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Florida head coach Billy Napier along with receiver Chimere Dike, and defensive back Trikweze Bridges met with the media on Saturday night to discuss the Gators’ 34-20 loss to No. 2 Georgia
BILLY NAPIER
BILLY NAPIER: Okay. I’m extremely proud of our team. I think throughout this entire year the character of this group has showed up. I think it’s a tough group and I do think that I’m proud of the way think executed in the game today, the effort in which they played, and the pride in which they took in representing Florida and competing.
You know, I do think that the objective today was to come here and put fanatical effort on the field. We wanted to ramp up the intensity. We wanted to play with better effort. We wanted to out-finish, out-compete, out-hustle, out-physical, and we knew there would be poise and composure needed.
We knew there would be momentum in the game that would challenge the resiliency of the team. Certainly that was the case. We felt like we understood the mission and we felt like we had the men to do it. This group is very unified. I think its unity is powerful, and I do think in the last couple weeks this group has start to believe that they can play with anybody and beat anybody.
Obviously there is a bunch of football here that could be done better. I was proud of a lot of the players that stepped up. We went into the game with some injuries. We had some injuries throughout the game. But I do think the players that had opportunities really stepped up and did a great job for the team.
You know, I’m proud of our team. Proud to be associated with that group in there. Obviously came up a little bit short today, but I do think the game kind of went the way we wanted it to. We made it ugly at times, but I do think we had our team in position at times to win the game.
So what questions do we have?
Q. How challenging did it become when DJ Lagway got injured?
BILLY NAPIER: Well, first of all, hats off to Aidan Warner. We’re talking about a guy who didn’t go through spring practice. Really did a lot of two-spot work in training camp. Won the backup job or won the three job at some point in training camp.
Then two weeks ago started taking real reps with the second unit. So two weeks of work with the second unit. For him to be able to go operate today, obviously made some plays, made a handful of mistakes. They’re a really good group on defense. We all understand that and know that, personnel and schematically.
Yeah, it’s apparent that there was some challenges there, but the guy made some plays. We literally tied it up. Didn’t turn it over until late. Threw it away when he needed to. Leaned on the defense. I thought Crawshaw was outstanding. We played field position throughout.
Yeah, he was one of many like him that stepped up for the team.
Q. Billy, you said on ESPN at halftime that DJ’s injury was pretty significant. Anything else you can share with us at the moment?
BILLY NAPIER: It’s soft tissue. We’ll have more for you next week.
Q. After Lagway’s injury, how confident were you because of the way you were playing on both sides of the football?
BILLY NAPIER: No, I think our plan was working well, and really continued to work well on defense and the kicking game, and even on offense to some degree at times.
I thought third down was a challenge today. But, yeah, just overall the effort, the physicality, fundamentals at the point of attack, I thought we were in position for sure.
Q. What was your view on the snap? It looked a little low to us.
BILLY NAPIER: Yeah.
Q. On that being a momentum player after the bad snap on the field goal.
BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, one of many plays where maybe a player had an opportunity to make a play and he didn’t necessarily do it, right?
I mean, never comes down to just one play. We probably played 180 plays out there today and there were multiple opportunities for us to get it done.
Special teams are a team effort, and on that play, we did not execute.
Q. Seem to be playing a little better. Week to week the team seems to be playing with confidence despite the injuries. What can you attribute to that? Just the body language looks different. The product on defense has really improved. Something you can point to or just a process?
BILLY NAPIER: I think we have really impressive kids. I think we have some unbelievable human beings on our team. We don’t have a distraction. We don’t have one guy that’s not compliant. We have no discipline issues.
We got a group that shows up on time; they work. I think the leaders on our team have done a great job holding people accountable. It’s becoming the expectation.
Ultimately, when it starts to work and you play toe to toe with some of the better teams you start to believe. For the first time since I’ve been the head coach here we showed up and we believed we could beat that team.
I think ultimately belief is probably the most powerful in the final value relative to what we teach. You got to have integrity. You got to be together. You got to have discipline. You got to have effort and toughness. If you do all a those things consistently, then the product starts to look the way it should look and there is a level of belief that comes with that.
I think we have gotten to that point.
Q. Devin Moore came out of the locker room on crutches after going down with an injury late in the first half. Is there anything else you can you tell us how he’s holding up?
BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, we’ll have an injury report on Wednesday at 8:10 pm.
Q. Jadan and Ka’Kobi (indiscernible.) I saw Montrell was dressed; he didn’t play. Because he couldn’t go or what was…
BILLY NAPIER: Montrell wasn’t able to practice the way we wanted him to. Wasn’t the right thing to do to put him out there. It was a game-time decision. He wanted to play. He was battling his tail off all week in the training room.
Just wasn’t quite ready to play.
