Watch & Read: Win was the product of a lot of hard work

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BILLY NAPIER

BILLY NAPIER: Okay. I think today was a product of a lot of hard work the past two weeks. I think we made a ton of progress in the open date. I know we talked specifically about that, but I can’t compliment the players and the staff enough in terms of their attitude towards the work we’ve been doing the last two weeks and then I thought that carried over.

I think defensively, to hold this group to 108 yards rushing and to have really got after the quarterback a little bit, two big fourth down stops and we were really good on third down, you know, so I think defensively, took some steps in the right direction. We played a good half of football on offense. Felt both quarterbacks were really sharp. We had good balance. I thought that overall played some good situational football before the half and then we sputtered a little bit. They had the ball quite a bit in the second half and I think we had three real possessions and we struggled to move it.

A few undisciplined penalties that we need to clean up I think on offense, but overall I think the kids showed up with a mentality tonight and I’m very thankful for our players and how hard they’ve worked and for them to take that momentum we felt to the park tonight and play the way that we would want them to play and the way they want to play, right?

Now, we are still a work in progress. We’ve got a lot of areas where we need to continue to improve. We need to improve the football, and we need to continue to improve our mentality and approach. We had a lot of people throughout the entire organization that contributed. I think our scout teams did a great job, offense, defense, special teams. We got a lot of players that contribute during the week and I thought they did a really good job, so good day and we’ll enjoy this thing tonight. We’ll turn the page and get ready for the next one.

Q. Staying on the defensive side, players were adamant that this would be a different defense we would see tonight. It obviously was, 273 yards, five sacks as you alluded to. Other than the extra work, was this a little bit of a buy-in on the defensive side? A different, you know, confidence level for them?

BILLY NAPIER: Well, I think you have a staff that has worked extremely hard trying to come up with solutions. Really a lot of quality control, a ton of research in terms of — because we felt like we anticipated being better, to be quite honest and we just didn’t quite put it together in a couple of the games, so I think they did a good job, but more importantly, I think on the player end, there was a ton of ownership in terms of, hey, look, we can do better. What is the solution? And I think they collaborated. I think we did a good job in all parts to get to a solution there, but I do think the open date ultimately was where the flip was switched I think Wednesday after practice during that open date is where, again, I told you that was one of the best practices I’ve ever been a part of and I think it showed up. So we need more of it and certainly with a schedule we have we’re going to have to play complementary football. And we know at some point around here if we’re going to be a contender, we have to play championship level defense. And they know that, right? They know that. That’s a part of our formula and I’m hopeful we can continue there.

Q. Billy, another one on that, what specifically was effective with the run defense? I think that was the third lowest Gus has been held to since he’s been at UCF.

BILLY NAPIER: Well, I think that we played with better gap integrity. I think we got after it up front. I thought we tackled. There was a lot more pursuit, gang-tackle, knock back. I think we’re on the same page and ultimately we played well on all three levels, I think got to do that if you’re going to play good run defense. We’re close to playing even better. There’s a handful plays where the ball kind of rolls off the table or breaks contain. We could have definitely play better.

Q. You said that the mentality the team showed up with. What was the kind of genesis of that besides just one practice on Wednesday. It’s got to go deeper than that.

BILLY NAPIER: Well, look. You guys obvious understand. These kids have been beat up pretty good here the first month of the season, you know. Ultimately I’m consumed with trying to put the players in the best position so that — I’ve been watching these kids work since the beginning, the offseason, right? And I want them to have the gratification of the work that they’ve been doing, so we’re looking to push every button.

Ultimately what we did is we said hey, let’s call it. Let’s put the ball down and let’s compete. We divided the teams up differently for three days in a row based off production and performance, shuffled the deck and scored every single rep, created a ton of situations, played some move the field.

I think, again, it goes back to that between the play process for the defense. We just said hey, screw the scripts, call it live. Real play clock, let’s work on that part. I think ultimately that’s where — and then it became very competitive, right? So, yeah, I think just the competition, the competitive experience, the practice environment. I think we leveled up a little bit in practice and I think that helped.

