University of Tennessee Athletics
Postgame Quotes: Vols 45, SC 42 (OT)
November 02, 2014 | Football
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Tennessee Head Coach Butch Jones
(Opening Statement)
Well, I haven't even had time to catch my breath. But what can I say about this football team? Our perseverance, our resiliency was
rewarding tonight. And, you know, being down by 14 with four or five minutes to go in a game, there was never a doubt that we were
going to win this football game. And I give South Carolina a lot of credit, they made some great plays - [Pharoh] Cooper is a great
player. But just really proud of our players, everyone associated with our football family, every person on that sideline knew we were
going to win that football game. You know, I thought starting the game off, obviously had some momentum, didn't capitalize on some
field position and they took plays in the wildcat formation, but again, just proud of our players and resiliency by everyone.
(On the running game tonight)
To be able to rush for that many yards, you know, Jalen [Hurd] has been doing it all year long. And in the game you see a lot of
freshmen, first and second year players, making a lot of plays out there, but I am really proud for our seniors. Very, very excited. It's
just victory number four, but again, seeing their faces in the locker room - it's a great testament of everything that we've been
preaching all year long about never looking at the scoreboard, just continue to play. I thought Josh [Dobbs], again very, very good
poise, managed the offense. We like to have the one throwback going in, but again, made some plays. I thought Alton ["Pig"] Howard
stepped up, made some big plays - executed the one minute drill to perfection with no timeouts left. Again, they say the mark of a
really good quarterback is the ability to lead their team from behind in the one-minute drill on the road - and Josh [Dobbs] was able to
do that.
(On being able to win a close game)
Well, it feels good anytime you win, but I feel great for Vol Nation. You talk about a loyal fan base - we are going to need them as
this season continues to progress. Our student body, our student section - I hope everyone in Vol Nation can have a great weekend
and a great week. And I am proud of our seniors and everyone associated with our football program. You know, we've been on the
other side of things - so we're going to enjoy the night.
(On the defense getting stops at crucial moments in the game)
I thought the defensive front, especially Curt Maggitt came off the edge with a whole other presence in overtime. Same thing with
Derek Barnett and you know, forced them to go all the way back. We wanted the ball first in overtime and to kind of put our defense
on the field and let them win it, because, you know, that's a very, very talented offensive football team. Coach Spurrier, as we all
know, does a great job creating mismatches in one-on-one matchups, but again, it's a testament to these kids - the resiliency that
they've shown all year long.
Joshua Dobbs • Quarterback • Sophomore
(On what he brings to the offense with his running ability and how it opens up the passing game)
It keeps the defense on their heels and it allows us to have a balanced attack. We had a really good running game today and the
offensive line did a good job of opening up holes. Then, when the receivers make plays, the defense doesn't know what's coming and
it keeps them on their heels. We did a great job of executing the game plan.
(On coming back after he threw the interception in the 4th quarter)
I knew I was fine. I knew the defense would make a stop, and they did. We got good field position after the stop and we were able to
capitalize on it.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin • Linebacker • Sophomore
(On getting the win)
It was amazing. The theme of the game was "do whatever it takes." When it came down to it, we made plays and made it happen. ™n winning a close game
It feels like we're getting over that hump. We made plays and had guys step up and make plays in big situations.
(On the defense getting the stop in overtime)
We felt like we had new life. We feel like you give us a place to stand, we can stop you. The offense gave us a place to stand. They
put us in a good situation and we came up with the stop.
Aaron Medley • Kicker • Freshmen
(On the celebration in the locker room)
That was a special moment and it was great for the seniors to get a program win like this.
(On making the game winning field goal in overtime and what the win meant to the team)
It meant everything. This was a great team effort. The defense had the offense's back and then the special teams had the defense's
back. Looking forward this was a great program win and this is going to propel us in the future.
Jalen Hurd • Tailback • Freshmen
(On getting this win)
It was amazing. It was our first really big win this year. I enjoyed every bit of it and the team played amazing. I was just doing my part
and help anywhere I can.
(On getting the win in comeback fashion)
I just kept thinking back to whatever it takes. We busted our butts throughout this week getting ready for this game. Even in the
Alabama game, we were down, but we didn't give up at all. Thats exactly what we need and our wide receivers made some big plays.
Our offense played great and didn't give up any sacks. We had a lot of rushing yards and the team played great.
South Carolina Head Coach Steve Spurrier
(Opening Statement)
I don't have a whole bunch to say obviously. A lot of guys really had sensational games - Pharoh Cooper, Brandon Wilds and so
forth. There are one or two calls I wish I could have done over. We couldn't hold the lead, as we all saw, just not good enough. Not
good enough to hold the lead, not coached well enough as a team. We did a lousy job maximizing what we think we've got here. We
score a few points, but we find a way to lose. This is a tough one. It will take a while to get this one out of your system, but we've had
about three or four like this, this year. We should be getting used to it by now but I have tough time getting used to these kind of
things.
Defensive Coordinator Lorenzo Ward
(On what to tell players postgame)
I don't know. I'm just speechless. This is the third time we've had at least a two touchdown lead in the fourth quarter and lost the ball
game.
(On strategy of the final drive)
They needed a touchdown and had no timeouts. The coverage we were bringing was...we knew the quarterback would have time but,
obviously you get the ball thrown in the middle of the field so they cant get to the sideline, but they got out a couple times and ran out
of bounds and stopped the clock and that's our fault.
(On whether or not defensive struggles are fixable)
Of course we can fix it. We've got three games to play; we've got to fix it. You can't ever give up on your kids; you can't ever give up
on your system. You keep working at it.
(On what can specifically be altered to improve defense)
Keep practicing tackling. Keep working at what you're doing. It can't get any worse so you've eventually got to get better.
Dylan Thompson • Quarterback • Senior
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I couldn't tell you. I'm not watching them ... I'll watch film. My guess would be just coming fast off the edge and getting back there
pretty quick, but our offensive line played a heck of a game and I'm proud of them.
(On play calling, specifically late passing plays)
You never know how the game is going to be called. I think coach called a great game. We had a lot of success. It just hurts man,
coming out of these games with losses.On how he continues leadership through challenges
You just got to try to push guys and keep them motivated as much as you can. I'm not going to sit here and say everybody is extremely positive right now, that's a lie. Personally, I just have to hold onto the fact that constant and not determined by performance or anything like that so I just hold onto that rock.
Pharoh Cooper • Wide Receiver • Sophomore
(On how he feels losing despite a historic performance)
Very frustrating. Even though I had a big game, set a record, we still lost the game so all that stuff goes out the window. It's just very
frustrating; we have lost five games this year. It's really frustrating.
(On whether he is worried about mentality of the team)
I'm not worried about us falling down. We're going to continue to play the game, have fun, let the season ride out. Go out there to
practice next week and we're going to try to learn from our mistakes and get better in what we did. Just get ready for the season and
the rest of the few games.
(On individual performance)
I had a good individual performance but as I said earlier all that goes out the window. I'm not ever really thinking about what I did
tonight being that we did lose. I wish we would have came up with the "W" but things happen so as far as my performance, I'm really
not thinking about it right now.
Sharrod Golightly • Spur • Senior
(On how the defense is working to improve)
We take time to work on the fundamentals every day. We've just got to bring it to the field. That's all. We've got to be game-time
performers.
Brandon Wilds • Running Back • Junior
On confidence heading into overtime
As far as the offense goes, I thought I was pretty confident going in from the 25-yard line. They got the best of us so there's nothing
we can do about that now