Q. You’re up on Tennessee; Graham goes down. You’re up on Georgia; DJ goes down. Playing without Tre, Montrell, some other injured players. Do you ever feel snake-bit with these injuries?
BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, no, I don’t believe in this that. Always been injuries in this game. Every team in the country has injuries. One thing I can say is we built a roster that has some competitive depth and that’s proved to be beneficial.
You play in this league, the level of competition, the explosive players, height, length, and speed of the game, physicality of this game, you’re always going to need depth.
We been fortunate to have it. Look, goes back to how you practice. Goes back to how you install, how you teach the two-spot practices.
Look, we have an incredible group of walk-ons that create a practice environment that allows us to develop that depth, and they take great pride in their role relative to preparing the team.
It takes every person to develop a football team in terms of how you practice, and certainly some of that work we been doing this off-season, it’s the first time we been able to practice like that since I’ve been at Florida.
Q. Also your quarterback room, what’s that look like now?
BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, no, Aidan and Clay obviously have taken a ton of reps. You know, again, Aidan, I would tell you he’s had some really good practices the last couple weeks. I mean, the kids love him. He has got some self-confidence and he’s got arm talent. He cares about Florida.
So we’ll rally around him and go put out ball down in play again next week.
Q. How did the injuries affect you guys in the secondary? Three guys went down on one series. (Indiscernible.)
BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, no, I think we work though contingency plans. We had to use them today, you know. So just in general those guys competed their tail off, man.
I mean, the way Cormani has come on, and obviously Trikweze, his position versatility, you know, we will be fine there.
Q. What did you think of the defensive performance overall?
BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, no, it was exactly the way we wanted it to go. We affected the quarterback. We made it sloppy. Made it ugly. We limited the explosive plays. Made them go the distance.
Were able to get some takeaways. We obviously need to capitalize on some of those short fields, but hats off to our defensive staff. They had a great plan and the players executed that plan.
We played with the type of intangibles that you want your team to play with?
Q. (No microphone.) So many guys going down.
BILLY NAPIER: No.
Q. Despite everything that went on injury-wise for you, Aidan got you down the field; tied the game at 20-all. Can you go through the mindset of what those guys are feeling down there on that field and how you’re feeling as you’re in this game with the No. 2 team in the country?
BILLY NAPIER: No, there is a lot of work that’s contributed to what we experienced today. I’m just proud of the intangibles that the kids showed.
You know, it’s not easy relative to maybe the way we performed early in the year and the things that come with that. For a group of young people to stick together and not only continue to maintain their character, but to go to work on the areas they needed to improve, stick together, never heard a player make an excuse, complain, blame somebody else, just work and collaborate with the staff to get to the solutions and put the ball down in the practice environment and work on getting better.
Leaders leading. Young players buying in and developing. Ultimately played with several combinations of players throughout the year.
Q. Do you know yet if DJ will come back from this injury this season?
BILLY NAPIER: I think it’s soft tissue so those things are sometimes subjective. We’ll get an MRI tomorrow and have a little bit better idea. Give you a report on Wednesday.
Q. Number one, since Aidan is more of a pro-style quarterback, are you planning on doing any adjustments because the O-line at times are struggling a little bit in protection? And number two, because you’re now down to the third guy, do you have that feeling like sometimes you just want to put a little bit of a leash and not make as many risks? I know DJ liked to take off.
BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, no, I think you’re thinking the way I’m thinking. I mean, I think your analysis is good. A lot of things that went through my head today.
But I’m proud of Aidan. I have confidence in him. He’s done a great job since he start taking reps a couple weeks ago. For him to do what he did today, you know, I think there is something to be said for that.
Look, he’ll continue to get better. You know, think about it now, just a few weeks ago that guy is, you know, standing around eating ice cream.
So then all of a sudden Graham Mertz is down, I’m the two. You know, then here we go two weeks later it’s Florida-Georgia and mid second quarter I’m trotting on the field and I have a locker room of players that I have a responsibility to.
So hats off to Aidan in term of how you handled that today.
Q. Just kind of expanding a little bit more on the defense. Now six interception in the last two games. What do you think is the reason you guys have been able to force so many turnovers, especially today where those — all three interceptions really kept you guys in and had a big impact on the game.
BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, I think the rush and the coverage are working well together. I think we’ve been able to make them hold it a little bit. I think we done a good job sewing up some of our zone concepts and principles. You know, just I think we’ve gotten better at every level of the defense.
I think the front and the edges have gotten better inside backers; secondary. I think all three of those combined. Look, it goes back to leadership on that side of the ball co-elaborating with the staff. Embarrassed with how they played in the beginning of the year.
I think the open date was huge and I think since then the product continues to get a little better each week.