Q. Two weeks ago you guys were booed off the field against Texas A&M. Today very different story. A lot of fans cheering. Obviously you’ve talked about not taking it personal hi with the fans but just how does it feel seeing all those happy faces and just a much better morale in the stands as you exit the field tonight.

BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, man, I think two things motivate me a lot. Ultimately my obligation, our obligation as a staff and organization to the players, you know? I want them to experience success. I want them to have the gratification that comes with playing football at a high level. I want to teach values wile we’re doing that, and then I would say I’ve always felt strongly like they pay you to do a job, you know?

You were brought here to do a job and you want to do the job for the people that believed in you and gave you a chance and then once you arrive you meet people, you continue to meet more and more people that care about this place that had special experiences here that want the place to have success and want to be in contention. And I’ve met so many great people that have great intentions that are passionate about this place and we want to do our job. That’s what we were brought here to do, so both of those things motivate me. And I think ultimately allow me to keep perspective. And while we’re doing it, we’re going to try to do it the right way.

Q. A lot of contributions from younger players on defense, LJ McCray, Pup Howard, Bryce Thornton, his first interception. How encouraging is that to see and how have they taken advantage of their opportunities during practice and during the course of the season?

BILLY NAPIER: Sure. Those guys continue to improve. They’re very talented. There’s so much to learn, you know, there’s not only a physical component, you have to get bigger, stronger, you have to get in condition. You have to learn fundamentals and technique but there’s also tons of mental to this game and I think those guys, it’s starting to make sense. They’ve gotten some experience. They’re starting to acquire reps. Those are adding up and then all of a sudden, they get out there and they make the most of their opportunity.

So there will be a compound effect to that. Now that they’ve been out there and had some success, they’ll want to work harder in the future, so we, I don’t know, we had a ton of young players that play for sure, but, again, I think we have 20 seniors maybe, so there’s a bunch of players out there that are in their first, second, third, fourth year.

Q. Billy, obviously you had DJ come in about every third or fourth drive today. Just talk about how you thought the two QB system worked throughout the game in the first half and the second half.

BILLY NAPIER: Well, I think that we started fast. I think ultimately what a great drive. I thought Graham made a bunch of plays in that first possession. We had some balance, a lot of conversions and then I think that if I’m not mistaken, DJ, we had to punt and maybe DJ comes in and two plays, the double move went around on the backside there, the sluggo seam. Great throw, great catch, great route.

You know, I think we stuck with our plan. I do think that UCF gave us some game plan pressures. There was a lot of variables out there. There was a lot of new stuff, so I think they handled that well, but there’s some plays that we would like to have back. I think both of them would tell you that, but if you look at the statistic, both of them were very efficient. The QBR numbers are really good. I think we could have done a better job on third down. I think we ended up 50%, but there’s a handful of plays there where we can help them as a staff, but, yeah, I think both guys continue to get better and the leadership that they show and the way they work throughout the week, again, it’s a very healthy dynamic for our team.

Q. Coach, with the redshirt rule, there’s been some opt-outs this week in college football. I think they had four or five. I don’t think you had any. What do you attribute that to?

BILLY NAPIER: I think we got a hungry team and I think these players, their time is consumed with how do we get better? What do we need to do to improve? I think they — this is a group that has worked extremely hard and obviously they were very disappointed with some of the earlier performances so I think ultimately, this group is consumed with getting better, how can I do my job to make the team better, all levels of the team.

So, look, it’s a product of our current system I think ultimately. So I have a ton of respect for the players on our team. We got a good group and I would just say any time that we waste on stuff like that is a waste of time. It’s a distraction and I think we got some guys that don’t want to be a distraction. They’re here too work and improve.

Q. Also, can you speak to the fact that anything can happen the rest of the season? You had Vandy beating Alabama today, Arkansas beating Tennessee. There’s a lot of season left.

BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, no, I think it’s one thing I’ve learned in my career, I think the cream will rise to the top. I think ultimately there’s lots of things that happen early in the season. The key is can we stay focused on improvement? Can we bring the right attitude and focus and urgency and mentality to how we prepare, how we practiced? We have the self-discipline to hit the reset button when we wake up tomorrow and work as if we didn’t have success. Sure we have some momentum but you have to have the right mix of humility and enthusiasm. Sometimes when you struggle you struggle to keep the enthusiasm part. When you have success, you need more humility, so two in a row, I’m hopeful this group will stay grounded here and certainly we know going to Knoxville next week will be a great challenge.

Q. Billy, how close was Eugene to playing tonight? And then what did Aidan have going on and with those guys out, what did you think about the Tank stepped up?

BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, I think it was a big story line. Burke actually got banged up in pre-game and wasn’t available, so here we go. Tank’s running out there on the first play and he made some plays. I think he showed that he belongs so he stepped up in a major way. We do feel really good about Trey and Aidan’s progress. I think we’re just sticking to the protocol, the medical side, the sports science side there. Definitely looked great in pre-game. There was a part of me that said man, that joker looks like he’s ready to go, but a little bit of asymmetry there, but we anticipate him being available and we’ll give you a — there’s no hiding anymore. Wednesday at 8:10:00 p.m., you’ll have the information.

Q. And the play of Bryce Thornton, the pass break up in the endzone on the first grave and the game sealing pick.

BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, no, Bryce has had a good couple of weeks I think obviously earned the opportunity to start, played a lot as a true freshman last year, I think just all three levels of the defense played better. I’ll watch the tape and let you know what I think, but I think it’s evident that we took a step in the right direction on defense.

Q. After Montrell’s touchdown there heading into half you called a time-out, trying to be aggressive, get the ball back. I think the fans enjoyed you getting fired up there after the running into the kicker call. What was your view on that and what were you trying to tell the referee about your opinion?

BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, it’s a bang-bang play, right? It’s a new rule this year with the rugby punter, they’re trying to do a little better job, it’s a very common play in our game. They’re protecting the guy, so if he’s not outside the pocket, then you can’t rough the guy, right? Whereas — and I think it’s sometimes that can be very gray, right? Is the guy in or outside the pocket? So rugby punter we felt like maybe was outside the pocket.

So, you know, look, those guys got a hard job. We have a hard job. You have a hard job. Probably need to show a little bit more poise and composure there, but I was here to compete tonight, right? But I do think that it will be great to turn that in and ask for interpretation and those guys do a fantastic job, but, yeah, I think it is what it is.

Q. Coach, how much did KJ Jefferson’s performance last season against you guys, was that something that they took note of that was probably one of his best games last year, really had a lot of success, was that something that the guys really took note of and wanted to make a point in this game?

BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, familiarity with him as a player definitely was a factor. His ability as a runner and then when he is a passer, his ability to escape and extend. You started talking about stopping that offense, it starts with him. His — the read game, all the elements, whether it’s the zone read, the power read, him as a pure runner, as a Q draw game and then when he is a passer and you get an opportunity to finish on the guy, you got to wrap up and finish and do that with multiple players, so we did that well. Thought the staff had a good plan and the players executed.

Q. You mentioned the offense sputtering a little bit during the second half. Without going back and watching the film, just what did you observe that maybe led to that and was it anything that UCF corrected there at halftime?

BILLY NAPIER: No, I think when we look back at it, there’ll be some things we can clean up. Some of it is execution. Some of them we can help them as a staff. I think with got to some good stuff as we went there.

We had I think second and one in the red zone and we got a holding penalty. Ultimately I think we shot ourselves in the foot a little bit. I think ultimately when we look at it that’s what it’s going to be. And we only had it three times, right? So they really chewed up the clock and had some long possessions.

Q. How much did you feel like the bye week’s competitiveness maybe sharpened play along the lines of scrimmage. You guys had five sacks but also you didn’t allow any tonight which was significant.

BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, I think every part of our team got better because of the intensity of practice, just to be very blunt. I mean, it was competitive, right? And I think it needed to be. It’s different approach to an open date unlike any approach we’ve ever taken in the past. I’m not sure I won’t do it any different in the future and, look, we took some of those same parameters and applied it to Tuesday, Wednesday in the good-on-good sessions and that was very competitive.

