Florida State University
Football Media Conference
Saturday, November 11, 2023
Tallahassee, Florida, USA
Coach Mike Norvell
Press Conference
Florida State 27, Miami 20
MIKE NORVELL: Start off, you know, so proud of our
team. What a big game. What a great atmosphere.
Unbelievable with just our fan base. The energy that was
in Doak Campbell Ell stadium tonight was remarkable.
Our players, we knew this game — I mean, you get to this
game, rivalry game, we knew it could come down to
literally one play. That’s what showed up tonight. Our
guys, they just have continued to battle. There are plenty
of mistakes made and things we have to get corrected, but
in the moment of truth they just continued to respond.
That’s who are. That’s why we work the way we work and
we challenge them the way we challenge them, so in those
moments they’re going to be able to rise up and make the
play that’s necessary and just continue to have each
other’s back.
It’s a football team that loves each other and they work
hard together. They challenge each other. They continued
to push, you know, for that game.
I mean, it’s just so big for the program, so big for our fan
base, the university, everybody involved. I’m just proud of
these players. To be able to win the last three in this
series is big. Continuing to build upon that. You know, to
be able to finish up ACC play undefeated, ninth time in
history we’ve been able to do that. That’s a big step.
Tonight, you know, said this a year ago, this is a special
program. This is a special place. Unbelievable tradition,
unbelievable legacy that we have to push and work to
uphold.
But to be able to change the walls here is something that’s
important. To be able to get back-to-back 10-win seasons,
to be able to continue to elevate to that standard within our
program is something that I’m proud of our players for.
They worked so hard and put in so much. Just really
pleased with what they did and what they’ve done up to
this point of the season. We got two more regular season
games to go. Finishing up ACC play undefeated was
something that was a big step for our program as well.
You know, it was a great game. Excited for the things that
we’ve seen and just the way that our players continue to
respond.
Q. So many players have played such a huge role on
this team, what you guys have done the last four
years. Was it kind of fitting for Jarrian to come up with
the final interception?
MIKE NORVELL: Yeah, it was special. You know, he’s a
young man that he’s worked very, very hard and just
improving and has grown up so much on the field, so much
off the field.
Just who he is as a man is something that I respect and I
love him. He’s just a really special, special person. For
him to be in that moment, to have the opportunity to seal
the game, finish it like that, really proud of him.
You talk about guys, Kalen DeLoach was somebody that
was special for us tonight. You know, talk about guys that
have been here throughout journey as well. Kalen has
been great all year. I think he’s playing at an elite level
there at the linebacker position.
The impact he’s making on the game, he showed up big.
Broke the rock there for us after the game, so very
impactful in all the things that he’s doing. It was just a
wonderful night to see those guys and see the joy on their
faces being able to get that win, knowing what it means,
especially with the journey we’ve been on.
That was definitely great for those guys that have been
through the process and been through the journey.
Q. Staying with that theme, I was going to ask about
DeLoach, but I’ll respond accordingly. Malcolm Ray
had the pressure on the pick on the last play. For
those guys that have stuck through this winning three
in a row, 10-0, having everything in front of them, how
important is it for that group especially?
MIKE NORVELL: It’s huge. You talk about this game.
This game is going to be remembered forever. Every
person that’s ever played in it, everybody that ever
coached in it, they know the importance of this one.
To be able to — where we were four years ago and where it
had been, to be able to come out and win the last three, I
mean, just the continued progression, and this game it’s
always going to be a battle. There is always going to be
challenges. Always going to be adversity that shows up.
I think you see the maturity of the guys that have been
through it. Whether they’re players that have been here for
four, five years or guys that have been here for eight or
nine months. We’ve all said yes. We have all said yes to a
standard, an expectation. We’ve all said yes to continuing
to push daily to get better and maximizing the opportunity
that’s here.
You know, to see that, us play as a team, because it was
all phases, offense, defense, special teams, everybody had
to show up big in moments. Keon was huge with the big
punt return and then the touchdown.
You know, I mean, I’ll tell you, Alex Mastromanno, I mean, I
think he might have got a swing on the hammer there at
some point, but he flipped the field for us. He really did a
good job with being able to help us win some of that field
position battle.
