Post Game Quotes

Coach Kirby Smart

Opening statement... 

“I’m really proud of our guys. I don’t know if really anybody understands the college football environment this year. It is just so different, 2020 has been so different in terms of motivation. These kids sacrifice a lot to have this season. They don’t get to go and do things they normally do. The season has really been long and all across college football with the injuries, COVID converns and cancellations it has been a really unique year. I just want to give our kids a lot of credit for sticking through it, staying together and continuing to fight. You talk to coaches across the country and they are having trouble trying to keep kids playing football. This group has really stuck together, and I want to give them a lot of credit for that.” 

On how they were effective offensively against South Carolina... 

“Let’s be honest, a lot of it has a lot to do with the other team and what they do. So we didn’t call a lot of different runs, we didn’t go out and reinvent the wheel to run the ball. We played a team that had three or four guys out. They had some COVID issues and a couple other injuries that probably hurt their depth. They are a very beat-up football team, and they are probably just not as stout as Mississippi State is up front. With that said, our guys came out from the very beginning and they knew that South Carolina had some guys out and they didn’t play down to that level. They played physical and they knocked people off the ball.” 

On playing some other players late in the game... 

“It’s so unfortunate that you don’t get a chance to do that but that’s the world we live in. The conference schedule has made it tough and our inability to get a big lead has made it tough. I was proud of those guys; I certainly wish we could play them more. That’s what kids do, they come to Georgia to play in the games. The games we’ve been in, we haven’t been able to do that. 

On J.T. Daniels overall performance... 

“I thought he did a good job. He took the things that the defense gave to him. He made some good throws, and he understands protections. He knows what coverage they are in and he did what we asked him to do. I thought the one ball on the wheel route down our sideline was the one I wish he could have back because he underthrew it a little bit, but I thought he played well. He understands what we are trying to do, and he did a good job handling the offense. 

James Cook, Junior, Running Back

On why they were able to run the ball effectively tonight... 

“My offensive line gave me a lane to run tonight. They play with great physicality. Heads up to my offensive line, they just did a great job.” 

On how many carries he gets each game... 

“Every opportunity that I get, I take advantage of it. I just want to make the most of it.” 

On if last week’s passing performance opened the running game this week... 

“We got after it in the passing game [last week] and they probably thought we were just going to pass it today. Then our offensive line came with that physicality today and our receivers blocked on the perimeter and we got the job done.”

Lewis Cine, Sophomore, Defensive Back

On his thoughts on the defensive performance... 

“We knew what they were going to try and do from watching film on them. What they do well is run and their running backs are really good. They have some really good backs. The goal was to stop them and try and make them one dimensional. Yeah, we missed some opportunities, but I feel like we did make them one dimensional towards the end.” 

On giving up points in the second quarter... 

“I feel like on the touchdown drive we didn’t play to our standard, not one bit. I think it was a 90-yard drive. We weren’t tackling well and not covering the way we were supposed to. We can’t let that happen in the future.” 

On Luke Doty and his performance... 

“We knew what he brought for their offense. He’s a fast guy and he can throw. Yeah, he is a freshman, but he can also play. We watched a lot of film on him and we found ways we could disrupt him and make him feel uncomfortable. I feel like for his second game, he did really good.”

Coach Mike Bobo

Opening Statement 

“Hats off to Georgia. They came in and dominated the game in all three phases. More physical than us at the line of scrimmage and it showed. Too many lost yardage plays offensively to get us behind the chains and not enough explosive plays offensively. Defensively the number one thing is we couldn’t stop the run. Inability to get off the field on third down. Just a long night. Hats off to them. We got one more week against Kentucky and we’ll challenge the guys with one more opportunity to go fight. We’re going to find out who wants to fight. If you want to fight they’ll be on the plane going to Lexington.” 

On the effort shown by Luke Doty and Kevin Harris tonight... 

“It was good to see Luke, I’m looking at his numbers, he completed a high percentage of passes. Obviously the two turnovers are not good but sometimes you’re going to make mistakes as a young player. But his competition and the way he competes is something that can be built around. We just finished talking in the locker room and Luke was the one that broke it down, which was good to see. Taking ownership of his play and this team, that’s what this team needs, leadership. For a freshman to step up and be vocal was good to see. Kevin Harris, it was a tough 53 yards that he gained. I know he had four catches for 30 yards. I wish we could have gave him a little more space, but that’s a tough defense to run against. I thought it wasn’t his best game statistically but it was he best game for yards after contact. Really good game by him.” 

On the 98-yard fourth quarter drive and the character the team showed executing it... 

“I’ve been proud of these guys the last couple weeks. When things haven’t gone well there’s been a continuation of fight and effort and strain. Offensively they’ve been led by Sadarius Hutcherson up there. We got it on the two and said ‘let’s go 98.’ The guys played for 60 minutes. They didn’t look at the scoreboard, obviously it wasn’t in our favor. To do that at the end of the game with some young players in there, Luke Doty and Rashad Amos busting a run, and I can’t say enough about Nick Muse and the way he played. Nick Muse is made of the right stuff, he really is. He’s what you want as a Gamecock because he cares. It’s important to him and it shows in his play.“ 

On how the seniors approached Senior Night and their final home game... 

“I think it starts with all those guys. You want to look at your legacy as ‘how many wins’ or ‘what you left he program with’ but the legacy of these seniors is showing the young guys how you don’t quit. When you’re not dealt the hand that you want you continue to fight. I’m proud of those guys, especially number 50 on the offensive line, Sadarius Hutcherson. I think it showed a lot when he ran on the field and all those lineman ran out just to take a picture with him. He’s played really well this year and it’s been about the team, it’s not been about him. That’s what these seniors will leave these guys with. That thought of we’re going to continue to fight and play out butts off no matter the circumstances.