QB Tim Tebow: “I think our team has improved over the past year. We have had time to get better mentally watching film, physically in the weight room, and our chemistry has grown.”
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“I got to know Lane Kiffin very well during the recruiting process with Southern Cal. I respect him and what he did there. I didn’t keep in contact with him when he went to the NFL, but it was great getting to know him. I wish him the best of luck at Tennessee. I’m sure he will do a great job there. I think the players look up to him and will play very hard for him.”
“I love the game of football. My No. 1 drive and passion, in football, is to be the best player I can be and I do not feel that I have accomplished that at all; not even close. I have a lot of work left to do. I’m working to improve everyday. Another motivation for me is not to let my teammates down. We are so close and we’re not out there playing for ourselves. We play for each other and that is a huge motivating factor for me. Every time we step on the field we are focusing on trying to get better and not letting each other down.”
“In 2007, LSU had a great team. I think we gave the game away. In the end, they came up with great plays and they made it happen in the fourth quarter; led by their senior leadership. They did a great job. I remember how great the fans were and how loud the stadium was.”
“I get a lot of letters from fans all over the country. They appreciate my testimony and we have a mutual respect for one another. Football gives me a tremendous platform to reach people. Sometimes it all can be overwhelming, but I’ll deal with every time if I can walk into a room, make a kid smile, and make a difference in his life. All the attention is definitely worth it.”
“I love playing the Florida-Georgia game in Jacksonville, Fla. I grew up there. Having the stadium be half red-and-black and half blue-and-orange creates a great environment. To take that away would be the wrong thing to do. Too many people love that tradition. Growing up, I always looked forward to going to the game and experiencing the history of the game. Running out onto the field is intense and like nothing else in college football.”
LB Ryan Stamper
“Coming into the season ranked No. 1, the whole team realizes we want to work every day. Our coaches do a great job keeping our heads level and focusing on our goal to win the Southeastern Conference Championship. Our off-season has been very tough for us. Our coaches are not treating us as a national championship team. Our mind-set is to work hard and get back to where we left off last year.”
“With the success we have had, two national championship teams, we know how to win and know that believing in the hype is not a way to win a national championship. We have to be focused on every team, every game and not be complacent. With the leadership returning this season, we know we can win.”
“There is no man like Tim Tebow. With everything he goes through, I do not know how he handles all the pressure and media attention. Tim is a great teammate. He really cares about everyone and makes sure everyone stays on top of everything. He is our leader and we all look up to him.”
“We are focused on winning the SEC Championship. I’d be lying if I said the national championship hasn’t crossed my mind; but we know if we win the SEC our chances to play for the national championship are much higher.”
“Even though we lost [versus LSU in 2007] it was a great game. We fought really hard. I recall a fourth-and-one when Hester ran the ball. I made the hit on him, but he still got the first down. If I would have brought a little more to that hit, the game would have been over, but they got the first down. I’m looking forward to this year’s game at LSU. They have a great fan base, they are very rowdy, and create a great atmosphere to play in.”