| The No. 24 ranked University of Virginia Cavaliers arrived on Thursday evening in Fort Lauderdale for their December 30th matchup with the No. 9 ranked University of Florida Gators in the 86th Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Virginia arrived as a team and was greeted officially by Orange Bowl Committee members prior to checking into the Diplomat in Fort Lauderdale. Video is available at:https://www.orangebowl.org/media/info/pressbox/ Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall and select student-athletes met with the media today (Thursday, Dec. 26) moments after touching down in South Florida. The Cavaliers will practice for the first time in South Florida at Florida Atlantic University tomorrow (Friday, Dec. 27) at 4:10 p.m. 15 minutes of practice will be open for still and video photography only. Virginia Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall On arriving in South Florida and making it “more real”…“It is an absolute tangible and realistic step for the advancement of our program. It’s a little surreal right now, but acknowledging the journey we’ve been on and how hard our players have worked, this is the next step for our program and we can’t wait to capitalize and do our very best.” On feeling the intensity turn up a notch once arriving…“No question. The reality that this is happening and that we are here, it’s one thing to practice in Charlottesville, to go through Christmas together and manage all the time we’ve had. It’s another thing to arrive on site and the urgency already is different.” On balancing having fun and taking care of business…“I think framing is everything. The bowl experience and the whole Orange Bowl experience is an educational and life transformative event for all of our players. That’s a part of what college is, but so is preparing and performing well when you have an opportunity. Balancing life is a part of becoming an adult and this will be a great test and challenge for them to learn, grow and advance.” Virginia Quarterback Bryce Perkins On being in South Florida…“Seeing all of this, it makes you feel like that we are finally here. All off-season we’ve been practicing and it feels like fall camp all over again. We’ve been anxious to get here and compete and after our loss in the ACC Championship, we’ve been eager to get back out and play football again.” On taking a step back to appreciate what you’ve accomplished…“Yea, I think you have to. Football is fun and you shouldn’t be playing if you’re not having fun. We definitely took our time to reflect and enjoy the moment and enjoy the progress of this program. The guys, our mindset is dead serious when we come out here. We know what we got to do and we know how to do it to reach our goal.” On balancing enjoying the experience and staying focused on the game…“Just making sure that when it’s time for business, like practice and meetings, we are dialed in and focused. It’s ok to have fun when doing the activities for a bowl. We know we are going to be busy this whole week, so we know when it’s time for football, make sure our minds are in the right place.” On what it would mean for this program to come away with a win…“Only one other team has reached 10 wins at UVA, so that kind of just frames it right there. Looking back to where coach Mendenhall first started to with six, then eight, then this year with nine wins, it speaks to the culture of this team.” On being in 70 degree weather…“Man, man, man, I am blessed and happy to be back in 70 degree weather after being in 40’s and 30’s. To get back in warm weather feels like home.” Virginia Cornerback Bryce Hall On being in South Florida…“It’s beautiful weather out here, which was the first thing we noticed getting off the plane. We know the Orange Bowl is an amazing tradition, growing up watching the Orange Bowl and all these teams that played in it. Just being here, touching down in Miami, I love Miami, playing at the Hard Rock Stadium, it’s an amazing tradition and we are excited to be here.” On taking a step back to appreciate this season…“We did that today, actually in our team meeting. Coach stood up all the seniors and he expressed his gratitude for us and how we were his first class, acknowledging where we started and where we’re at right now. He took that time and really just showed his gratitude and appreciation, which is something that is so cool because you get in a mode trying to be focused, but at the same time you don’t ever want to forget what got you here.” On what your role will be this week, being injured, not playing, kind of like a coach…“Just like you said. Coach, encourager, supporter, up-lifter, anything I can really find my hands to do, I’m going to try and do with all my might.” On being the leader and keeping the team focused…“I’d like to think so, we are all grown men and I think the coaches made it clear as to why we are here. So, yes, I do think that is part of my role. At the same time, I know that we’re a responsible group of young men and we know what to do.” University of Florida – Practice notes from Thursday, December 26, 2019: The University of Florida Gators practiced this afternoon in full pads for two hours at Barry University in Miami Shores. It was the Gators first practice in South Florida. Florida will practice again on Friday, December 27th from 3:45 – 5:45pm at Barry University (photo/video opportunity for 15 minutes). Florida Wide Receiver Trevon Grimes 6-5, 214, Junior, Fort Lauderdale, FL/St. Thomas Aquinas/Ohio State On the first day of practice here in Miami…“Practice was good. It was energetic, we worked hard. We just had to pick up where we left off in Gainesville and come out here and execute.” On preparations after the long layoff…“I feel like some of the preparation and challenge is to just stay focused. You can lose focus when there is such a long gap between games. We have a phenomenal group of coaches that keep us grounded and make sure that our head is on our shoulders. We haven’t really missed a beat. We came back out here today after probably seven days and picked right back up. ” Note: Videos and photos from all Capital One Orange Bowl events are available via Dropbox on the Orange Bowl web site at https://www.orangebowl.org/media/info/pressbox/ |
| About the Orange BowlThe Orange Bowl is a 370-member, primarily volunteer non-profit sports organization that promotes and serves the South Florida community. With its primary mission since being created in 1935 to bring tourism to South Florida through an annual football game and events, it has also maintained a legacy of charitable contributions and community outreach. Orange Bowl community outreach efforts are comprised of four pillars: youth sports, fundraising and community events, academic programs and scholarships, and legacy gifts. The Orange Bowl features a year-round schedule of events culminating with the Capital One Orange Bowl on December 30, 2019. For more information on the 2019-2020 Orange Bowl events, including promotional and volunteer opportunities through the Ambassador Program presented by Panera Bread, log on to www.orangebowl.org or follow the @OrangeBowl on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat. |
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