That’s the big thing. This can easily be a distraction or issue, but it’s not because of the makeup of both players.

And like DJ will continue to get better. The more reps he accumulates in the game the better, and all of a sudden you’re preparing a little bit different way.

I think it’s healthy.

Q. How much is that going to continue to be the gauge and how does that make them both better, too?

BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, sure. Well, there is a competitive element to it because I’m watching them closely every week. You know, in terms of how they practice, how they perform in practice.

So and then how we decide to play the players that week. I think each matchup is a little bit different. Ultimately, each week of prep is different.

You know, so I think both players got better last week. I think they both took reps with both groups. So we’re going to stick to our plan there. I think we’ll do what we think those players are capable of doing when we call the game. That’s an important part.

Q. … I think it was ninth drive for DJ, is that knowing Graham doesn’t have to look over his shoulder if he had a because first drive, that they know what their plan is for the game? Is it frustrating when DJ goes in second play, fumbles, and he lost one of his drives?

BILLY NAPIER: We adjust. We didn’t count the possession right before the half where we handed off an outside zone. You know, I think we start the half with Graham.

So we’re going to adjust based off what we think is right. But I think week to week we’ll set the rotation. I think ultimately for me, what I don’t want is a guy to be playing cautious. I want him to do what he’s supposed to do, have confidence in the play, be aggressive, and then they’re working together and not looking over their shoulder worrying about if I screw up.

I just don’t think that’s good for either player. Now, if they were very similar in experience and age, you know, then — and it was a true competition, then I think we probably would treat it that way. But we would make that decision in camp.

I think here we got a very unique dynamic. Got a guy who is one the best quarterbacks in the country. Then you got it young player who undoubtedly brings a level to the team that I think can help the team be better.

Q. You mentioned RJ Harvey, somebody you had a running back like him. Who was that?

BILLY NAPIER: He’s playing at another school right now.

GRAHAM MERTZ

Q. Pretty good season as far as accuracy is concerned. What’s got into that, particularly coming off the Miami game where you started out 9-20. Seemed like last two games you’ve really been on point.

GRAHAM MERTZ: The biggest thing is what I’ve said all offseason, just doing your job every play. Like, after every snap, doing my little pre-play process, down and distance, get a feel for what’s going to come in, what’s going to get called. When that play does get called, just reminding myself, like, what’s my job, what do I have to do, and just doing it.

Just trying to stay in the moment. Just execute each play that Coach calls and make it work. That’s what goes into it.

Q. (Indiscernible) the win over Mississippi State was the first time you won a Division I game in a while. Was there an emotional lift that you felt with the team getting that win?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah, I think you ask anybody on our team, we know we left a lot out there. I think it felt great to win. I know that guys in the locker room were fired up, ready to get into the bye week. I think it actually fueled our bye week, too.

We had three really competitive, really good days of practice. We got better as a team coming off of that.

It felt good to win. Always feels good to win. But I think in the long run it helped us going into the bye really maximize the bye.

Q. Does playing an in-state team elevate anything?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Any in-state team?

Q. Just playing an in-state team.

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah.

Q. You want to have a leg up on —

GRAHAM MERTZ: For me, it’s like — I’m not from Florida, but the guys either from Orlando, from Tampa, from Miami, it means a lot to them. I think that I’ve gained an appreciation for playing teams in Florida just because what it means to the people, what it means to the fans, what it means to our team.

So definitely means a lot. But for us it’s just the next game. So gotta build on what we did, correct what we did not do well and build on what we did good. So it will be fun.

Q. Billy said last week was, they didn’t coddle you guys with those three practices. Can you take us to what the intensity was like and what the practices were like?

GRAHAM MERTZ: They were fun. They were fun. I think that one thing that — for me coming, playing six years of college football, you’ve had a lot of bye weeks. You can get into the bye and you can kind of, it can go two ways you can get better or maintain or get worse. There’s three different ways you can go.

