SCOTTIE RODGERS: Coach Mullen, if you’ll start with your opening statement, then we’ll go to you, Coach Riley. Coach Mullen.
COACH MULLEN: You know, I think it’s a great honor to be playing in the Cotton Bowl Classic. It’s a historic bowl. Be my first opportunity to go, if I’m not mistaken. Might even be Florida’s, one of their first opportunities, if not the first opportunity for Florida, to go play in this game.
So, we’re excited. Obviously, any time you have a top ten match-up of two teams, it’s going to be a lot of fun. I know people — that’s why guys go to Florida and Oklahoma to play in big-time games.
And I — this has been such a trying, crazy year for everybody, but it’s awesome for these young men that both schools, that they’ve been able to persevere to get to this point And finish out the season playing in this type of a game.
SCOTTIE RODGERS: Coach Riley.
COACH RILEY: This is absolutely an honor to be in the Cotton Bowl. I grew up in the state of Texas, so I know what the history of this bowl is. And it’s as good as any bowl game in the country: First-class service, great people behind the scenes that do so much to make this game possible. So, certainly thrilled to be here and have a chance to play a tremendous Florida team.
Want to congratulate them, Coach [Dan] Mullen and his staff and his players on a great season. Like he said, it’s certainly been very trying for all of us to have a chance to finish out a season, for us to both play basically a full schedule or pretty darned close to it.
To be able to have a chance to play in a bowl game is a great thing in any year. But certainly this year may be even a little bit more special than most. I know our team is excited about one more opportunity to go compete. Really excited about the way we finished the season and certainly looking forward to this game, as well.
Q. Coach Riley, just was wondering just your thoughts now after having finished out the Big 12 championship game and just how refreshing it’s going to be to ride that into the bowl game.
COACH RILEY: Yeah, we’re excited about it. It was a great game yesterday, a lot of fun, a chance to win a championship. You don’t always get those every year. And so for our team to be able to close it out, especially coming back from all we’ve had to persevere through the entire season was a great way to finish off the Big 12 season. And certainly proud to be able to hold that trophy once again.
And then have the opportunity, again, to play a great Florida team in what is one of the best bowl games without a doubt that exists. It’s a great way to end the season, and we’re certainly excited for the challenge.
Q. Lincoln, we’re starting to see some players opt out of bowls. Do you anticipate any players before the Cotton Bowl opting out? And, also, can we get your thoughts on Tanner Mordecai who announced he’s entering the transfer portal?
COACH RILEY: We’ll have to see, Eric. This is the off-day, just got back, so I haven’t had a chance to see our players yet. We’ll see how that plays out. Too early for us to say.
Tanner has been a really good member of this football team. I think he’s looking for the opportunity to go in and be a starter somewhere. I think he’s done really well. I think he’s ready to be a starter. He had some good competition while he was here. He had some unfortunate events that made it tougher for him to compete, like getting injured during our competition this year.
But he’s a great young man, great family, tremendous quarterback, and he’ll make somebody very happy.
Q. Dan, Nick Saban actually talked last week about losing in the SEC championship game is one of the toughest losses to bounce back from and get a team motivated for a bowl game. How do you kind of keep this team motivated after such a close loss to get ready and play?
COACH MULLEN: I think the competitive edge of the guys is what has to motivate your competitive drive. We’ve giving our guys a little bit of time off. We’ve been going eight consecutive weeks of SEC games. I think our guys, there’s a — there’s not just physical toll that that’s played on their bodies but the emotional toll of this season, as well. So, we’re going to give our guys some time off, let them get a little bit mentally and physically refreshed and try to recoup. And, hopefully, our guys, the competitive nature kicks back in to get ready to go play on December 30.
SCOTTIE RODGERS: Coach Mullen, I actually have a question that was submitted. The question was: How will you look to defensively bottle up Oklahoma’s potent offense?COACH MULLEN: I’ll be honest with you, I haven’t had a chance to study them or watch them play much this year. But I know they — with watching Lincoln [Riley] in the past, they have explosive players. They spread you out, and they have great playmakers all over the field. So, I’m sure it will be a big challenge for us with the guys they have.