So this is a developmental game, it’s a habit-building, practice environment game and I think ultimately we’ve learned a lot and I’m thankful for our staff and our players.

Q. Billy, I’m going to piggyback a off of his question a little bit, the fact of your offensive line tonight. Your quarterback’s only missed on four pass attempts and they didn’t get sacked, so this is kind of an apples to oranges question, but how do you look at this offensive line performance tonight, this year, maybe the three years here at Florida?

BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, we’ve gotten better. I think that it’s a combination of the players’ hard work and effort and I think our coaches have done a good job. We settled into a little bit of a rotation there and I think we’re also I think schematically doing some things I think maybe they do a little bit better. I think a lot of things contribute to that. But look, now, let’s be honest here, there’s bigger challenges ahead, right? We have to continue to improve all parts of our team and that part in particular.

Q. Treyaun Webb didn’t play. What’s going on?

BILLY NAPIER: Wednesday 8:10 p.m. (Laughter) But, no, obviously didn’t play, so we’ll give you the information on Wednesday. There’s others, you missed them. Okay. Thank you.

GRAHAM MERTZ

Q. Is that a bye week beard?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah, I don’t really know what we’re doing but we’re committing. First time identify ever had a beard. Trying to grow it out like that. That’s pretty good.

Q. Graham, over here. Congrats on the victory today. Talk a little about the cohesiveness between you and DJ and the offensive line, because you guys were giving enough time to find your targets and you didn’t get sacked, which was a bonus there.

GRAHAM MERTZ: There was one that was kind of — it was fully my fault but, yeah.

Q. Yeah.

GRAHAM MERTZ: They did — I mean, Jake Slaughter, guy out there right now, he does a great job of leading that group and really setting the tone. We knew what kind of game it was going to be. There would be multiple in their pressures and their fronts and they were. They were in the front the first half, so we did a great job of communicating, telling what we’re seeing and making the right adjustments so they did a great job up front.

Q. But what’s the progression been like since that first game against Miami to now?

GRAHAM MERTZ: With just the cohesiveness?

Q. Yeah, with that offensive line, yes.

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah, I think that the more you get into the season, obviously guys that maybe it might be their first year playing or it’s different when you have a new group as an offensive line and you’re kind of building that chemistry, that comradery, knowing how the right guard plays with the right tackle and how to communicate stuff like that.

They did a great job of every day just continuing to work, continuing to develop and just getting a little bit better on their communication, their communication with me and their communication with DJ, so as a group, O-line and quarterback, we got to be in tune, we got to be one and we did a good job of that tonight.

Q. Graham, you guys ate up almost eight minutes of clock on that first drive, 15 plays, 75 yards. Was that the goal of that scripted series and how do you feel like that set the tone for the first half?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah, I moon, it wasn’t necessarily the goal. I think that just the way we wanted to play the game in that opening script, really just going into the game knowing what we wanted to do. It was being multiple, mixing up tempo, really trying to make the defense feel they can’t be right. If they bring a pressure, replace it with RPO, stuff like that, so it’s fun. It’s kind of like playing point guard. That’s what coach always says. So for me, it’s any job to if they bring 7, find the open RPO.

So, yeah, the drive, it was a long one, 15 place, but we knew we had to set the tone early. We knew it was going to be a physical game and we had to run the ball. The O-line did a great job. Skill players did a fantastic job, YAC, getting open, stuff like that, so it was a great first drive. We definitely need to — that was a point of emphasis. Start fast. Start fast. Start fast. And I thought we did a job on offense tonight.

Q. And then having Eugene out, Aidan out and then Marcus out, how did you think Tank Hawkins stepped up tonight? I know you turned to him a lot.

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah, it was funny, I was in the hotel with DJ and we woke up this morning and I was like I just feel like Tank’s going to make some plays today, man. I don’t know what it is. But, no, I did know. He had a great week of prep and I think that’s one thing you see translate to the game, especially in our offense, in any ^ s of ^ offense, when you go through the week of prep, how do guys go about their business? Are they taking care of their body? Are they executing on their reps when their number is called during the week? Tank did a great job of that and he stepped into that and had a great night.