I think Coach did a great job. We split the team up into two. It was kind of like the spring game. So we had two teams and every period was a competition. And at the end it was just for gassers.

You run, if you lose. But we ramped up the competition, guys were flying around, making plays. That’s what we needed. We needed to start fast each and every one of those practices because we need to do a better job starting fast in the games.

So I think the way we set it up was fantastic. The guys attacked it. We got better through the bye.

Q. How has the two-quarterback system expanded this offense and kind of elevate it? It’s unique and can keep teams kind of guessing a little.

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah, I think you think of just the way we did it last week, I think it was really well done. I think that being able to have different dynamics, because obviously DJ, he’s a big dude. And that running at you fast is hard to tackle.

For him being able to use that game plan for him specifically definitely adds a lot of layers for the defense they need to prep for. I think in total they did a great job keeping him honest, not knowing what was coming, making us multiple on offense.

Q. Are you enjoying it?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah, I’m having fun, man. I think for me it’s just something different. Something I’ve never done. It’s forced me to really be in the moment.

You think about, like, the A&M game. For me it was every other — you really need to maximize every play you get because it’s like you don’t know when you get to go back out there. Especially in that game where you had, what, 12 plays in the first half.

So stuff like that where just being ready when your number’s called and maximizing those plays, really forces you to stay present. It’s been good.

Q. Hasn’t Billy made it sure to make it a little bit more cut and dried for Mississippi State and he’s going to do it going forward sounds like?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yes, it was a learning curve for us in realizing what we needed to do. I think the way we did it at Mississippi State was great. It kind of allowed me to get into a rhythm, feel out the game, get us rolling. I thought DJ did a great job when his number was called.

Q. The bye week —

GRAHAM MERTZ: You said Saturday?

Q. Saturday on the bye week, was this, like, I’ve got to get away from football all day long? Or was this I just gotta get absorbed in it because it was —

GRAHAM MERTZ: Here’s the question, I’ll flip it on you. What do you think I did Saturday during the bye week? I did not touch a golf club.

Q. Probably watched but —

GRAHAM MERTZ: I was in my living room starting at noon, the split four screens of each game, the noon games, 3:30 games and the night games. I was in there with Chim, Joey, we watched ball all day. It was fun.

Obviously when you watch a game on TV as a quarterback, it’s frustrating because it’s like you can’t see the defense. You can see what the front’s doing, but following the ball, it’s a little frustrating.

But it’s fun. Just being able to kind of give your brain a break just watch football, enjoy football. It was good, relaxing.

Q. One question on the two-quarterback thing. What do you gain when you’re on the sidelines watching DJ? How does that help you, I guess?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah, honestly, I think the biggest thing we gain is just our communication. And if something changes, being able to talk about that with each other, I think, in between — obviously on the sideline you can get a feel for what they’re running. I can see the secondary a little more clean because it slows down when you’re not in there.

When we get to the sideline, we get the iPad and we communicate, we get a real feel for what the plan is for DJ and me. Just to get to break that down and get a feel for overall what their plan was, especially early in the game. As you get throughout the game it just kind of repeats.

Q. Asked you about the iPad and we’ve seen you with Coach Harris, you guys going through it. How much does that change what you do on the sideline with the guys?

GRAHAM MERTZ: The iPad is awesome. It’s funny, I had it in high school. I don’t know why we had it in high school, but we did. It was awesome because, after that really the first and second drive, being able to sit back, look at the defense and just verify, okay, am I seeing the field right? Am I making the reads right? Do they have any curveballs on defense. Just a verification thing of what you see.

It’s a great addition. I love the addition of the coach-to-player and the iPads. I think they were much needed.

Q. You guys had another sellout at The Swamp, going to be under the lights, so forth. Just capitalizing on that particularly early and getting off to a (indiscernible) start against Mississippi State?

