Nov. 3, 2008
Video, audio and quotes from Coach Johnson’s Monday Press Conference
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Senior safety Reshard Langford and junior center Bradley Vierling met with the media Monday to talk about Saturday’s home game with Florida. The game is sold out but will be televised on ESPN2.
Reshard Langford, Senior Safety
When you look at Florida on film, does their speed jump out at you?
“The speed is the key to their program because of their offense and the things that they do. But, we’re in the SEC and everyone’s fast. We’re a fast team, and we’re going to go out there ready to compete with them on Saturday.”
Does Florida take it to another level with their speed?
“They’re a fast team, one of the fastest in the SEC. They have a couple guys who run like 4.2s. That’s what they build their team off of, so I can’t take anything away from them except to say that we’re a fast team too.
How do you try to counteract Florida’s speed?
“Just go out and play physical. We just have to go out there and play our game, and play hard. I don’t think it’s going to be any different than any game that we’ve played this season.”
Do like the challenge of trying to slow down Florida’s offense?
“Yeah, I think it will be a challenge to our defense and our team as a whole. We have to go out there and play special teams too. That’s a big part of it. Not to say anything about the past, but just like Georgia, they had been putting up a lot of points, and we played with those guys. We held them below their average, so it’s going to be another game to go out there, and fight, and play hard against Florida.”
Bradley Vierling, Junior Offensive Center
How was the off week for everyone?
“It was nice to get a few days off, and hang out with the guys outside of everyday football life. It wasn’t a normal off week for us. We were practicing hard, very hard, and we were getting ready for Florida because they’re a great team.”
What have you seen in Florida’s defense that makes them so tough? What type of test do you think you’re going to be up against?
“The best. Any defense in the SEC is going to be very hard to go against, especially Florida. They have great athletes up and down their roster. That’s what their known for, being fast. We just need to execute, and worry about our job individually and as a group on offense. We need to look to execute, because we didn’t do that against Duke.”
How nice is it to play Florida at home?
“We’re very excited about being at home. ESPN’s coming again. It’s a night game. It’s good for the campus life. It’s good for the community around here, and we’re excited about it. All of the guys are really excited for a nationally televised game again. We’re going to be fired up and ready to go.”
Do you think that Vanderbilt has to be the tougher, more hard-nosed team to beat Florida’s speed?
“I think in those first five games that we played and won, that was the case. We out-toughed our opponent, and we’re going to have to do that the rest of the year. We have goals we want to meet. We want to win our last four games. In order to do that, we have to be the tougher team out there.”
