FOOTBALL
Coach Mark Richt
On Georgia’s defense…
The first role of everybody is to still play stout against the run. We’ve got to not let the run game get away from us. If we do we are in trouble in any ballgame, so we have to play strong against that. If we do get into some situations that look like passing downs situations, we’d love to have pressure without blitzing. If you can rush four and squeeze the pocket a little bit or cause the quarterback to thrown it sooner that he wants to, it helps you coverage a lot. That’s what Cornelius Washington was doing there, especially in the last couple of games before his suspension. I hope he comes back with the same kind of energy. He was playing harder and faster than I’ve seen him his whole career. I’m very proud of that and I hope he gets back to doing that.
On Georgia’s defense preparing for three different quarterbacks…
We’re trying to study what each guy does when he’s in the game. There is not a huge difference among the three guys. They might be doing a little bit less without John Brantley. Jeff Driskel seems to be the guy who is more apt to run, although I don’t think they are building a quarterback run game with Driskel. If anybody else is back there we’ll consider that a wildcat look, and we have to look at the tendencies of what they do when somebody else besides a traditional quarterback is back there like we do most games. Most everybody has a package like that. I don’t think they are drastically different in style. They are certainly different in experience, but we do have film of every one of them. We have a rough idea of what to expect from each guy. Now you have two weeks. Who knows who you’ll see or what you’ll see?
On Alec Ogletree…
I think Alec, just in yesterday’s practice, looked fast, looked quick. He didn’t look very rusty to me. I’m sure there will be some rust on him once we get in the game, but he looked good. I think he has total confidence in the healing of his foot.
On if there is any awkwardness preparing for Florida with two players out the first half…
With Kwame Geathers and Shawn Williams being out the first half as far as nose guard goes we know we got big John Jenkins and we also play enough nickel stuff where those guys might not even be in there. I think that's the easier personnel thing to handle. With Shawn it's a little trickier. How are you going to play it the first half? Are you going to double train some guys? How are you going to fill that spot? I know how we are going to do it. I'm not going to say how we are going to do it, but that one a little bit more tricky to find the answer for on how to handle that first half.
On if it is harder knowing those players will be back in the second half instead of out for the whole game…
We are glad we are getting them both back in the second half I can tell you that. I think the challenge to the players would be that whoever plays in their place to step up and take care of business. That way when those guys get back we are still in position to win the football game. As coaches when you know a guy is out the entire game I think it simplifies the decisions that you have to make, but I wouldn't trade it for getting them back in the second half.
On how he feels about the defense playing well…
When the defense plays good it helps everybody. I know when I was a play caller when the defense played good it was the offensive coordinator's best friend. Even if you were having a rough day it wasn't as noticeable. Field position, turnovers, points off defense – all those things help your team in general. If you make mistakes offensively with a turnover or a special teams mistake and your defensive can bow their neck and turn it into three points or no points that's huge. I like the fact that our defense is really beginning to become a championship defense. I wouldn't say we are there, but we are getting there.
On if he draws experience for the Georgia-Florida series from going through the Florida State-Miami and Florida State-Florida series…
Early on when I first came to Florida State there was the Florida issue too. I don't know how many years in a row Florida beat Florida State. We had to get over that hump and then Miami was kind of a nemesis for some stretches three, four and maybe five games. So I've kind of been through it at Florida State trying to get over the hump against Florida and Miami. Usually it takes a game -- rarely to you usually just line up and whip them – usually you have some type of dramatic moment in a game where it turns the tide for you, some type of defining moment that will probably have to happen for us to win this game.
We got to play good solid offense, defense and special teams, but there will be a moment of truth or two in there where somebody has got to make a play. Most big plays are relatively ordinary plays that are done at a spectacular time so to speak or a time where it has got to be made. If you throw and catch a slant and take it to the house on the first play of the game, it's a good play. If you are down by four and there's only 15 seconds on the clock and you hit that same play all of a sudden it's a spectacular play. It's a play that defines the game that most people will point to. You have to make those kinds of plays all game long, but you definitely need to make them in the fourth quarter or overtime.
Cornerback Sanders Commings
On the preparation for this week…
We have been paying a lot of attention to details this week. We are focusing on the little things because this game is a little more physical. We don’t like them and they don’t like us. It’s a different type of environment in Jacksonville. You look up at the stands and it’s half red and half blue. We need to focus on getting the job done and making plays. If we do that we will be successful.
On the teams focus this week…
We are paying more attention to this game this year because of the way the SEC East race is shaping up. We’re tied for first in the East and we feel like we really have a chance to win the East as long as we do our part. This game is more about that than just the fact that we are playing Florida.
On playing Florida…
We need to look at this game as we do any other game on the schedule. Last year we had a chance to win but a couple of plays changed the outcome. If everyone stays within themselves and we play the way we are capable of playing, everything else will take care of itself.
Inside Linebacker Mike Gilliard
On Florida’s Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey…
Those guys (UF’s Jeff and Chris Rainey) have blazing speed. You have to respect that. We have to take proper angles to get those guys down. We need to make sure we get to the ball and wrap up and make sure those guys are definitely down on the ground.
On playing through injuries on the team…
Injuries and things like that are part of football. Hopefully the back ups will go in there and make plays when they have the opportunity. I’m always excited to see some other players step up when they have the chance.
On learning different positions…
I never know what’s going to happen in the game and where the coaches will need me. I just go out everyday and practice at different positions to make sure that I am ready if they need me to play. My main objective is making plays that will help the team win.
On being a Bulldog…
At first it was hard to adjust coming to college and playing with guys that are really talented. It was a mental thing that I had to get through. As soon as I learned the defense, everything slowed down and I was able to make plays. Every freshman goes through a phase where they question whether this is the place for them. I’m happy to be at Georgia and happy to be a part of this team.
On the role of inside linebacker against Florida…
Rainey and Demps are speedsters. When they see a hole they can get through it. It’s up the our linebackers to get to the ball carrier and take good angles and make sure those guys are down.
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