CHIMERE DIKE
Q. Just starting off obviously with DJ, just how devastating was that going out, a game you guys were in and still continued to be in with him being injured? What was the feeling on the field like when that happened?CHIMERE DIKE: Yeah, it’s obviously really tough. DJ is a very, very good player. We felt like we had momentum kind of early in the game.But at the same time, I’m proud of Aidan and the way he stepped up. My favorite thing about the way he played was he didn’t flinch. He could see his eyes he was out there competing. He’s going to continue to get better.Q. Can you talk a little bit more about Aidan, a guy a few week ago who wasn’t getting second-team reps and now he’s thrust in against the No. 2 team in the country? Talk about how impressed are you that, again, the game is still close midway through the fourth, tied with him under center?CHIMERE DIKE: Yeah, Aidan obviously has a really good arm. The thing I like most about him is he’s a competitor. Loves to compete. Wasn’t scared of that big moment. We tried to rally around him. Obviously got to do a better job offensively. I was proud of the way he played today.Q. Obviously Aidan doesn’t have a lot of experience even though he’s gotten on the field with a veteran receiver room with you and Elijhah and even Aidan Mizell stepping up a little bit. How can you guys help him through his transition?CHIMERE DIKE: Yeah, I think it’s everybody’s job. There are things to do that I could have done better to help him, and those things that I got to evaluate and a improve next week.I think it’s just everybody just attention to detail and supporting him and rallying around him.Q. Was there any particular advice or words of wisdom you had for Aidan? That’s a pretty scary situation to be in.CHIMERE DIKE: Uh-huh.Q. Did you have any advice for him?CHIMERE DIKE: I told him we all believe in him. Take it one play at a time, and go out there and compete. I think that’s the best thing you can do in that moment. I think he handled it extremely well, and I think he’s going to continue to get better.Q. Obviously just injuries continued to pile up today. Just a lot of misfortune, for lack of a better word. How did you attempt to find the energy to keep on going in spite of all the hardships you faced as the game went on?CHIMERE DIKE: I think injuries are something that’s out of your control. I haven’t been in a game where we had this many, but I think that shows the growth on our team. I think that we were competing at an extremely high level.There is no moral victories. We’re at the University of Florida. We’re not saying that, but I think this team is taking steps in the right direction. That’s something that we can kind of be proud of and continue to move forward with.Q. Chim, looking at a game like this, the Florida rivalry, obviously reasons you come to Florida, to play in games like this, but how does this compare to playing for the Axe in rivalry games, just the comparison?CHIMERE DIKE: It was a unique experience. I think definitely really special. Split down the middle, obviously we have amazing fans at Florida, and I’m just appreciative that I had this moment.You know, obviously we wish it was a different end result. All we can do is keep getting better and move forward.Q. Did you find yourself taking the time to take it in or was it all about business?CHIMERE DIKE: A little bit, but once you’re in the game it’s kind of just trying to execute at the highest level you can.Q. What was the mood like in the locker room afterwards and how do you move forward from here?CHIMERE DIKE: Yeah, obviously we’re disappointed. You know, I felt like we had opportunities at the end of the game we just didn’t capitalize on. But I think that we understand that we’re taking steps forward and not backwards.You know, I think that going forward we’re going to keep working and just have to learn how to finish the games out.Q. What was Billy’s message to you about what he saw from you guys today and how he wants that to show up in Texas?CHIMERE DIKE: Yeah, similar to some of the things I’ve reiterated. No moral victories. We’re at the University of Florida. Our team is competing at a really high level right now. The way that we responded to some of that adversity that we had was something that was kind of shows the character of our team.I think that’s going to be huge having that as we go forward through the season.Q. How was DJ just emotionally, mentally?CHIMERE DIKE: I mean, obviously got to talk to him for a little bit. Obviously an injury like that you’re a little upset. He’s got a great family. He’s got a lot of teammates around him supporting him. I know he’s going to be more than fine.Q. Nobody is making excuses, I understand. Have you ever been part of a team that’s had this kind of a rash of injuries one after another like this?CHIMERE DIKE: I don’t think I’ve had as many in-game injuries. We have a next-man-up mentality, and I think guys stepped up in certain situations today that haven’t before in a big game like that. It takes a lot and shows the character they have.No. To answer your question, no, I haven’t.Q. The run game today, Jadan Baugh and Ja’Kobi, how did they — do you feel they stepped up and tried to keep you guys in the game?CHIMERE DIKE: Yeah, those two guys play and practice extremely hard. Proud of way they competed today. They run downhill and they definitely kept us in the game in a lot of aspect on offense.I think that if we can clean up the passing game a little bit and block in the second level, those guys are definitely guys we can lean on.
TRIKWEZE BRIDGES
Q. How was it seeing some of I don’t you are guys get hurt and when to you realize you were going to have to go play corner?
