March 25, 2016
Head Coach Derek Mason
On the offense winning:
Vanderbilt won tonight. We came out here and competed. I liked what I saw from my offense. Our quarterbacks managed the game, they threw well, they hit their targets, and we were able to sustain some run game. It was good football. I liked what I saw.
On keeping it simple:
I had four calls on the play sheet. I kept it simple. I just wanted to see guys play. With that, we saw guys play. Quarterbacks, tight ends, receivers, running backs, defensive backs. You come out of this thing and all you want to do is see guys communicate and play fast.
On stand out players:
I thought offensively I liked what I saw on the run game. I thought those guys booted the ball when they needed to. The quarterbacks had some good throws. They stayed on rhythm, stayed on target. The receivers caught the ball well. It was good to see CJ get back out there. He’s healthy, he’s ready to go. Trent Sherfield is out there, he’s ready to play. Those guys are going to play opposite each other. I just liked what I saw all around. I think we’re going to be good.
On moving forward:
This is just a springboard to summer. We’ve got a lot of work to do this summer, we’ll grind it out, we’ll bring these guys back, and we’ll get them ready to go in the fall. We will start our quest to South Carolina.
On what’s next for the coaching staff:
Really we have to evaluate this film, have a chance to see where we’re are, and take the next couple of weeks and look at some Georgia Tech film. We have to get ready for what we’re going to see with the midline. It’s really just about evaluating these guys, and giving the spring evaluations. It’s time to take this show on the road and go recruiting.
On Kyle Shurmur:
He’s doing a really great job. He’s poised. I thought that tonight I saw some really great things from him in terms of his leadership. The guys follow what he says. That’s a true sign of what you’re looking for. I thought that Shawn Stankavage did a great job in terms of managing the game and doing what he does well. When it’s all said and done, we have a really nice quarterback situation. I think that Shurmur is leading this deal, but we have guys who can play for us when we line up in the fall.
On Wade Freeback:
I think Wade has done what he could do this spring. I think he came out and competed, and showed me throughout spring in 14 practices, coming up to this one, that he’s here to stay and here to play. Tonight he did a solid job. I thought they all were solid.
Linebacker Charles Wright
On sacks:
Coach Lewis just really went out there and helped us train. Coming over bringing his techniques from San Diego State, we really implemented them and hit them hard and helped the team and defensive line, outside linebackers get in the backfield tonight.
On what the defense can do that they didn’t do last year:
The sky is the limit. There’s always room for improvement so we’re just going to try and improve every day and get as far as we can.
On how competitive the game was tonight:
Yeah it’s very competitive period. It’s always a competitive period. When we come out. Coach Mason doesn’t let us do anything lower than that he expects the best from us so that’s what we come out and do every day.
Quarterback Kyle Shurmur
On being the starting quarterback going into the offseason:
Well there’s always competition. This is not the end we’ve got a long time until the first game until the season. I’m competing with the other guys but most importantly myself and we’re going to be competing this whole, you know, this long haul before the season.
On what he liked and what he wanted to do better:
I hit a few throws but a few of them I wish I had back, a few check downs. Just the shorter throws I wish I had a little bit more accuracy on them just because the details matter. Every detail matters when you play here so just the little things would help a lot.
On developing the last couple of months:
I feel like I’ve improved personally. I think mainly it’s just us as a group. We’ve all together become more like a family this past offseason ever since the season ended. I think that’s helping everybody, everybody is clicking. Every individual is clicking.
C.J. Duncan Junior Wide Receiver
On playing for the first time in almost two years:
“It’s been a long time coming since last year, but it’s a blessing to be back on the field. I try to take each day and each rep like it’s my last because at one point it was for a period of time. So, I definitely think about that each and every day. Work hard every day to be the best receiver that I can.”
Biggest improvement for Shurmer and all the QBs this spring:
All the quarterbacks have really matured mentally. They’ve really stepped it up in the leadership role and knowing the offense. It’s just making us more confident as a core. So, it’s definitely a big help to have them step up the way they have.
On what he did to prepare for his return and to improve as a player:
Just the mental grind each and every day. Two times a day, three times a day whether that be rehab with the trainers or going to the pool or working with coach Hankton. It’s just the mental grind each and every day, just to know that there is going to be a great outcome at the end. So, I’ve worked very hard to get back to this point and I’m definitely very blessed.
Oren Burks Senior Safety
On his new position that he is playing this spring:
“It’s a hybrid outside linebacker, safety position so I’m around the ball a lot more often trying to make plays for my team. I’m taking the opportunity and just going after it honestly. We have a great staff that support you. So, just stay on top of your playbook. It hasn’t changed much just the responsibilities have changed a little bit.
On if he had gained any weight in the offseason for the new position:
“Yeah definitely, I’m looking to be around 220, 225. Putting on this weight over the summer will be great for my development this season. I’ve been pretty much eating more meals, more consistent meals and I want to make sure I’m putting on good weight and that it’s lean muscle so that I’m able to move and do the things that I need to do.”
On if he was excited when the coaches brought up the change:
Yes, I was definitely excited. Like I said, it’s an opportunity to get around the ball more with me Zach (Cunningham) and Nigel (Bowden) out there making plays at the outside linebacker position. So, it’s like when I was a linebacker my freshman year so it’s like coming back to what I was doing before.
Khari Blasingame Sophomore Running Back
On the position change to running back, when was the last time you played the position:
“Yeah, I did play in high school and it’s fun. It feels natural so I’m having fun out there playing. It was a good move.”
On if tonight was different than practice in getting you more touches and confidence with the ball in your hands:
No, the coaches you know instill a lot of confidence to us in the meeting rooms, teaching us the details. So, practice is no different from the game. So, we’re going hard and we’re getting the details down. As far as knowing what to do and making the plays. So, it comes in practice and it felt the same tonight.
On who initially reached out about the position switch and what his reaction was to it:
It was coach Mason and coach Genyk but I can’t remember which one was first. My initial reaction was whatever I need to do to get on the field and help the team you know, and I played running back in high school so it wasn’t foreign to me. I wasn’t afraid of the prospect of getting the ball back in my hands. So, my initial reaction was, ‘alright let’s see where this goes’. After a few more conversations we talked about it and we made the move this spring. It feels good.