GRAHAM MERTZ: It’s great. Anytime you get a night game in the Swamp, it’s a beautiful thing. It’s a special place. It’ll definitely be fun.

Biggest thing, we need to start fast. That’s what I’ll be hitting the guys on all week: Look, whatever we have to do, we get out there and we’re rolling from the jump, whether it’s warmups or in the locker room.

We’ve got to start fast. We’ve got to build momentum. If we lose it, we’ve got to capture it. It’s a game of momentum and we’ve got to start with it. Definitely gotta start fast.

Q. Looking over the UCF defense, what have you seen looking at them from film? And coming off a good win like this, how do you look to keep bringing the boom on Saturday?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Keep bringing the boom, I like it. Yeah, I think the big thing with them is they’re multiple on defense — multiple fronts, multiple pressures, multiple coverages. These are always the kind of games that quarterbacks like because it forces you to be on with your reads, be on with your eyes and communication.

They’re talented. They’ve got a good front. Secondary is fast. They play fast. And they play with each other. I think the biggest thing when you look at a defense if the front and the coverage really play off of each other. They do a good job of that. It’s a fun game to prep for.

Q. What did Colorado do so well to attack them?

GRAHAM MERTZ: I think that they did a really good job of establishing the front. I think they did a good job running the ball. And then obviously just extending plays, making plays.

You go watch that tape — watched it the second time this morning — you just see guys flying around playing fast making plays. They did a good job executing.

They started off a little slow. First drive was a pick for Colorado. But I think as you watch that game, you just saw them executing. That’s what this game’s all about. If you go out there and do your job, guys make plays, you’re going to win football games. You take care of the football.

They did a good job of establishing the front, playing simple, making clean reads. And that’s how they won.

Q. How much (inaudible) elevate things on offense if he continues to do what we saw against Mississippi State?

A. He will, Aidan’s a special player. I’ve seen throughout his entire time here he makes plays like that in practice because he plays with that effort every day in practice.

Coach always talks about the way you practice is how you’re going to play. I think Aidan’s a clear image of that because he practices like that with that effort every single day, that speed.

Any way we can get him the ball, get the ball in his hands quick, just let him go be a playmaker because that’s how he plays.

It’s funny, it runs in the Mizell blood. Aidan said, did you see my brother make that play. I don’t know if you saw it, but his brother made an extremely play he made running around the field, scoring a touchdown. Aidan is a special player.

Q. What was your takeaway from the Alabama Georgia game and also the SEC in general, just watching it from afar?

GRAHAM MERTZ: I think that game was fun to watch. I think that anytime you — obviously when it starts out, what was it, 28-0, 21-0. As a player, if I was in his shoes what would I be doing? To see them go out there get seven, another seven, slowly chip away at it, it just shows what the SEC is about right now.

You’ve got a lot of teams that are even across the board. A lot of skill. It all just comes down to execution. I think that’s how you can simplify this game. If you go out and execute, you’re going to win. If you don’t, you’re going to lose.

I think you see that throughout the entire Saturday, last Saturday.

Q. Was it (inaudible) watching two teams with that talent putting on a show like that?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Is it motivating?

Q. For you as a player (inaudible) to get to that level.

GRAHAM MERTZ: I’ve never really been like an externally motivated person. For me it was just fun because I love football. Being able to sit back, watch a good game. That was fun. But for me, I’ve never — I’m always motivated by my people. I don’t ever get motivated by what other people are doing.

Q. Converting five fourth downs like Georgia did, have you ever seen anything like that?

GRAHAM MERTZ: No. No. But like I said, execution. That’s what wins football games. They went out there. Did their job. Had all 11 guys making their plays, that’s how you win.

Q. After the A&M game, they were asked if you saw any quit in this team, at times guys start mailing it in, what have you observed as far as that goes?

GRAHAM MERTZ: No quit.

Q. How do you reset as a —

GRAHAM MERTZ: How do we?

