Bowl Press Conference

FOOTBALL

Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, defensive coordinator Todd Grantham plus defensive end Garrison Smith and quarterback Aaron Murray took part in a Capital One Bowl press conference Saturday.

The coaches and players agreed preparations have been going well, and that they have been enjoying their time in Orlando. However, they are ready to play the game against No. 23 Nebraska.

“The players have been doing a good job of preparing for the game, working when it’s time to work, and they’ve been able to enjoy the parks too,” said Grantham. “They understand they need to play well and get ready to play a tough, physical game against a talented offense. We’re looking forward to an exciting game on January 1st.”

The Nebraska rushing attack includes dual-threat quarterback Taylor Martinez who tallied 973 yards on the ground while passing for 2,667 yards and 21 touchdowns.

“We’re going to do our best against him (Martinez) because he’s a great player,” said Smith. “We’ll have to be disciplined and play as a team. Everybody will have to do their job because he is hard to contain.”

When talk turned to the Cornhusker defense, Bobo said he sees a veteran team that features eight seniors and three juniors in their starting 11.

“Nebraska’s defense plays well together, and they are like us in coming off a disappointing loss in their conference championship game,” said Bobo. “I know both teams will be ready to compete.”

Murray said he hopes to send the seniors out with a victory, and personally, he’d like to get his first bowl win too.

“We’ve got tremendous leadership on this team, a great group of senior leaders and a few juniors, and it’s been a couple of years since we’ve won a bowl game,” said Murray. “We have a chance to crack the top five with a victory so we’re making sure we stay focused. I’ve yet to win a bowl game, and I’ll do what I can to lead the offense. We’ve got a good game plan, and we’re looking to be balanced and make plays. We didn’t make enough plays as an offense in our last two bowl games.”

Currently with an 11-2 record, Georgia is aiming to become only the third team in school history to register at least 12 wins in a season. Vince Dooley’s national championship team in 1980 went 12-0 while the 2002 Dawgs under Mark Richt finished 13-1. Both of those squads won the SEC and a Sugar Bowl.

“We have a chance to win 22 games in two years, and in the history of Georgia football, that hasn’t happened very often so that would be unique plus there a chance to finish in the top five,” Grantham added. It’s important to send our seniors out the right way and for the guys coming back too. The seniors are a special group. The fun part of my job is to see how they’ve gotten mentally and physically tougher over the past few years.”