I got to see some of the game yesterday, but just catching parts of it while we’re waiting for our kick-off and looked like they got — the quarterback can run around, extend plays, scramble, and make things happen with his feet as well as having a really live arm. And you always know they have great skill players out in the perimeter that can make plays with the ball in their hands and have always been a very physical team up front.
So, ought to be a big challenge for our guys to go against not just great offensive players but a great offensive scheme.
Q. What are some of your recollections of the 2008 national championship game against Oklahoma? That’s one of the most, I guess, illustrious games. Obviously the first game that Florida has played Oklahoma but in this — for OU for sure.
COACH MULLEN: You know what? Just going back to the game, I know it was a crazy time for me because I had been — I was the head coach at Mississippi State and then came back to coach the game and call the game as the coordinator for Florida.
I do know this, I don’t know if I’ve been more exhausted. Maybe this year is more exhausting with everything we’ve been through this year.
But you know what? I do remember that game being a lot of — a big-time game full of talent. You have two Heisman Trophy winners playing each other at quarterback. I think guys that are still scattered around the NFL, all over the NFL with great players. And it was one of those games that I’m sure everybody came in. I think they’d averaged 60 points a game but it came into at the very end the ability to play defense and the Florida defense came up pretty big.
I remember the big goal line stand and the turnover at the goal line to stop them. And then Percy Harvin coming off an injury, putting up — I think he only could play for about three quarters but put up huge numbers for those first three quarters.
And then Tim Tebow carried the team home in the fourth quarter, did a little jump pass to win the game and to kind of put the game away at the end. So, it was pretty special.
For me it was a special moment. I got to run down the field, hold the trophy for about 30 seconds, get a picture with my wife with the trophy and get on the plane and head to Starkville, Mississippi.
Q. Lincoln, first, the advantage of playing in AT&T Stadium where you guys just played. You played several games before. And, Dan, opposite of that, obviously you’re coming to a place you’ve never played and your guys will be coming here for the first time in this building. So, just both coaches address that, please.
COACH RILEY: Yeah, it’s a — I mean, we love playing there. It’s been a great stadium. We’ve had some pretty good memories over the last several years.
Now is that going to make a difference in this game? I doubt it. It’s just going to be two good football teams going at it, like it should be. But we certainly enjoy it, and it’s one of the best venues in all of sports, in my opinion. And, again, if — I guess if you’ve got to choose, having some good memories there is a good place to start.
COACH MULLEN: I’ll share, our guys, we had a Zoom team meeting today with everybody. And that was the first question is: Hey, we’re going to the Cotton Bowl. The question was: Where’s the game? And I think everybody was pretty excited when they found out where we’re going to play.
To be able to go play in that venue, I’ve been there to watch the [Dallas] Cowboys play a couple of times, watch Dak [Prescott]. But it’s an awesome stadium. It’s a great venue and I know our guys are really excited to just get the opportunity to go play there.
Q. So, I know that Kyle Pitts is one of the guys that is opting out of the season and not playing in a bowl game. Can you talk about how that conversation between you guys went? What did he say to you? When did you know? Of course, we saw that — you kind of mentioned this, too. When he was out before the regular season, it’s a chance for other guys to step up and to really come together. can you elaborate a little bit just on what you’re going to be looking for in the rest of your guys with the bowl game?
COACH MULLEN: Kyle — it was something we discussed actually when he was injured two weeks ago. Was something we discussed about where he was at, his future and we talked about the opportunity to go play in the SEC championship game. And he worked his tail off to get healthy, to get cleared to go play in that game.
And he had said, Coach, if we have the — you know, I’m not sure what I’ll do after that, depending on where we go and what the situation is going to be, to go make my decision after the game.
So, I talked to him last night after the game. You completely respect it. I mean, he’s a guy that has the opportunity to be a top-ten pick in the NFL draft, a phenomenal athlete, a premiere tight end, I think, in the country.
I give him a lot of credit for working his tail off to try to get healthy enough to play last night’s game. Had a huge game. We talked that he’s just going to — he’s going to go prepare for that next step.