But then obviously offensively, defensively, the plays that
were necessary. We gave up some things that we don’t
ever want to really give up, and just got to finish a couple
plays. Offensively, you know, there was some times we
just kind of stubbed our toe.
That was a good defense, one that has definitely improved
and playing with a lot of confidence in what they’re being
asked to do. We had some missed opportunities that we
get to grow from, but proud of this team and just all the
guys.
Like I said, all the journeys, but really special for the ones
that have been here throughout it. Definitely great to see
Malcolm out there making an impactful play in that
moment.
Q. The defensive performance in the second half, one
play was pretty dominant. What went into that with
effort and physicality, and even maybe some scheme
adjustments in the second half?
MIKE NORVELL: Few adjustments. They did a good job
coming in, you know, trying to mix up a couple different
looks and things they were doing out of personnel
groupings. I thought our guys adjusted well. I thought they
played at a very high level.
Even the big touchdown they had, I mean, we got two guys
in position. Just unfortunately didn’t — weren’t able to finish
it in that moment.
You know, that’s part of this game. It was a great throw by
Emory, and obviously George made a really nice catch and
run there afterwards.
It’s every play. It’s a game of inches in this game. The
passion, intensity, all things that go into that one, it’s big.
But to finish tonight and be able to get that victory was just
like I said, it was huge.
Q. Mike, what was the message to the team in the
locker room afterwards just knowing how many of
these games you guys have played and come out
victorious, and then also knowing there is still a lot to
play for?
MIKE NORVELL: I mean, that’s what — you know, you sit
there and you look at the way these games have been
won, the emotional swings, the good, the bad.
There has been times we’ve had guys injured, times one
side of the ball has performed well and the other one had
to really respond throughout it.
But you see a team. You know, I mean, any great team
that I’ve ever been around, you got to have that. You got
to have that as a critical component. You know, when
times get tough, when things are challenging, when maybe
it doesn’t go exactly like you thought it would on a play or in
a quarter or whatever that is, that you can just dig down
deep, you have the grit, the confidence to be able to
overcome and go get better.
That’s what this team has done, and they’ve done it over
and over throughout the course of the season. They’ve
played at a very high level. This is a great team. It’s one
that I’m honored to be able to coach, and just excited for
where we’re going as we continue to go through this
journey.
Q. Kind of along those lines, I think the position you’re
in, being Top 5 almost all year, feel like you often get
team’s best shots? In this rivalry, too. What do you
think it is about your team that it feels like time and
time again this year they’ve responded when they get
punched in the mouth?
MIKE NORVELL: Ultimately, that’s what this game is going
to do. When you’re a top program, which we are, I mean,
you’re not sneaking up on anybody. You’re going to get all
that people have and it’s going to be challenging. That’s
what I love about it.
You know, everything we do in our program starting in
January academically, you know, the sacrifices our guys
make socially, just who they are, to go out there and just to
push to be their best, I mean, I say it all the time, this
program is not for everybody, but when you see the
commitment and the belief, the work ethic, just the
relationships, you know, it’s what makes it special.
We’ve got an incredible group and they really care about
each other. I think even to go back to Andrea’s question,
that’s one of those components you can’t fake it. When
you have guys that truly love each other and they’re willing
to push and coaches, players, everybody involved, doesn’t
mean you’re not going to have a difficult time or even
adverse situations within the team, but you have the
example. You build the trust.
You know, I’m so proud of our guys for what they’re willing
to put in and obviously the position they’ve put us in.
Q. Coach, the team got Johnny Wilson and Keon
Coleman back this week, and both made some huge
plays down the stretch to give this offense the spark.
What can you say about the significance of having
those guys back healthy, not only for this game, but
down the stretch the rest of the season?
MIKE NORVELL: Yeah, they’re great players. Obviously
tremendous matchup issues for opposing defenses. It was
good to see them get out there and work together, and
obviously some of the plays that they made were
monumental in this game.
Also Ja’Khi Douglas had a huge play there. Guy that had
to step up a week ago when they were out. You see just a
variety of guys that are ready for the opportunity. You
know, some games you guys will have more, some games
guys will have less. Everybody has to serve a role.
Everybody has to be ready when the moment calls upon
them.
