Florida Coach and Player Quotes from DeBartolo Team Luncheon
December 29, 2010
Head Coach Urban Meyer
“Twenty five years ago I was 21 years old trying to figure out what I was going to do after I graduated from college. I wanted to play football as long as I could and obviously that ended, so I wanted to be involved in something I loved dearly and that was college football. So I sent a letter off to a person I had great respect for. He was the head football coach at Penn State named Joe Paterno. So I sent him a letter. I asked him if he would be interested in at least talking to me about a position on his staff as a graduate assistant. And Coach Paterno was gracious enough to send me back a letter saying that after I get a little more experience maybe come back and we’ll take a look at you as a potential graduate assistant at our school. I still have that letter. I’m going to send it off on January 2nd and see if I have enough experience now to be a graduate assistant at Penn State. We’ll see what happens.”
On how injuries will impact his team in the Outback Bowl:
“We’ve had significant injuries; I know Penn State has been dealing with injuries as well. We’ve had a couple, but Jeff Demps, early in the year we lost him for about 10 games. He never has been 100 percent and he’s obviously one of our best playmakers. Obviously for the bowl game we’ve got four guys out, three on defense and Janoris Jenkins is one of the best corners in the country. Those are the major injuries we have to deal with.”
Center Mike Pouncey
On staying focused for Saturday’s Outback Bowl despite injuries and distractions:
“We’re just going to roll with the best twenty-two players that are going to help us win the game. We don’t let all the outside distractions get involved with what is going to happen in the game. So we’re going to roll with the best twenty-two players and whoever wants to win the game is going to be prepared to play.”
On what the coaching staff has told the team regarding distractions:
“The only thing they said is that we’re here on a business trip and that we’re here to win the game.”
Safety Ahmad Black
On the Penn State offense:
“They’re a great team. They are hard-working players that go hard every play. They don’t take plays off. They’ve got a great coaching staff. Hopefully we can try to defend them.”
Linebacker Jelani Jenkins
On head coach Urban Meyer’s pending retirement:
“I understand coaching nowadays and how crazy it can get. I’m just looking at things positive. I know that things happen for a reason. I know about his heart condition, and some things just happen like that.”
On the change in head coach:
“I think everybody’s excited to see what’s going to happen next. For the most part, I see people looking at things positively and just excited about what’s to come. Guys will see how the program is going to be changed around, and it’s exciting for change.”
Linebacker Brandon Hicks
On quarterback John Brantley:
“He is a competitor, he is a big competitor, no matter what. If we’re at practice and I chase him down or I sack him he wants to go again. Honestly, I don’t expect him to go anywhere because of his attitude and the kind of person he is. I don’t really know what the secrecy is. Personally, knowing Brantley, I believe he is going to stay and I hope he does. He’s not the type of person to walk away from a situation.”
On the Outback Bowl being his last collegiate game:
“For the seniors it’s our last game. It’s going to be emotional. This is our last game in college football, period. A lot of guys feel like it went by fast, we all feel that way; I feel that way myself.”
On Saturday’s Outback Bowl match-up:
“We really respect Penn State. We’ve seen them play, we know what they can do and I’m sure they know what we can do. It all depends on who comes to play Saturday and who’s ready to go at it.”
Linebacker A. J. Jones
On the keys for Florida’s defense:
“The game plan is to come out and stop the run. In passing situations, run to the ball and try to get after the quarterbacks.”
On the Outback Bowl experience:
“It’s a good trip. We’re just taking it easy, preparing for the bowl game and trying to have fun at the same time.”