Q. How do you police that?

GRAHAM MERTZ: The nice thing about this team is I don’t have to police that. I think that it’s just a credit to the type of guys we have right now. We’re not going to quit on each other. I think that if there was a camera in our indoor for the entire bye week just watching practice, people would be, like, why do they have that juice? Why are they practicing in a bye like this, but it all comes down to we care about each other, we’re not going to let each other down. We’re never going to quit on each other because we’re all we’ve got right now. It’s all the people in this building and no one’s quitting.

Q. You’ve never seen someone (inaudible) during a bye week?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Never. I felt like it was fall camp again. But it was fun. I think that back to my bye weeks, it was always, like, okay, the young bucks go in they go scrimmage for the end of the practice. But no, we were rolling. 1s on 1s, 2s on 2s, competing, all day, for three days.

Q. (Inaudible)?

GRAHAM MERTZ: It was coach’s. It was pretty similar to the spring game. That kind of setup.

Q. Was this a whole reboot in a way?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Kind of. I think that for us it was — we’ve been rolling since before camp. So for us just to kind of get a day, day and a half to sit back and relax and kind of recenter, refocus, it was definitely good for a lot of guys.

Q. You mentioned the buy in and the execution, how much guys care. Is it frustrating to not see that translate into the results you guys want during games? Have you thought about what needs to occur to kind of get the product you guys have all been proud of in practices to show up on Saturdays?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah. I mean, we’re four games into the season. I think that there’s a lot of ball left to be played. I think that that’s what this team realizes, look, we have, what, eight more opportunities to go play. We need to be ready for them. We’ve got to start fast. We’ve got to execute. We know what we’ve done wrong. We know how to fix it. We’ve addressed it. But for us, we’re just excited for this next opportunity to go play because we know what we’ve got. We know that we haven’t put our best ball on tape yet. We’re looking forward to it.

It all comes down to execution. Just doing your job. You’ve got 11 guys on the field. We need 11 to make as many plays as they can, just doing their job.

Q. Jason (inaudible) said at the end of camp you’ve been locked in hasn’t been able to catch any picks from you. Looks like he’s been pretty locked in, what do you think about how he’s been playing?

GRAHAM MERTZ: J Marsh.

Q. Has he been able to get one from you in recent weeks?

GRAHAM MERTZ: I don’t think he’s got one. But he’s been locking it down. That’s one thing where he probably hasn’t got it because I really haven’t thrown at him in one-on-one. But, no, he’s done a fantastic job. I think he’s one guy that you look at the defense, he’s consistent. He makes plays. Guys look up to him every single day. I think the biggest thing with him is his consistency. That’s what guys respect him for. It inspires other guys to be consistent. He’s done a fantastic job. He’s a baller, man.

JASON MARSHALL JR.

Q. Is there anything about playing an in-state team? Is there something more at stake? You’re playing especially one that’s like trying to send the level of Florida, Miami and Florida State?

JASON MARSHALL: I wouldn’t say there’s a lot of things at stake. But as you said it’s an in-state team. Growing up in Florida, I know a lot of people on the team, just how I know a lot of people on the Miami team. So just going out there, executing the game plan and hopefully we come out with that win.

Q. What was kind of the focus for the defense throughout the bye week? And what progress do you feel like you guys were able to make?

JASON MARSHALL: Just focusing on the small details. That’s pretty much the main thing. Going out there and watching film, looking at the things that we did wrong, looking at the things that we can fix and ultimately just going out there, starting fast. And hopefully we start fast this week.

Q. (Inaudible) issues with the defense. How much have you seen that? And what are the things that you think contribute to those problems and how do you solve them?

JASON MARSHALL: Like I said, the small details, just going back again, watching film and fixing those because teams watch film. They also watch film as well and they’re going to exploit those. As long as we take away those in practice and then it doesn’t lead into the game.