You know, once again, just in the run game there was
some challenging things with just looks and numbers and
things that we were seeing. You know, our guys just
continued to battle. It was great seeing Trey being able to
get out again and just proud of our guys.
Definitely a team effort, and whether it’s on one side of the
ball or just collectively with all three phases.
Q. Mike, there have been a lot of really good teams,
really good Florida State teams in that rivalry have
suffered some heartbreaking losses to that program.
Kind of looked there in the final couple minutes it was
coming down to maybe a player or two. How did your
team avoid a heartbreak to this program?
MIKE NORVELL: You know, it goes down to the training,
the belief, the confidence. You know, with all the emotions
and all that’s around you, can you focus on doing your job.
This game, that’s what it should come down to, right?
Anybody that’s ever been a part. I’ve been around some
rivalry games and obviously some — there is nothing,
nothing like this game.
You know, we’re fortunate. We got two big ones, and the
only ones I talk about before the season, before winter
workouts. This is what it’s about. You want to be a part of
games like this. This is why you come to Florida State, to
be in an atmosphere like we got to be in.
It prepares you for all things that are ahead. This was a
championship atmosphere, championship approach, all
those things. When you play in a game like this, it takes it
all.
Like I said, there has been a lot of teams that have come
up short, but this is a very confident team. You know,
when those moments arise they know what it takes
because they put in the work.
Q. Coach, mentioned a little bit already, but talk about
the special teams today. On the one hand you had the
onside kick that didn’t workout, and Keon’s punt return
and then Alex flipping the field for you guys.
MIKE NORVELL: Yeah, I thought our guys did a really
good job in special teams. You know, we took a shot on
the surprise onside. Unfortunately — and all credit to their
player; made a really good play — we got a little bit bigger
hop than we have had in our preparation, but he made a
great play.
I was confident in how we would respond even in that
situation if we didn’t get it. Something we had talked about,
something we were prepared for. You know, but you see
the way our guys — the work that’s been invested in special
teams, you see how it’s carrying over on game day.
You know, you never know which unit it’s going to be, punt
return, kick return, coverage units had to show up big.
There were some challenging situations. Alex was flipping
the field, but coverage units have to get down there and be
able to get them down.
I thought just the belief in that is something that also
speaks to the culture. You know, we have a lot of great
players that play on our special teams unit and some
newcomers that I think are going to be wonderful players
by what they put on display in those teams. Proud of our
special teams group and was so very impactful for this
game.
Q. Coach, you said you have coached in different
rivalries. What makes this one special in your
opinion?
MIKE NORVELL: I mean, that was a field full of very
talented players, and when you take great talent, great
ability, but the passion, the intensity, it’s 365 days, right,
their fan base is gonna talk about it and our fan base going
to talk about it. What do you want them to say? That’s the
opportunity of we’ve had for the last three. It’s a pretty
good feeling.
Obviously it’s something that you don’t just prepare for this
game when it gets to this week. It’s everything that we do.
There is a focus to make sure we’re going to put ourselves
in the best position to go be able to win it.
Even doing that — we didn’t play our best game tonight, but
made the plays necessary, right, to go win the game.
That’s going to show up in any championship-level game
like this. I just was so proud of our guys for the composure
they were able to have to go make the plays necessary at
the end.
Q. Revisiting special teams, Alex was one of the guys
that got to break the rock. One the few guys that got to
tonight. How important is it that the team is
recognizing what might be a smaller role is on the
team? How important is it that the team is recognizing
is his impact?
MIKE NORVELL: You know, every person, every player,
you know, everybody matters. It’s easy to point to offense
and defense, but when you feel and you know and you
watch the special teams and the investment that goes in,
our specialists do a great job. They work so very hard.
Ryan being a semifinalist for the Groza Award is something
that — a lot of people doubted him, too. Alex has been so
very consistent for us this year, and we needed him to
show up big today. That happens from time to time.
Really good offense, and sometimes he didn’t get much
work. When his number is called he has to be ready. Our
team appreciates that. James Rosenberry, somebody I
want to shoutout. Obviously he’s been outstanding in his
operation with his snaps.
Last week he was a player of the week for us in special
teams because nobody talks about him. I’m glad nobody
talks about him. You don’t want people to talk about your
long snapper, but he does an outstanding job as well.
