Oct. 13, 2007
Vanderbilt Head Coach Bobby Johnson:
“It was a very disappointing loss for us tonight. We felt like we played a pretty good game, but when you play teams like Georgia, you have to make plays and do what you need to do to win and we didn’t get it done. I’m proud of our effort.”
On Vanderbilt’s quarterback rotation:
“We had a package that would suit Chris Nickson well and a package that would suit Mackenzi Adams well. Georgia played well defensively. Adams played a good game and is a tough player. Nickson is a good QB, played well for us in games last year, and played well this year, but he hasn’t played a game while completely healthy since the first week. We feel like we have two good QB’s.”
On D.J. Moore:
“He tends to make things happen. He can do kickoff returns and play corner, so we wanted to try and get him a few plays offensively. He came in on a quick sweep and then a reverse off that.”
On the locker room spirit:
“We’ll get back to work tomorrow. Our guys will bounce back and we have a tough game against South Carolina next week.”
On Vanderbilt’s effort:
“I thought we played hard and played to win. For us to win in this league and beat the people we play, we need to make plays and we didn’t do that tonight. We need to realize that and start making plays. We’ll keep making progress.”
On Vanderbilt’s ground game:
“We had two fumbles tonight. We have to take care of the football. We’re fighting and scratching to beat Georgia and we can’t give the ball away. I told Cassen Jackson-Garrison that his fumble didn’t lose us the game.”
On Sean Walker’s TD catch:
“It was a fantastic throw and catch. I couldn’t see it, but everybody said from the replay that it was a TD for sure. Thank goodness for replay.”
Vanderbilt Player Quotes:
Cornerback D.J. Moore:
On playing on offense:
“It brought me back to playing in high school. I played both ways in high school. It was fun.”
On if it’s easier to recover from a close loss or a blowout loss:
“It’s still a loss. Stuff happens. Good stuff and bad stuff. Last year, we made a field goal to beat them. So stuff happens both ways.”
Wide Receiver Sean Walker:
On what the team learned from this game:
“We learned a lot. We can build on what we did this week with our play calling and our defense. We have to continue to play with intensity.
On if he would like to see two quarterbacks:
“I would just like to win. If two quarterbacks will help us win, then I would like to see it. If one will help us win, then I’d like to see that.”
Quarterback Mackenzi Adams:
On the offense in the second half:
“They did a couple of different things. Nothing really surprised us. We didn’t get into a rhythm until the fourth quarter. We never got anything clicking.”
On rotating at quarterback with Chris Nickson:
“I was prepared to come in and out. That was the gameplan and that’s what we are going to do. You got to make plays when you’re on the field.”
Georgia Head Coach Mark Richt:
“I’d first like to say that Vanderbilt did a heck of a job. It wasn’t a case of us falling behind to a team that wasn’t a good team. We were down ten to a good football team. I’m proud of our players for coming back and I’m thankful for the victory. I’m looking forward to the bye coming up and hope we can get healthy.”
On offensive line:
“The offensive line played well in the second half, and Knowshon (Moreno) was making them play that way. Knowshon was willing his way a couple of times, and was a catalyst in the second half.”
On the Georgia defense:
“The defense played very well in the second half. The defensive front got back to playing well. They found their way into the backfield in the second half like we did early in the game. Coach Martinez did a good job calling some stunts on the defensive line, and we started winning first down. When you do that, it put us in good position to force some sacks.”
On punting:
“I thought both punters did a good job tonight. Both teams were trying to establish field possession, and the punters did a good job with that.”
On going for the field goal to tie the game at 17:
“We decided to tie the game down there and put the pressure on them.”
On the Vanderbilt fumble:
“I don’t know what happened on the fumble. We’ve been wanting to have one of our guys hit someone like that all season to force a turnover.”
On no turnovers:
“I’m impressed that we didn’t have any turnovers and they had at least two.”
On Vanderbilt’s scheme:
“Vanderbilt has a good scheme. They have quarterbacks that can run and pass.”
On UGA FG kicker Brandon Coutu:
“I have complete confidence in Brandon. I thought he could have made the field goal when we were on the 40 yard line (57 yard field goal). I told him that you might have to kick it three times. I didn’t know if they were going to ice him or not.”
On the last drive:
“That last catch Trip had was a huge play for us. That pretty much iced it for us getting the clock down to zero.”
Final thoughts:
“I really believe that it was an unbelievably good 2nd half against a good football team. I’m proud of our team and coaches for it.”
Georgia Player Quotes:
Tight End Tripp Chander:
On his receptions on the final drive:
“You work so hard with these guys all year and you learn to love these guys and any time that you can do anything to accomplish team goals it is so gratifying. I was glad I was able to help get us in position to win”
Linebacker Dannell Ellerbe:
On the late fumble recovery prior to Georgia’s final drive:
“We knew we (the defense) needed to get off the field to give our team a chance to win the game. Somebody kind of pushed me towards the quarterback but luckily the ball came out to me. I was kind of anticipating a throw, but they ran it instead. I’ll take it.”
Running Back Knowshon Moreno:
On his larger role with injuries at the tailback position:
“Those guys give us a great spark whenever we have them. We want them back as soon as possible. I’m just doing what I can until we get them healthy so they can come back and help the team.”