Junior Quarterback Quinten Dormady
Looking back at Saturday’s game:
“As a whole we didn’t play up to our standard, and we’ll get that fixed. As far as receivers go, Brandon (Johnson) obviously had an outstanding game, and I think we are continuing to improve as far as our rhythm and timing goes. That’s always good, but we didn’t play up to our standard. I have been having too many turnovers, and that’s something I need to fix going forward.”
On decision to put in Jarrett Guarantano:
“We weren’t playing up to our standard. We didn’t have enough energy and were kind of flat. That was Coach’s decision. I am here to win games, and whatever the coaches think is the best decision I will go with that.”
On the team’s lack of passion on Saturday:
“I don’t know exactly what the cause was other than we need to have more energy from the start. We need to come out with more energy from the start.”
On progress as a first time starter:
“I think it has been a cumulative effect, I can’t point out one specific area. I think each game has been a little bit different, but obviously what has gone right and what has gone wrong. I think with this past game, with the receivers we have made a huge step forward.”
On consistency as a whole from quarterbacks perspective:
“Each drive is different, but there is penalties in there, there is turnovers, things of that nature. Having a turnover in the second drive of the game on my part, kills the energy. That is probably part of the reason we didn’t have much energy going forward throughout that game. I think that is probably the biggest thing is my turnovers, and then penalties throughout the drive that puts you behind the chains.”
Sophomore Wide Receiver Brandon Johnson
On Georgia’s defensive line putting pressure on the wide receivers to get out of routes fast:
“I would definitely say we have to have a sense of urgency on the perimeter because we know that they have great defensive lineman who are going to try to get pressure on the quarterback. But I’m confident in our offensive line that they’ll be able to handle it and that as a receiving group, we’ll be able to do a good job too.”
On his confidence going into the Georgia game after an impressive showing against UMass:
“I’m confident going into this game. I’m just looking to make the most impact I can, whether that be outside on the perimeter or in the slot, wherever they need me, I’m just looking to make an impact. And the same goes for the rest of the guys. As receivers, we’re all just looking to make plays.”
Junior Defensive End Kyle Phillips
On the passion and energy level during the UMass game:
“We definitely lacked passion and energy during the UMass game. I was very disappointed. I thought we had a few good practices last week. We didn’t come out to play on Saturday and it really hurt us and impacted the game. It starts in practice, we have to bring that passion and energy to practice. We have to work on game-like reps and just know that every play in practice is a game rep. That is what is going to help us to prepare for this game.”
On the last two Tennessee-Georgia games coming down to the final play:
“This is the SEC. Any game can be determined by one or two plays. That’s why you have to be ready each and every play. You can’t slack off for one play because that could be a game changer.”
On his level of confidence:
“I think as I’ve been getting more game reps, I’ve been getting more comfortable just being out there. My first two years, I would kind of get in for one play here, one play there, but now I’m getting in for big drives and things like that, so I think that’s really helping my confidence this season.”
On the strides that the defensive line has taken recently and how that showed against UMass:
“As a defense, your mentality is just to win the game, and that’s what we did. So I think that was a step forward for us. A lot of times, we haven’t finished games. So I think last week gave us confidence that we can finish games, and that the team can put it on us. If the offense is struggling, they’ll know that we have their back.”
-UT Athletics