Just the things we ask our guys to do in the work and the
time invested, to see that show up, I think it’s just a tribute
to them.
Obviously Coach JP does a great job in the planning and
continuing to build that for our guys. But it’s really big, and
the appreciation within our team, I think it speaks to the
culture once again.
Q. I think Jordan is the first quarterback, starting
quarterback to go 3-0 against Miami in the history of
this rivalry. Not his best passing day overall, but just
the grit he showed, and also did you — in the moment
can you hear like when the crowd starts chanting his
name during a break, especially where he came from
three or four years ago?
MIKE NORVELL: For me, I don’t usually hear some of
those things. It’s special that they did. You know, I think
when you see what Jordan Travis has meant to this
program, and especially the path that he’s been on, you
know, there has been ups and downs. He’s had to work,
he’s had to believe, he’s had to grow throughout it, and he
is a tremendous leader.
For him to finish up as a starting quarterback 3-0 against
those guys, it’s big. You know, I’m so proud of him. He
pours so much into this team and he cares so much, and at
the end of the day, it’s all about getting the win. We were
100% on offense not turning the ball over, and we knew in
a rivalry game that was going to be huge.
To see our guys be able to have that discipline and carry
that over, that’s one of the things that I think doesn’t get
mentioned enough, is these guys — you know, we have
explosive players, we do. But they play a disciplined brand
of football too, and I’m really proud of them for being able
to do that.
Then obviously defensively the takeaway when we needed
it. It was huge. Being able to seal the game there. Really
proud of our guys.
FastScripts by ASAP Sports
Florida State University
Football Media Conference
Saturday, November 11, 2023
Tallahassee, Florida, USA
Jordan Travis
Kalen DeLoach
Keon Coleman
Press Conference
Florida State 27, Miami 20
Q. Kalen and Jordan, what does it mean to win three
in a row? And Keon, what was your first experience
like in this rivalry game?
KALEN DeLOACH: I’m going to say for me, it was just
going to mean a lot to me, go out in my last year with 3-0,
go against these guys with the guys I got on the field
definitely going to mean a lot to me, because these guys I
work with every day, ride or die. I’m with these guys every
day, so definitely going to mean a lot to me.
JORDAN TRAVIS: Yeah, I love winning football games at
the end of the day. That’s the goal every week. Obviously
going against Miami it’s a little bit different. Feeling is a
little bit different. Emotions are a little bit different.
Yeah, like Kalen said, it’s my last year, too, so I mean, I
love — I’m so happy I’m going out with a win against them
boys. I’m not a fan of them at all. Yeah, very thankful.
KEON COLEMAN: I’m happy for them. Coming in here I
didn’t really know much about the rivalry. I just knew it was
two dominant programs in the country, so just coming out,
being able to get a win and go 1-0 — well, 2-0. We played
them when I was State, and I ain’t lose either.
But getting a win with those guys, sending them out on
their last year was is a special moment for them. When it’s
special for them it’s special for me.
Q. Jordan, did one of their players rip your chain?
JORDAN TRAVIS: Yes, ma’am.
Q. We saw that a little on TV. Can you take us through
what happened there?
JORDAN TRAVIS: I don’t know. He was talking a lot the
whole game. Yeah, snapped my chain and I had a couple
words for him. That’s it. I got it back though.
Q. (Indiscernible.)
JORDAN TRAVIS: No, not at all.
Q. Kalen, the defense gave up 96 rush yards in the
first half; second half only 35. What went behind the
adjustment to defense made in the second half to step
up and prevent that?
KALEN DeLOACH: You know, at halftime you got to make
adjustments to what they do, so going to halftime knowing
what they were giving us in the run game, knowing we had
adjust certain fits. You know, just change things and then
go out there — at the end of the day, go out there and play
football.
You know, at the end of the day our job is to stop the run,
as a defense stop the pass. Once we made those
adjustments, like you say, it’s hard to get them yards.
Q. Jordan, we’ve seen games this season where the
team has been piling on the points; the offense
clicking from the jump. Then we’ve seen games like
tonight where a little bit of a slower start and you’re
able to battle for the win in the end. Ultimately the
experience of playing in these different type of games
and able to win different styles of games, how valuable
will that be for what this group wants to accomplish
down the line?