But it’s another opportunity. I mean, he missed a couple of games during the season with an injury. And Keon Zipperer and Kemore Gamble stepped up. To be honest with you, not that they wanted to see one of their teammates not in the game playing but I know those two guys were excited. They want the opportunity to go become the playmakers and to get his touches.
So, those guys will be excited. They did a great job while he was out and expect those guys to step in and fill that role.
Q. Lincoln, have you decided — I know you said this is your off day. Have you decided what you’re going to do with Shane Beamer’s coaching position for the bowl game?
COACH RILEY: I haven’t made that decision yet. We won’t have Coach Beamer with us. He’s heading out to Columbia this morning. It was great to have that last great win with him and his family. A lot of capable people here on the staff. But, no, haven’t fully made that decision yet.
Q. We had heard some coaches this morning offer differing views on what to do with their team over the next week or so. Some letting their players go home for Christmas. Others keeping them there. Have you decided what to do and just how different is this year with this schedule and the compressed nature of things and COVID going on?
COACH RILEY: Yeah, no, it’s difficult. I guess maybe the one silver lining is we only have ten days here, so we don’t have a huge block of time to deal with, which actually makes it probably a little bit easier.
No, Christmas is tough, where it falls on this game, both in proximity to the game and then obviously with COVID. We obviously just found out we’re playing this game a few hours ago. So we’re making plans, but not anything that I’d be ready to announce at this point.
COACH MULLEN: For our guys, like I said, this season has been like no other, the grind. I don’t think anybody understands. Obviously, there’s a physical grind and the toll it takes on everybody’s body to play, even to be able to continue to play the season. And then you add that mental grind on the players. So, we’re giving our guys off through Christmas right now. We’ll do everything virtually to do some scouting reports and some installation virtually just to let those guys recover both physically and mentally before the bowl game.
Q. Wanted to get your guy’s thoughts on the evolution of both conferences. I don’t know maybe more toward the mean where the Big 12 has been playing better defense in recent years and certainly this year, while the SEC is putting up a lot more productive numbers offensively. Just wanted get your guys’ thoughts on how both conferences are evolving.
COACH MULLEN: Looks like Lincoln [Riley] is still putting up an awful lot of points there, so I don’t know. I did just do a quick glance of all the points they’ve put up this year. I don’t think they’re having a lot of offensive woes there, and it’s become a three hours’ cloud of dust field (laughter).
COACH RILEY: From our point of view, no, we talked a little bit about it last night. I think the defensive quality in this league has gotten better. I think the defensive linemen, especially in this league across the — across the board this year, I thought much improved. There’s been some schematic changes, different coaches which have certainly helped there as well.
I think in any league, whether you’re talking about more offense in the SEC or more defense in the Big 12, whatever, I think it’s just the constant evolution and competition. You do what you’ve got to do to win and have a chance to win championships. So I think you’re always constantly evolving, looking for those things. And that’s some of the fun of it, to see how things do continue to evolve.
Q. Dan, I know you already touched on Spencer Rattler. But, Lincoln, I was curious if you could just speak to the season Kyle Trask has had, if you’ve kept up with it. Obviously, if you haven’t might not be much of an answer. I’m just curious what you’ve made of him as a quarterback and how he’s been able to lead the offense.
COACH RILEY: I’m certainly not an expert on it. I’ve been able to catch them a few on TV. He’s been impressive, really impressive guy. The guy that can stand back there and beat you in the pocket and can run Q power on third and one and run it right down your throat, too. So any guy who can do both is just tough to defend.
He’s done a really good job of using the weapons. They have got a tremendous scheme that really features what he does well. But you can see, having watched him a little bit more last year, you can see obviously the improvement he’s made. And that’s a testament to him and certainly the coaching staff there.
Q. Dan, just curious, do you expect other guys to opt out specifically, [Trevon] Grimes and [Kadarius] Toney, maybe even [Kyle] Trask? And then do you anticipate Todd Grantham being your defensive coordinator for the bowl game? Is that definitive?