Q. Is there a sense with UCF that they’re little brother and nobody wants to get beat by their little brother?

JASON MARSHALL: I mean, I wouldn’t look at it like that. At the end of the day, they are a good team. So me personally, I wouldn’t look at it like that.

Q. How do you look at it?

JASON MARSHALL: I mean, just going out there and it’s another game that we have to win.

Q. You guys know this is their Super Bowl. And how does that motivate you guys? To them, to beat you guys would be everything.

JASON MARSHALL: I mean, they are going to come out with a lot of juice. We just have to come out, start fast, take away whatever they’re trying to game plan on us. Going out, starting fast. That’s pretty much the biggest thing.

Q. Any motivation from the bowl game against them for you or any of the other guys? Or is that in the past?

JASON MARSHALL: That’s in the past. I wouldn’t look at that as motivation but they do have the one-up on us. Just going out there, like I said, executing the game plan, paying attention to the small details and things like that.

Q. Try quasi. Is that how you say his name?

JASON MARSHALL: Traquez (phonetic).

Q. He was talking about alignment, like there were times where you guys weren’t maybe lined up quite when the up tempo was happening. And Malzahn is known for his uptown for years ). Was that going on a little bit at Mississippi State at times and did you focus on getting that straight?

JASON MARSHALL: Like I said, that’s one of the small details that we had to fix, being able to match team’s tempos, coming in, Mississippi State, they did run some tempo a little bit. It was at times where we were just standing around looking for the signal. Like I said, that was one of the small details that we had to fix knowing that it’s going to be a few other teams that run tempo later on in the season. Just accounting for that.

Q. T.J. Jefferson, seeing him last year when he was at Arkansas, anything you can maybe take from that in terms of how he throws a football and his running ability going into this game?

JASON MARSHALL: I’ll mainly say just stopping his running ability. He is a big quarterback. He is mobile. So we stopped that and then as myself being a defender in the back end, taking away his reads and things like that. Just trying to make the game hard for him.

Q. Looking to the signal, how does that work? Who is getting that?

JASON MARSHALL: Well, mainly the entire defense looks at the signal. The linebackers communicated to the D line and then the safeties communicated to the corners. But mainly everybody looks at the signal.

Q. Is that when you guys are subbing sometimes, does that happen when you guys bring guys in and out rotating?

JASON MARSHALL: The subbing, we do look at the signal for subs, however that goes.

Q. How intense were the bye week practices, and have you had any bye week practices, anything like that before?

JASON MARSHALL: I haven’t had a bye week practice how we practiced last week. It was very intense, very competitive. 1s on 1s, 2s on 2s. If you came out there, looked like we were playing a full-on game. Everyone had a lot of juice, excited. So I feel like we got a lot of work done.

Q. Were you at all surprised that, not coddling, what were you expecting, when did you realize this isn’t business as usual?

JASON MARSHALL: I mean, just coming out to practice — no matter what the record is, no matter what anything is, you know, just coming out there and practicing, practicing hard, even though we don’t have an opponent this week, or last week, but just coming out and practicing hard.

Q. Two quarterback systems, you’ve played a lot of college games now. Forgive my ignorance, I probably covered the game. I can’t remember it. Have you faced that much? What do you think it does for you guys to have Graham and DJ producing like they are to a defense?

JASON MARSHALL: I mean, as far as me, I like it. I like both our quarterbacks, and I’m behind them through whatever. DJ, he is a young quarterback. Graham, he has a lot of experience. Graham giving DJ information in what he sees. I mean, it goes back and forth. At practice, you know, I have a hard time going against him. I mean, I’m excited for both of them for the rest of the season.

Q. What’s the challenge that creates? I guess what I was driving at, too. And have you faced it? Like I’m forgetting. You might have. Have you faced a Florida team that was using two QBs a lot?