JORDAN TRAVIS: Yeah, I feel like every game — I was
thinking about it I think it was yesterday. I feel like every
game you learn a new like life experience, something that’s
going to help you later on in life. Things are not always
going to go your way at the end of the day. I mean,
especially in a game like that, two teams that dislike each
other a lot. Always going to be a lot of emotion. We had to
learn how to handle that type of stuff.
I just feel like it shows the maturity of this team on how we
grow every single week. You know, obviously being down
and coming back again, felt kind of like the LSU game. We
just got to keep our foot on the gas. There were so many
mistakes today we need to correct as an offense
especially.
Once we get that right, this team will be rolling for sure.
Q. Questions for both Jordan and Keon. On the
touchdown pass, I know it’s like a fade pattern into the
end zone, but what goes into that play, the precision?
Easy for me to say. And then the energy afterwards,
momentum of that play?
JORDAN TRAVIS: Well when you have a guy like this it
makes your job easy playing quarterback. You put ball up
anywhere he’s going to go make a play. Just got to give
him the chance.
Yeah, offensive line gave me time. Yeah, when you have
a guy like this makes your job easy. Thankful for him for
sure.
Q. Jordan, was there any trash talk when you were
taking a knee?
JORDAN TRAVIS: Yeah, there was. I just wanted to take
a knee and get it over with and go celebrate. Yeah, there
was a lot.
Q. Kalen, question for you. I don’t know how steeped
you are in this rivalry’s history, but been a lot of very
good Florida State teams that have lost heartbreaking
games to that program. How do you guys avoid that
heartbreak when they got the ball back with a minute
and a half left and they were driving on you? How did
you guys finish off the game?
KALEN DeLOACH: The defense, we was on the sideline.
We knew we were going to have to go out there and finish
the game. We needed a stop. You know, just thankful that
our defense got the opportunity to go out there and
showcase what we’re capable of.
We build for those moments. We enjoy those moments. I
feel like we made the most of those moments. Like he
said, we’ll continue to grow, learn, and take advantage of it.
Q. Keon, talk about the punt return. Looked like you
muffed one in the second half, and then the massive
punt return to set up the touchdown later in the game.
KEON COLEMAN: Really just my team needed me to
make a play, and I feel like I can do that once the ball get
in my hands. I made a clean catch on it and just did what I
do best. My blockers, they was blocking. I ain’t lying to
you. They was blocking. I just found a crease and kept
running. Probably should have scored, but I didn’t see the
punts.
It is what it is.
And the muffed one, just being more disciplined. I thought
I seen one of our guys close enough so I tried to back
away from it, but that was a stupid decision. Got to be
more disciplined in that and avoid that heartache. That
could have been devastating.
Q. For Jordan, you mentioned throughout the week
how much you don’t like Miami. You know, growing up
in South Florida as well, you mentioned winning, too at
the same time. How deep does that rivalry go for you,
someone who has played Florida State, been a fan of
it, against a team you grew up in the area? How deep
does this go for you?
JORDAN TRAVIS: Yeah, I mean, it’s really big for me. It’s
big for my family. Going to my brother’s baseball games
when I was ten years old Florida State versus Miami just
hearing the fans and what they said to my brother always
stuck with me.
The fans, I don’t know, the fans are not too kind, but, man,
at the end of the day I’m thankful to be a Florida State
Seminole, to go out and represent this university, go out
with my teammates and compete week in and week out
and just get better, have an opportunity to get better.
Miami came out to play today 100%. Those teams find a
way to win. Fans came out and supported us today and
that helped a lot, too. Yeah, what I said already. I’m not a
fan of Miami at all, and I’ll say that for the rest of my life.
Q. Keon, when we first spoke to you you were so
confident about coming to Florida State and everything
was going to work out despite the fact there was so
many play makers already here. How much is that
confidence in Mike Norvell, the confidence, in yourself,
and the quarterback sitting next to you?
KEON COLEMAN: Simple as that. So many play makers
you don’t have to overdo your job. Just go out there be
disciplined, disciplined route runner. Block and chase the
ball. Sometimes you get caught because we have some
good running backs. I got caught a lot, you know what I’m
saying?