Q. Billy said that you guys showed up with a mentality, I think is how he put it, just as a team. What did you see there and just being able to seize the momentum and really put your foot on their throat and get that lead.

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah, I think honestly, I know coach — I was just in here when he talked about it but during the bye week. Gumbs talked about it a little bit, but we set the tone we’re like look, we are competing this week. This is not a recovery week. We’re oh going in there and we’re going to work every single practice that we have. We’re going to compete and it got heated, it got fun, but that’s been a theme for us going into this week, every chance you get to go compete, you need to be ready to rock and you got to go. I think we had a great week — coach incorporated some of that point stem stuff into the week this week which was fun for our good-on-good periods. The guys were just ready to compete today. When you’re in that locker room before the game looking around at the guys, you can kind of get a sense after you’ve played five years of college football of how the team’s feeling and they’re ready to go. Guys are communicating, supporting each other, hyping each other up and that’s what I want to see in the locker room before a game.

Q. Billy talks about complementary football a lot and when the defense is swarming like that, making plays, sacking the quarterback, how much does that energize the overall effort?

GRAHAM MERTZ: It was big. It was big and we need to do a better job on ^ s of ^ offense in the second half. We got to put points up. They did a fantastic job, can’t thank those guys enough, but, yeah, like you said, complementary football. If we can go out there and we can play our best in all three phases, we can be a really good team but we got to do that consistently and we have to harp on that every single day.

Defense did a fantastic job tonight. It was fun to watch because you kind of, when you’re on the sideline you watch your drive, you talk with coach and you’re talking through stuff and you get a little bit of time just to kind of look up at the jumbotron and see them do all their celebrations and that’s a fun group, so unique celebration but they’re having fun, man. So it’s good.

Q. Sorry to take a third one, but did you see Jeremy’s punt?

GRAHAM MERTZ: How could you not?

Q. Okay. I didn’t know.

GRAHAM MERTZ: Dude, I got to say something —

Q. What did you ^ think ^ thank you about that punt? That thing chucked up like a wedge, right?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah. I wish my golf game was like that. (Laughter) Wish I could spin it like that. No. Jeremy is an elite punter. It’s funny. He always comes up to me pretty much every day, it’s like our running joke where he’s like, hey, can I just get like two punts today? Three punts and I’m like no, man, you can’t. So when we need him and he goes out there, he does a fantastic job. He is extremely elite at what he does, so he’s a weapon. He’s consistently a weapon. Can’t thank him enough for it.

Q. Graham, just bouncing off what had been asked before about the second half struggles, what specifically heading in now into the real meat of the schedule, starting in Knoxville next weekend needs to be done to make sure the ^ s of ^ offense and you said, you know, the ^ s of ^ offense has got to be more steady, what needs to happen so we don’t have a 24-point first half and a zero-point second half.

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah, it’s a good question. It definitely just comes down to — I’m going to say it again but it comes down to execution, we need all 11 communicating at a high level and all 11 doing their job because if you have one guy not doing their job, then the play could possibly not work, so we need all 11 on the same page. We need to have elite communication and we need to execute when the play is called so we had the opportunities but there’s one we got a penalty and a few others we stalled out, a few third downs so we just got to do a better job executing when the time’s — what was it? Third and six the one I threw the bad — I got to throw a better ball. Little stuff like that that we can all address, we can all fix.

Q. And then obvious you mentioned first drive goes great, get the touchdown. Second drive, you know, where you’re a quarterback is a punt and then DJ comes in, three plays later, you know, you guys are in the end zone.

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah.

Q. Just talk about how him coming in in that moment really sparked the ^ s of ^ offense and how the two of you were able to complement each other so well in that moment.

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah, I think the biggest thing really going into that drive, we were on the sideline with coach O’Hara talking about the looks we were getting, the pressures we were getting and they were playing behind it and our communication with coach, like Coach, this is what I’m seeing, DJ is looking at the film, he’s like okay, I like that. We had that call and we’re like okay. There’s a high opportunity he’s going to be open and he went out there and did a great job executing it. Chim ran a great route.

