[Zackary Weiss]

At approximately 6:30, Billy Napier and select players will be meeting with the media to discuss everything leading up to this week’s game against Tennessee. Follow along on this thread for live updates.

[Zackary Weiss]

Now on the podium: Billy Napier

[Zackary Weiss]

Napier says the game of football presents opportunities, and it’s about being prepared enough to take them.

[Zackary Weiss]

“We’ve got to eliminate the disaster plays,” Napier said. “And that’s what’s frustrating me. We give the other team a lot of things.” Says that they have to be more deliberate.

[Zackary Weiss]

“The great thing about football is it requires teamwork … synchronization.” Napier says they’re making progress, but are nowhere near wear he wants them to eventually be.

[Zackary Weiss]

On staying calm on the sidelines: “I’m a firm believer that if you don’t have ’em ready by the time you get there on game-day, then you haven’t done what you’re supposed to.” Says that right now, players are doing what they’re supposed to do the way they’re supposed to do them — hasn’t had a reason to get emotional.

[Zackary Weiss]

On addressing tackling this week, Napier said that they don’t tackle in practice. However, they spend extensive amount of time on technique and focus on it on Tuesdays.

[Cam Parker]

BREAKING: #Gators linebacker Ventrell Miller is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against Tennessee

OL Michael Tarquin is OUT

New starters: DL Desmond Watson, LB Shemar James@InsideTheGators

— Cam Parker (@camparker25) September 21, 2022

[Zackary Weiss]

“There’s a human nature element to it.” Napier says that there is naturally a little something extra that comes with playing a ranked team. “Regardless of the opponent,” he did say, however, “we try to prepare the same way.”

[Zackary Weiss]

Napier said that the team is using simulated crowd noise in practice to prepare for the Tennessee environment.

[Zackary Weiss]

Napier just announced that Ventrell Miller is still listed as questionable and will be a game time decision this weekend. Said that his injury will get incrementally better, and that at this point it’s about pain management.

[Zackary Weiss]

Now on the podium: Amari Burney

[Zackary Weiss]

Burney on Desmond Watson’s progression: “We call him ‘big Dez’ for a reason.” Says that it’s “very good” having him on the field.

[Zackary Weiss]

Burney on Tennessee: “Their tempo is one of their biggest strengths … it’s crazy fast.”

[Zackary Weiss]

On consistently playing mobile quarterbacks: “We see that all the time in practice with AR … it’s nothing we can’t handle.”

[Zackary Weiss]

On playing ranked teams in three of four games this season: “It’s a great opportunity for us … I love the challenge. Every Saturday, I just wanna go out there and compete.” Says it’s a positive to play these teams early in the season rather than late.

[Zackary Weiss]

Now on the podium: Desmond Watson

[Zackary Weiss]

Watson says he’s excited to get his first start on the road in a hostile environment.

[Zackary Weiss]

Watson on his viral tackle in the USF game: “When I tackled him, I didn’t know it looked the way it did. I thought it was another routine tackle … Every time I open my phone I see it.”

[Zackary Weiss]

Watson says his strengths as a defensive lineman are how “smart” and “quick” he is.

[Zackary Weiss]

#Gators defensive lineman Desmond Watson (@DesmondWaston21) told the media he squats 720 pounds and benches 520.
He's 19 years old…

— Zack Weiss (@ZackaryWeiss_) September 21, 2022

[Zackary Weiss]

On his "wasted scholarship" tweet, #Gators DL Desmond Watson said it had nothing to do with anyone on #USF, but rather with those who said @GatorsFB wasted a scholarship on him due to his weight.
"Keep that same energy."

— Zack Weiss (@ZackaryWeiss_) September 21, 2022

[Zackary Weiss]

Now on the podium: Brenton Cox Jr.

[Zackary Weiss]

Cox on his season thus far, says he’s just trying to do whatever it takes to help the team win.

[Zackary Weiss]

Cox on the loss of Ventrell: “A lot of people say the heart and soul of the defense, that’s kind of true.” Says Miller is the guy in the middle of the defense that talks to everyone.

[Zackary Weiss]

Cox says everything they do in practice “has to be a sprint.” Says that preparing for Tennessee’s tempo is “different.”

[Zackary Weiss]

“It’s kind of like 5 on 5 basketball.” – On playing against Tennessee’s tempo

[Zackary Weiss]

Says the Tennessee rivalry “means a lot” to him. Has family from both Tennessee and Florida.

[Zackary Weiss]

Cox said all SEC East games are “worth double around here.”

[Zackary Weiss]

Cox said that Desmond Watson is quick — much quicker than people might give him credit for. Talked about how impactful of a player he can be for them.

[Zackary Weiss]

“I don’t think nobody goes faster than them.” – Cox on Tennessee’s tempo

[Zackary Weiss]

“It shows improvement … guys making game-changing plays, that’s what we needed last year,” Cox said about the team’s knack for causing turnovers this season.

[Zackary Weiss]

Cox said he wears his back-flap for both injury and for looks. “Mostly for looks.”

[Zackary Weiss]

That’s all from today’s press conference.

[Author]

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