University of Tennessee Athletics
Media Monday: Players Preview UGA Game
September 22, 2014 | Football
Senior Linebacker A.J. Johnson
(On defense being disruptive)
"Pretty much turnovers, that's the main key, getting turnovers. One thing Coach (Jones) has been harping over this week is we need more ball disruption. So, we're going to work that all this week in practice so we can carry that over to the game this week."
(On what impresses him about Georgia)
"Pretty much we all know they've got good backs, so filling up the run is the main thing. Filling up the run plays and controlling the line of scrimmage, and going out and executing our plays. It's not really about what they do, it's about how we do it on defense. If we do our job right, we'll have a successful night. Complementary football like (Marquez) North said. We get our offense in good field position, and that's all it is. Football is about field position. You get closer to the end zone, your percentage of scoring is way higher. We're trying to get good field position and turnovers. I think that'll be the big key.'
(On playing against Todd Gurley)
"I look forward to playing every opponent. I know he's one of the top running backs. I always like playing the best, so I'm glad he's back."
(On what stands out about UGA's Todd Gurley)
"He's a good runner. That's all I really can say but it isn't really anything too crazy. We see good running backs every week in the SEC."
(On what the team got accomplished during the bye week)
"We practiced really hard and we got some extra study on Georgia so that will help us. We had good practices on our bye week. We got relaxed. We'll I wouldn't say relaxed, but we got recovered. People who maybe had a little bruise or something were able to get more treatment, get our body right and we're back to the regular schedule now. We're ready to go back at it and we know we have a long stretch, a long seven-game stretch of good teams. This off-week came at the right time."
(On playing Georgia one last time)
"Pretty much, we have to go down there for one thing and that's to get the `W'. I know we haven't beat them since I've been here so that's the main goal. It's my last time to go down there, last time to play in their stadium and my last time to play Georgia. The biggest thing for me is I want to come out with a `W' and like you said, I know a lot of the guys on that team. I've been at camps with them and stuff like that but at the end of the day, we're competing and trying to win."
Sophomore Defensive Back Cameron Sutton
(On the secondary's ability to be disruptive)
"That's our job and we've just got to get the ball back to our offense. That's any way possible. We're also trying to put points up on the board as well. That takes a lot of pressure off our offense. When we're getting the ball back to them, they're able to stay in drives and keep the ball moving. The more opportunities they have the ball in their hands, it's better for the team."
(On playing Georgia in his home state)
"Piggy-backing off of what A.J. said, it's all about getting the `W' and we're going down there with our road focus trying to come out on top. Like I said, it's always good to play in your home state and all but we're competitive and we're not really worried about being friends on the field. We can talk, hang out and do all of that after the game but while we're on the field, we're competing and trying to get the `W'."
(On how much Georgia recruited him)
"They recruited me fairly enough. I mean, it was alright."
(On whether Georgia offered him a scholarship)
"I'm not sure. I really don't even know."
(On Georgia's quarterback)
"He's a good decision-maker. Coming into this game, I don't think he has any interceptions so far, so he gets the ball to the right guys. They're great with out-of-play action on offense and he's got those running backs back there also that complement the passing game with him. So, they all play together and it's just our job to limit that, eliminate explosive plays and get the ball back to our offense."
(On the dangers of Georgia's play-fake game)
"In our defense, we preach, `Put your eyes on your key' and `See a little, see a lot'. So, we just have to do our job of putting our eyes on our keys and our guys and like I said, eliminate the explosive plays. They'll try to use their run plays to set up their play action and stuff like that so, if we're stuffing the run game, it'll be hard for them to set up that play action."
Sophomore Wide Receiver Marquez North
(On what changes for him if Josh Smith does not play)
"Nothing really changes. We just prepare the same every week. Like I always say, people have to get more reps and then we've just all got to step up as a group, play complementary football and gel."
(On if he will play more plays versus Georgia due to injuries)
"I'm pretty sure I'm going to play more snaps, but I'm prepared for it and I'm conditioned."
(On who else has stepped up and could see more reps)
"I mean everyone's going to get more reps and more plays, everyone that's capable, because we play a lot of guys."
(On Oklahoma's linebacker Eric Striker)
"From the film, we know Striker is a great player. What stands out about him is probably his first step. You can tell he studies a lot but it's really that first step."
(On what he's seen from Justin Worley since Oklahoma)
"He's one of the leaders of our team. He always tells us to keep our head up, either way. He didn't let them rattle him at all. This week in practice, from Sunday on, he was just the same. Justin came out there to work."