So that is the biggest adjustment, continue to play because
at any moment it can break. I wasn’t worried about
anything. I knew coming here putting my trust and Coach
Norvell we was all going to do what we supposed to do and
win the game and get to that next level. I just be a around
a lot of guys that was in that same position as me, and, you
know, go out there with a lot of the lose. A lot of people
going to say each week they got a lot of players. How they
going to do this, how they going to do that. So just going
out there every week and answering that question, that’s
the challenge, and I love a challenge.
Q. For any of you, being the Top 5 team you’re
probably going to get team’s best shots about every
week. I feel like a lot of the last few weeks there have
been moments that could have gone south had the
other team had a chance or took advantage or took a
lead and was in position to maybe take control. What
do you think it is about this team that you’re at your
best in the toughest, most adverse moments?
KEON COLEMAN: I’m going to go first. Like you said, we
got a lot play makers and we put a lot of trust in our
coaches and our coaches trust what we do and out ability,
so, you know, like he said, the key word was had. They
had. Ain’t going to keep it for long. We coming back for
that.
Q. Two questions real quick. Jordan, did they explain
to you how that wasn’t targeting?
JORDAN TRAVIS: No, they did not.
Q. Okay. And then you two guys, Kalen and Keon,
talk about Jordan. You guys probably don’t realize
this, he is the first FSU starting quarterback to go 3-0
against Miami in the history of the school. Talk about
him and what he gives you guys.
KEON COLEMAN: Great, simple.
KALEN DeLOACH: He’s a dog. You see what he go
through and the things he do throughout the week and
come out there and play on Saturdays, it means a lot to
him and a lot to me.
Like you said, 3-0. Just to stick with this guy through my
whole process, I’m going to go battle with him any day, any
day.
KEON COLEMAN: Yeah, again, numbers don’t lie. This
dude has a lot of heart. You think some quarterbacks are
soft. That’s not him. He’s going to go out there every day
and compete. He’s going to go out there and show he’s
resilient and bounce back from whatever loss he took.
For him it’s not a loss, it’s a lesson, and he learns the
lesson pretty quick, so…
JORDAN TRAVIS: Thank you guys.
Q. Kalen, as one of the guys that has seen the rebuild
of this program, what have these past two weeks been
like in just seeing qualifying for the ACC
Championship game and now getting third straight win
over Miami. From where this program started out
when you came here to now, what has it been like
taking in all these two weeks?
KALEN DeLOACH: I’m just taking it in year by year, just
learn a lesson each year and try to apply it to the next year.
Like I say, going through my five years, it’s been a
struggle, but you know, we got to a standpoint where we
got to turn this thing around. We brought in a good group
of guys. They came with a great mindset and they’re just
willing to work. They bought into the program and they just
continue to work.
And at some point things are going to go our way and I’m
grateful for it to happen now.
FastScripts by ASAP Sports
Florida State University
Football Media Conference
Saturday, November 11, 2023
Tallahassee, Florida, USA
Akeem Dent
Press Conference
Florida State 27, Miami 20
Q. Congratulations. Describe what it feels like to win
games against those guys?
AKEEM DENT: I mean, it’s a feeling that you can’t buy.
Three straight, especially for me being from down south.
So three straight, yeah, I got stuff to talk about when I go
back home. (Smiling.) Great for me.
Q. For how far you have come personally, guys have
come in this class with you, to get three in a row over
these guys, talk about the journey, the development
through the last several years in this program for and
you the rest of your classmates.
AKEEM DENT: I think the development, like trusting the
process with a new coaching change, buying in to the new
culture. Some people was culture shock, but buying in and
staying to it, sticking to the script.
I feel like I always feel like Coach Norvell had a good script
coming in; just had to play it out and wait until it finally
complete.
Q. What did you see on the interception that sealed it?
AKEEM DENT: Oh, what I seen was, yeah, backyard
football going to make a play. (Laughter.) No lie.
But overall, yeah, what I seen was, yeah, (indiscernible)
had an out-cut, and I think they put the running back —
yeah, they sent the running back or the third receiver up
the middle. My boy Jarrian made the play, got us of the
field. That’s what I seen.
Q. I think in the second half you guys blitzed on eight
straight plays. Talk about the second half adjustment
and the defense starting to play offense a little bit.
