Nov. 17, 2008
Video, audio and quotes from Coach Johnson’s Monday Press Conference
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Senior safety Reshard Langford and senior wide receiver George Smith met with the media Monday to talk about Saturday’s game againt Tennessee.
Reshard Langford, Fifth-year senior safety, co-captain
Is the team ready to stop at six wins?
“Oh no, by no means at all. We’re still hungry, we’re no way near being satisfied by six wins. We know we have two more games, and we’re trying to win them both.”
Does getting the sixth win take away some of the pressure of trying to reach bowl eligibility?
“I think it gives us a little bit more freedom. It doesn’t put as much pressure on us going into this week thinking about getting six wins and only having two games left in the season. So, I think it frees us up a lot, and a lot of guys are going to be a lot looser this week.”
Did waiting several weeks trying to reach six wins get to you or the team at any point?
“I don’t think so at any point. We were going out playing to win each game. But, just having that sixth win makes a difference, in the fact that we know we’re bowl eligible and we can do a lot better now. We still have a chance and aren’t waiting until the last game to get to a bowl.”
What was the bus ride home on Saturday night like?
“I actually stayed in Kentucky with my dad. My dad and my brother came up. They were the only two who had a chance to make it. So, I told them that if they came I’d stay with them.”
What was the experience of sharing the win with your dad and brother, and you teammates?
“It’s really special for me. I’m really, really close to my family. Having shared that with my teammates, it was awesome. After that game Saturday night, under the conditions, all the things that we had been going through with the four-game losing streak, there was a lot that we overcame. And, it was just a credit to our team and our camaraderie, and the way that we play for each other.”
Talk about getting the sixth win and what that means to players from past teams.
“I know it means a lot to them. They’ve all came back and said something. (Tampa Bay Buc DT) Jovan Haye was here Florida week, and he expressed how much it meant to him to watch us and how well we’re doing this year. We know those guys are rooting us on.”
George Smith, Sixth-year senior wide receiver, co-captain
Talk about what happened in the locker room after the game.
“I can’t lie. I had a few tears running down my face. It just really felt good to finally get to that point where you’re bowl eligible. We’ve been here for a long time, and we’ve been working hard for a lot of years. It feels good to be at this point, but it’s funny. I’m here at this point now, but I’m still not satisfied. The ultimate goal is to have the best possible record. In order to do that, we have two games left.”
The entire team huddled around the defense during the last couple timeouts. What sparked that?
“In the beginning, there was just a whole new feeling that I think a lot of guys can attest to feeling it. Even before the game, we were all together, and there was a whole, new level of excitement within the team. I felt like we were behind each other. The defense was behind the offense, and when the defense had that last stretch we just felt like we needed to be out there for them as a team. I think that’s where it showed during the timeouts.”
Talk about the quarterbacks and how they’ve been able to keep their heads in the game.
“That just shows great mental strength. I think a lot of people forget how much mental strength you need for this game. I think they’re both always prepared to come in and win the game for us. I think that’s what Chris (Nickson) did. His number was called. He came in and made big plays on the ground and in the air. That’s what we need out of our quarterbacks.”
You’ve been here six years. Is UT week special, and does the sixth win alter that?
“We look at every game the same, but I think we’ve built a kind of rivalry game with UT, both being in Tennessee. So, it’s a big game. When we play them it’s always a good game, so we look forward to it every year.”