MODERATOR: We got Tyreak Sapp available in the back right corner.

GRAHAM MERTZ: If you want one-liners go up there. (Laughter) He’s the king of it. Enjoy. Enjoy. (Laughter).

Q. And then I know you mentioned Tank really got going today. Just talk about his emergence, what Badger’s done once Trey’s ready to come back.

GRAHAM MERTZ: Okay, Tank. Didn’t know he had 60.

Q. Yeah. Once Trey comes back, once Aidan comes back, how the receiving core, when everyone’s fully healthy really will be able to drive.

GRAHAM MERTZ: We got a really talented, really deep receiver group and they do a great job over the week, like I said, prepping. They’re playing fast during the week and when we get those guys back, you ^ think ^ thank you about the Mississippi State game when ten different guys touched the rock. How can we spread the defense out, make them cover every inch of grass on that field. We’re definitely blessed with the receiving core we have. It’s young, fast, and a bunch of play makers. When all those guys come back, it’ll be great to have them back.

Q. Graham, I was going to ask you about Tank so I guess I’ll move onto Tennessee.

GRAHAM MERTZ: Some Tank lovers in here. I like it. (Laughter) How can you — yeah, Tank.

Q. Just how much confidence does it give you to see the defense perform like that coming I have a the bye and as you move into — everybody knows what’s on the schedule.

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah, I think one thing like — it’s funny. Being able to play against them every day, I know what they have on their side of the ball. We watched the film as a team and we addressed things we need to get better at. They’re a talented group. I’ve played against them since spring ball, a lot of reps against them. I know what they’re capable of and it was great to go see them do it on the field on game day.

Q. Did Badger pick you off?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Did Badger pick me off?

Q. Yeah, on that pass he caught on the sideline. It looked like you were throwing —

GRAHAM MERTZ: You got me, you got me. I was throwing it to Chim. I’m not going to lie. I threw it and I was like is that a pick? I just saw two hands snag it and I was like ooo and then I saw Badger cut up. But I was throwing it to Chim because we have. There are scramble rules where if you’re on the line you’re going to stem up and come back down so I thought he was going to come back because Chim was coming back friendly and I was going to plug it on him and Badger cut up at the last second and got it.

Q. Just being a receiver.

GRAHAM MERTZ: Speedy. Speedy. Shocked me a little bit. Not going to lie.

Q. So tonight I noticed you were getting a little mobile in the pocket at times, you know, running for it on that fourth downplay and then obvious you were basically like running up the sideline on said pass there. So just have you been trying to incorporate more variety to your game in the last few weeks just to, you know, keep the ^ s of ^ offense dynamic?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Love that question. Thanks for calling me mobile. (Laughter) No, I think it’s a simple thing. For me, it was an area I wanted to improve on throughout the offseason. My body, my movement, my mobility, stuff like that, so whenever say a play breaks down, just being able to utilize that as another threat, defense matches the pattern, they got nobody for you, so being able to utilize that, get the yards you need and then every once in a while being able to pull a zone read when they’re like there’s no shot this guy’s keeping it. Fourth and one will work. (Laughter) Appreciate you. Go Gators. Appreciate you, guys.

GEORGE GUMBS JR.

Q. How do you explain the defensive effort tonight?

GEORGE GUMBS JR.: I just feel like before the game started I just wanted to make an emphasis to the guys, you know, just make sure we had 11 hats to the ball every play, so like that was a big thing that we did and then in practice we did it too, so it’s a good thing.

Q. Billy’s crediting a lot of the energy that you guys generated during the bye week kind of carrying over tonight. Is that what you think it was? He also did say it was a pretty rough first month for you guys and you guys had kind of a chip on your shoulder a little bit.

GEORGE GUMBS JR.: Oh, yeah, no doubt. I really think the bye week was a time where we, those three practices, we really made some, like — we changed some things, like got our mojo, I’ll say, our mojo. We got some swag. We was running around, having some fun, we came out like okay, we all feel better. Just get ready to attack the next week.