COACH MULLEN: Oh, yeah. Todd will be our coordinator for the bowl game.
Kyle Pitts is the only one I’ve talked to. I’ve talked to other guys that are just viewing what their options are for the future, as they’re getting with their family to go make a decision.
Obviously, I don’t think we got back until 4:00 in the morning last night. And so I think everybody is just trying to catch their breath here for 24 hours.
So, I don’t have any other reports of who will or will not play the bowl game for us. But we’ll see as this goes on and as we get — as the week goes on as these guys make decisions about that I future.
Q. Obviously, you’ve talked about the mental and physical toll. Just from a mental standpoint is it almost better to not have a full month before a bowl game, like you typically would and it’s kind of a quicker turnaround?
COACH MULLEN: I don’t know. I guess we’ll find out on December 30. Like I said, I mean, there were — we did have — we had a team meeting this morning on Zoom. I met with the coaching staff about playing in the bowl game, and then I met with the leadership committee, and then the team. And I wanted to hear their concerns or thoughts, whether they wanted to play. And everybody was excited and wanted the opportunity to go play one more time.
I think a couple of guys — once we kind of laid out what the schedule would be with the different options of bowls that we would go to, they felt that, hey — I mean, even though — the ten-day window is really tight for some of the recovery for some of our guys but — for where we’re at right now. But they were — they were excited for this opportunity to go play in this bowl game.
Q. Neither program achieved its ultimate goal. Lincoln, you’re usually in the playoffs. You didn’t make it this year. Dan, you guys were in the SEC title game. You obviously wanted to win. Could have won. Almost won.
How tough is it to get back and play in what some people would see as a consolation prize? And can you get the guys to where, Hey, this is a big game. Everybody excited.
COACH MULLEN: Well, I think this. I think, I mean, you’re going to lighten up in the Cotton Bowl playing Oklahoma. I might go look out my window, and go down the street and see kids playing in the yard, and that’s what they’re dreaming of doing.
So, I mean, these guys — it doesn’t take a whole lot of motivation to want to go and play in that game. These guys are competitors. So I think that opportunity to play in this game against that team and you look across at the opponent that you have, that’s the motivation you need to go play.
COACH RILEY: I agree with what he said (laughter).
I don’t know that I would have said it any different. The Cotton Bowl, OU/Florida, that’s pretty darned good.
Q. Yeah, actually questions for both of you but separate ones. Dan, as you said, Kyle [Pitts] is the only one you really talked to about opting out so far. Can you kind of point to last year with Hendo (CJ Henderson) being the only one to opt out and he ended up being a top-ten pick, as saying, like, “It needs to be worth it. You need to know where you’re going to go.”
And then also, Lincoln, you’ve talked about Kyle Trask, but have you been able to look at any of the other offensive weapons that they have? What is it going to take to defend the entire field there?
COACH MULLEN: Well, I’ll start with this. We talked to the people. And if you look in the past, a guy that is — Kyle Pitts that is already going to be a top-ten pick is one thing. But you go back two years ago with Chauncey Gardner-Johnson who’s playing today on Sunday, who was the M.V.P. of the Peach Bowl, probably skyrocketed his draft status and he got to finish his — you get to finish your career as a Florida Gator, Peach Bowl champion, M.V.P. of the game, and help yourself out in the future.
So, I think a lot of these guys, they make educated decisions more than emotional decisions. It’s educated decisions about their future.
COACH RILEY: Yeah. On my question, I have. I’ve had a chance to see, again, just bits and pieces of their offense this year. But no, they do a tremendous job. I know [Kyle] Pitts is a really good player. But they’ve got a lot of great players there.
Obviously the receivers really jump off the page, the speed, the length that those guys have. And [Kyle] Trask and certainly the coaching staff have done a great job getting all those guys involved.
So, it will take a lot. It will take team defense and against a group that has more than one guy that can beat you. So great scheme, great coaches, great opposition. It’s going to take a really strong effort on our part.
SCOTTIE RODGERS: Coach Riley, Coach Mullen, thank you. That’s it from our coaches today. A couple of notes to the media before we let you go.