TRIKWEZE BRIDGES: When I seen Dijon Johnson coming off the sideline I knew then that’s when I was going to have to step up. We already had talked about it of the beginning of the season and just like this week if anything would happen. So I’m emergency corner. Those times come, I show up.
Q. How tough was it to deal with all the injuries in the secondary and guys continuing to go down?
TRIKWEZE BRIDGES: Like Chim said, next-man-up and execute what the game plan is. We just have to do that. It was tough seeing like some of the guys — all the guys who went down to go down. We had a lot of guys get back up and go out there and play again.
Q. How do you feel like the defense played today?
TRIKWEZE BRIDGES: I feel like first half we did what we was supposed to do: went out there and executed. Had a lot of turnovers. The team was — Georgia was not prepared, ready for us to do that. At the end of the day, that’s our mentality every week, week in and week out. We just got to go out there and dominate.
Q. Three interceptions against a quarterback that some people said at the different point in the season might be the No. 1 pick in the draft next year. What do you think is the reason you guys were able to rattle back so much?
TRIKWEZE BRIDGES: First off, it’s a really great quarterback. He’s very smart and talent. I would just say just our culture that we have as a defense and just like get the ball back to our quarterback to score points and whatnot. So that’s the main thing. Getting the ball back, go out there and execute.
Q. And then just when DJ goes down, Aidan comes in. It’s going to get tougher for the offense. It there talks on the defense like, listen, we really got to step now. Of course you got to play a great game anyway against the No. 2 team. Was that something that was discussed among the defensive unit?
TRIKWEZE BRIDGES: Yeah, of course. We had to just turn it up a notch and just keep executing. We have to get him an opportunity to just warm up and get into his mode and in his game and just be able to play. I was on the sideline saying, let’s go on defense as well as the offense is scoring on offense. So our mindset was just like, let’s turn it up a notch and keep going.
Q. How many injuries in the secondary, how important do you think it is for yourself to step up as a leader, and especially for some of the young guys that are probably going to have to play a larger role moving forward?
TRIKWEZE BRIDGES: It’s going to take a lot of communication as a group. It’s going to take a lot of film, going a lot of things together and just like really just get those guys in the game, in the mindset to be ready to play and ready for your name to be called. No matter what situation we in, everybody have to be ready. Everybody. All hands on deck.
Q. How would you compare the confidence level of the defense compared to the beginning of the season? How much more confident do you guys feel being able to go out there and play with anyone?
TRIKWEZE BRIDGES: We always feel like that. We just had to clean the things up. Beginning of the season just kept going, kept going and believing in ourselves. Block outside noise and whatnot. All we doing is keep going. Every day, every week we trying to show up and show out. We know what we can do. We wasn’t surprised what we did today. That’s something that we want to put out for you guys to see and that’s what we going to continue to do.
Q. Obviously Cormani has seen an uptick of playing time with injuries and other things. What did you see from him today and how have you seen him grow from when you first got on campus to now? Billy has been speaking highly of him.
TRIKWEZE BRIDGES: Yeah, I was excited to see him make a lot of plays today. Few good tackles I seen. I was just excited four him. Pretty good in coverage. When I see him again I’m just going to talk to him like, bro, keep going; keep doing your thing and keep that confidence up. When you have confidence like that, can’t be stopped.
Q. I know it’s early, but how much more do you expect to play corner moving forward?
TRIKWEZE BRIDGES: That’s a good question. I mean, if they need me at corner that’s what I be playing. I’m glad the coaches are able to trust me to be able to play that position and be able to contribute and just help the team out. I always told them like I can play corner. I can play safety. Wherever you can put me is like that’s good for me. Be able to show my versatility off. I’ll be able to do that, so I’m happy to do that for the team.
Q. How did that work in practice this week? Spend time at both?
TRIKWEZE BRIDGES: Well, not really. I want to focus — me personally I wanted to focus on the things to do at safety. Just being a safety, you know what everybody is doing, so it was just me having to go out there and do the things that I know and what I have learning at corner. Been times where I go corner and do some drills with them to keep my technique clean and stuff like that. So I be doing a lot of that this week, next week coming up, and just be able to play safety and corner. Show up where they need me.
Q. Earlier Chim was talking to us and he said it was a good performance, but he said no moral victories at the University of Florida. How do you feel about the team’s performance today and do you think anything positive away from this?
TRIKWEZE BRIDGES: Yes, of course. Just like we know who we are. Doesn’t matter like who goes down, what happens. Like we still have to show up as a team. That’s the major goal. Showing up and doing the things. Because we trust in everybody on the team. We trust in Aidan, so as a defense it’s our job to get him harder looks, give him a lot of pressure and stuff like that so he can be ready for next week.
Transcripts courtesy Florida Sports Information | Video courtesy GatorVision
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