AKEEM DENT: I mean, you know, sometimes you just got
to put pressure on them. I feel like it probably did get to a
point where they was having too much space or being too
comfortable in the pocket, so a lot of pressure going to bust
the pipe, and I guess they bust they pipe, so…
Q. Assume you guys were expecting Van Dyke to start
at quarterback.
AKEEM DENT: Uh-huh.
Q. Did the game plan change at all? Did you have to
change anything once you realized they were going
with the freshman quarterback?
AKEEM DENT: No. We ain’t saying nothing. I mean, I
seen he was on — they started the freshman like I think an
hour before the game or like 30 minutes, so it was like too
late to make any adjustments.
To me personally, they all play the same. It wasn’t really
no drop off. Even when he got in fourth quarter he was
trying to complete something, but it was still the same type
of formations and situations, so…
Q. It’s probably hard to define, but what do you think it
is about this team that seems like they kind of respond
so well time and time again in those adverse situations
when times are hard?
AKEEM DENT: Tour of duty. I mean, a lot of ya’ll might
not know what tour of duty is, the spring workouts. You
know, what ya’ll see, that just come from spring ball,
summer work outs, you know, staying to it. They’ll throw
us in the deep end and make us respond every day. That’s
like the number one thing of the program, respond.
Q. Kind of going off that, can you talk about the
onside kick? Did they talk to the defense in the locker
room saying if he doesn’t get it we need you guys to
hold and that drive force Miami to the field goal?
AKEEM DENT: The offside kick was money. I feel like me
personally, the one pop pop a little too high, but it was
money. It was right there. We could have — it was money,
so I ain’t got nothing to say. I think we would’ve executed.
Just a little high pop.
Q. I know it’s on the other side of the ball, but getting
Keon and Johnny back and then watching Keon bust a
lot of punt return, like what did those guys give you
coming back and playing this week?
AKEEM DENT: They gave us back that offense that
everybody know, so shoutout to them boys. They came
back and did what we wanted them to do. As a defense
we proud to have them boys back, and appreciate how
they came back, so…
Q. What was the atmosphere like? Seemed like it was
loud. How did it help you on defense throughout the
night?
AKEEM DENT: Yeah, it was crazy. Like for running out
the first time, it was like yeah. But one thing I will respect
though, it was filled with our fans. It wasn’t like half and
half. Our fans done for sure.
So just to see all the fans come support, third downs,
everybody getting loud, you can’t beat that, yeah.
Q. You guys have done such a good job focusing on
each week and yourselves. Now the finish line is
getting close, 10-0, couple games left to get where you
want to be. Can you start to taste it a little bit now or
still taking the same approach?
AKEEM DENT: I don’t think nobody want to taste it right
now. Just one game at a time, you know. Just one game.
Like because once you start thinking too far down the line
then you start — one game at a time. We taste this one.
We got to taste the next one.
Regardless of who the opponent is, we got to come out
and play hard.
Q. We’ve talked all year about communication. How
do you guys think did you in the communication
aspect today?
AKEEM DENT: Communication was great today. I mean,
it been great really the whole season, so great today. As in
everybody know each other, we been around each other
for three, four years, so everybody know the voice and the
communication depending on how loud or not.
Q. I know you said you always believe in Coach
Norvell’s script. What about Coach Fuller? What’s it
been for you guys this year? Is it personnel with
something with chemistry with the coaching staff?
Other than the bust in the fourth quarter play, in the
second half this season you guys are lights out.
AKEEM DENT: Same thing with Coach Fuller script. They
came in together. Coach Fuller, everybody, the same
thing. Everybody just had to dial in and believe. I think it’s
a pretty solid little system he run.
You know, you got to believe first before you can do
anything. Without believing going to always be mistakes.
Q. You’re going to be leaving after this year. You guys
had a ton of recruits here today. Talk to any of those
guys? What kind of things do you tell those guys on
their visits?
AKEEM DENT: I mean, you know it’s home, man. You
know where the feeling at. From when I came here it was
a feeling more than the coaches or the commitment. It was
like I just feel like I fit here. I know a lot them feel like they
fit here, so other than that, I’m cool with a lot of recruits
though, so I feel like the class that coming in going to be
great. The DB class.
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