Urban Meyer: “Excellent win, I’m very proud of our guys. I’m going to start off by saying that I really love our coaching staff. The competitive team that showed up to Knoxville was a result of Coach McCarney and Coach Addazio, the way they went after these players. “
Urban Meyer, cont’d:
We made the determination that the way we are going to win this game is to play great defense, be a tough outfit and take care of the ball. Our Tuesday practice was as physical a practice as I’ve been around. Those kids came out as a result of our coaches and our players believing in our coaches. It was 106 degree heat index (on Tuesday), we went over a 35 play, inside drill.
Tennessee was held to 258 yards. We feel that they have as good of personnel on their offensive line as anybody. We never take away from our opponent. Never. Their Running Backs are tremendous players. To tackle like we did, I’m very proud of that. Thirty-six percent we held them on third downs; that’s three weeks in a row. We forced three turnovers. Three red-zone possessions they were down in there and only scored once. That is an element of toughness.
On Kicking game – I don’t think we have had this happen before, but we were 10 of 10. We hit every goal. That’s against a big time opponent in a big time atmosphere. On the road in front of 107,000 people, to accomplish 10 of 10 goals, you are going to win that game. Third downs- We were 61.5 percent, Tennessee was 36 percent. The field position battle was a tremendous advantage for the Gators.
Champions on defense: Lawrence Marsh- the relationship between him and the position coach is just phenomenal. Coach McCarney is a high-energy guy, Marsh is not. Marsh quickly became a high-energy guy.
Justin Trattou- Really playing well, 88 percent grade out.
Joe Haden- Playing the best football of his career.
Ryan Stamper- Very valuable member of this team.
Ahmad Black- Graded out 92 percent.
Major Wright and A.J. Jones.
Player of the game was: Brandon Spikes.
Offensively, Tim (Tebow) graded out a champion. Louis Murphy, Percy Harvin. Statistically I know we aren’t there. I know there are a lot of questions that why there aren’t a lot of catches, but those guys are really playing well. Carl Moore graded out 90 percent. Deonte Thompson 80 percent. Moody, didn’t play a ton of plays, but was very productive when he was in there. Chris Rainey, Tate Casey, Aaron Hernandez.
The offensive player of the game was: the Offensive Line. That was:
Trautwein, Pouncey, Pouncey, Watkins and Jim Tartt. They controlled the line of scrimmage.
On the defense:
“It’s a surprise. The chemistry on defense now is where you want it. It’s still early though. We have faced three young quarterbacks, but we have faced some tremendous running backs. I saw what the Miami running back did against Texas A&M. We’ve played a good run defense so far. I don’t know if we have been challenged by the pass yet thus far. That’s what I am anxious to see. Hawaii and Miami’s QB’s are going to be really good players but they are still young. But, I am very proud of the way that they are stuffing the run right now.”
On Aaron Hernandez
“Great job. He is almost a grown man. Last year, he was not. He has really grown up and matured. He’s a product of Mickey Marotti, John Hevesy, the University of Florida and our OSL (Office of Student Life). He’s here at the right place at the right time. He came here as a young child and he has really grown up and he is playing like it. He walks like it, he talks like it, he goes to class like it. I’m really proud of him. He is going to have a great career in football.”
On Jonathan Phillips
“ I had a lot of confidence in him. I put him into the Aaron Hernandez category. He is the product of a great program, a great university, a great coaching staff, a great OSL, a great strength program. I had confidence he was going to make it, because he does in practice.”
On Justin Trattou and Carlos Dunlap
“They are both vastly improved. Justin has always been a high-energy type of guy. He’s up 260 now, last year he played at 250. He is a growing man and he is playing real hard. Last year, Derrick Harvey played 70 plays a game and you just get worn out. We’ve got a nice rotation going; those guys are playing about 30 something plays.”
Tim Tebow On the offense:
“I don’t think our offense scheme is exactly how it was in 2006, but we are focused on controlling the ball, controlling the clock, our turnovers, good defensive position; all things we’ve done pretty well so far.
On field position
“When our opponents punt the ball and put us deep into our own territory, we’ve been focusing a lot on getting at least two first downs, to give our defense better position. That is accomplished by controlling the ball and establishing a rhythm.”
On Ole Miss
“Our team is pretty grounded and focused. We won’t be too worried about not taking Ole Miss seriously. They are very talented and have a lot athletic ability. They lost a few games they should have won, but still are a very good team. Their coaches are doing a really good job of corralling that. They will get some big wins this year.”
On what percentage of the playbook has been used
“The playbook is all there, thankfully we haven’t had to use. We’ve tried to run some different things, which have worked for us. We haven’t felt the need to open up with the leads we’ve had early on in games.”
On how the new clock rules have changed the game
“The new clock rules have taken at least two or three drives away from us. It’s really frustrating because we feel that the longer we play, the better we get, and the better opportunity we have to beat people. We’re only getting around 50 plays in a game, opposed to last year when it was close to 70 plays. That’s just the game now.”
Chas Henry
On becoming a more confident kicker
“I’m feeling a lot more confident this year, than I did a year ago. It’s hard not to when you look at the play of the guys up front. Coach Meyer puts a lot of focus on special teams and gives our guys a lot of credit here. The positive attitude only increases our confidence and the things we can do for the team.”
On his teammates
“All the credit goes to my blockers and gunners, because I have that extra time to focus on getting off a good punt. The gunners can get down the field so fast, so it puts a lot of pressure on the punt returners and contributes to downing the ball a lot.”
Emmanuel Moody
On the offensive line “The offensive line was just pancaking people. They made the lanes available for me to run through. From there I just tried to run hard. It felt great.”
On Coach Meyer stressing the importance of handling the ball
“We play in the SEC, where a turnover can cost you the whole game. We’re playing to win and protecting the ball is a big part of our game plan.
On coming to UF
“I had a good feeling in my heart. Florida was on a high, coming off a championship, so I wanted to check them out. The people of Gator Nation had a lot to do with it.