JASON MARSHALL: I don’t think so as far as —

Q. What do you think that does to a defense?

JASON MARSHALL: It’s two different play styles. That’s pretty much the biggest thing. Graham, a gun slinger, DJ, he gets in, a gun slinger or can run the ball. At the end of the day it’s two different play styles you have to adjust to.

Q. (Inaudible) off-field experience here that the players have, how that’s changed since he came in. You’ve been around. You’ve seen the transition. How has it changed, just general stuff, marking creature comforts, player experience?

JASON MARSHALL: Mills (phonetic)? A lot of things have changed. Starting off with like the connection of the team. That’s pretty much the biggest thing. And then as far as like Mills and parking, it was here. Now it’s up here at the end of the day. So I mean I feel like it has benefited a lot of people in a lot of ways and hopefully it just continues the rush from here.

Q. What about recruiting trips, you’re hosting players now. You’re seeing what they do now versus when you visited?

JASON MARSHALL: It’s a lot different. They do a lot of different activities. And being a host, you are looking like, maybe I got some of this treatment. Then coming into this building, why wouldn’t you want to be here.

Q. Where were you parking back in the day?

JASON MARSHALL: The north line, over in front of the stadium. Not too far.

Q. Saturday, was it a day just to get away from football completely or do you just — you’re in front of the TV the whole time?

JASON MARSHALL: I kind of did some scouting. I was in Orlando, went to the UCF and Colorado game.

Q. What did you see there? Anything interesting?

JASON MARSHALL: I wouldn’t say of interest, but like I said, I was out there scouting, seeing what the team was like, tempo of the game things like that.

Q. Were you scouting or did you go to watch Colorado?

JASON MARSHALL: I was actually scouting. But I also wanted to see how Colorado as well.

Q. When you say scouting, were you in the stands? Did you have a sideline pass?

JASON MARSHALL: I was in the stands.

Q. Anything stand out to you about what Colorado was able to do on defense to slow down that offense?

JASON MARSHALL: Just their aggressiveness. They made a lot of plays on defense. A lot of turnovers. So just us watching the film and trying to implement what they did into our game plan, just to limit their offense.

Q. (Inaudible) the team get a little more dominant at the swamp, do you think, it’s been up and down for the last couple of years, how important would it be to start now against a team like UCF?

JASON MARSHALL: It’s very important. Like I said, they’re a good team. Once we come in and we start fast, getting the crowd into it, it will be very beneficial for us. At the end of the day coming out with that win, it’s going to lead up from here.

Q. How do you feel about your play during the first month of the season?

JASON MARSHALL: I feel good. At the end of the day, there’s always still something to be corrected, something to be worked on. I’m not settling here still more work to be done.

Q. Do you feel like you’re playing better this season so far. If so, why?

JASON MARSHALL: I feel like I’m playing much better. It’s just always having that confidence, going out, reading my keys, read what I need to read, and just going out there and playing football at the end of the day, being comfortable in my skin and playing football.

I’ve been playing football since I was five. Why not go out there and have fun at the end of the day.

Q. Has Will helped you?

JASON MARSHALL: Yes, yes he has.

Q. How so?

JASON MARSHALL: Like I said, just going out there, knowing what I need to know, reading what I need to read and just being myself. Not over-thinking about anything.

Q. Synergy between the pass rush and the secondary, I mean, where would you say it is now and how important is it to kind of improve?

JASON MARSHALL: It’s very important. At the end of the day, they have to get pressure and we have to cover and the ultimate goal is both of those working together to get the goal that we want to get. At the end of the day it is important and the offense needs us, just how we need the offense.

That’s the biggest thing.

Q. You spoke a lot in the offseason about how you lost your confidence a little bit last year. How are you able to regain that? Obviously how would you evaluate your play?

JASON MARSHALL: I’ll say just going out there, having fun, how it was. I just spoke on it. Just going out there, having fun, being relaxed.

Transcripts courtesy ASAP | Videos courtesy GatorVision & YouTube

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