Q. What can that do, that kind of game with all those — what can that do for your confidence defensively as you were just saying there.

GEORGE GUMBS JR.: What it did for me is like I was going into the bye week, I wanted to have a great emphasis on my pass rush and get off and stuff so I was just working on that and I made a couple plays in practice and I just seen it translate into the field on Saturday, so I feel like it was a big part for me.

Q. Was it a little bit difficult in a sense having a bye week after you guys gained some momentum in Starkville and couldn’t immediately return to competition and try to build on that and had to sustain it throughout the entire next week in a sense?

GEORGE GUMBS JR.: I say for me not really because I feel like I kind of needed that bye week because coming off the bye week, my body felt way better and just I guess I could say the same for all the other players. So we all took advantage of that bye week and got back healthy and ready to go for this week, so.

Q. In that Wednesday practice session, the competitiveness in it in the bye week, what stood out to you about that that maybe was different or had been missing throughout the past eight months?

GEORGE GUMBS JR.: What stood out to me was like nobody cared about messing up. Everybody was just ready to fly around, do their job at a high level and nobody was thinking about making a mistake or holding their pin or anything. It was day (indiscernible) just having fun.

Q. Do you think being a little afraid of making mistakes was something that was holding this defense back a little bit was just playing a little bit — not to say scared, but afraid to mess up in a sense.

GEORGE GUMBS JR.: I can’t speak for other guys and what’s going on in their heads, but probably. I’ll say I’m not sure what holds people back but I know that can be a factor, being afraid to make a mistake, like (deep inhale) they can’t play like that, though.

Q. And George, just talk about — they obviously came in, they have a really good — one of the top rushing attacks in the country and you guys, you know, shut them down, especially after that first drive pretty well. Talk about what really worked for making that happen.

GEORGE GUMBS JR.: We made a big emphasis of staying in your gap, just changing the line of scrimmage, so I feel like we just took that from the game plan and implemented that to the field and we got the result today. Everybody doing their job at a high level.

Q. A lot of the guys on this defense saw KJ last year. You didn’t, but is there some where you relied on them a little bit to understand how to deal with him and what he provides?

GEORGE GUMBS JR.: Yeah, they gave me some insights on what happened last year, how we missed some plays and just making sure I got there and grab (indiscernible). Hold on. You’re a bigger guy, so, probably bigger than me, so.

Q. George, what did you see on your sack? The play where you got the sack?

GEORGE GUMBS JR.: What did I see?

Q. Yeah.

GEORGE GUMBS JR.: Which one?

Q. Can you just break down the play?

GEORGE GUMBS JR.: Which one? The first or second one?

Q. Second one.

(Laughter)

GEORGE GUMBS JR.: Okay, so. Got off the ball — yeah, look, I almost missed him. Sorry, almost missed him, but I got off the ball. I didn’t expect to be that free so I started bending. I’m like oh, he missed him hurry up, hit the brakes come turn around. I think came my receiver days, quick breakdown, change the direction, got back there and made the play. Yeah.

Q. And then on the roughing or running into the kicker penalty, what did billy’s emotion on the sideline do for y’all?

GEORGE GUMBS JR.: I mean —

Q. Did you see it?

GEORGE GUMBS JR.: I don’t think I really seen it. We was all in our own little world, so.

Q. Did you hear about it?

GEORGE GUMBS JR.: Spsh, no, I didn’t hear about it. I didn’t know what happened. I didn’t know how we got it — what was it? Defensive inter?

Q. It was a sideline warning.

GEORGE GUMBS JR.: Sideline warning? Oh, wow.

Q. There was a flag on the field.

GEORGE GUMBS JR.: A flag on Billy? There was a flag on Coach? I did not know that, no. (Laughter) Okay.

Q. How do you feel like as a defense you guys handled that, those back-to-back penalties and got off the field still.

GEORGE GUMBS JR.: We always got a next-play mentality. We can’t just dwell on the past. We got to strap our boots back up and go back out there and make another stop.

Transcripts courtesy ASAP | Video courtesy GatorVision

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