Here’s what Georgia coach Mark Richt and few Bulldogs players had to say after their team needed overtime to beat Georgia Southern, 23-17, on Saturday night.

MARK RICHT

On the win …
“A lot of really good things happened, but the turnovers really hurt us. We got the touchdown on our first drive and then turned it over when it looked like we might go up 10-0 or 14-0. Then early in the second half, we had it in really good shape and we fumbled and they scooped and scored to go ahead. All of a sudden, we had to really get after it. We kept our poise and our composure and kept doing our jobs until the very end. I was proud of the way we finished. … The defense stoned them in overtime. We got the stop on fourth down and that allowed us to get it in the end zone and finish it.”

On facing a Georgia Southern team that knows how to win …
“I’d rather play a team that’s 5-5 instead of 8-2 regardless of conference or division. A team that’s used to winning is difficult to beat and that was the case tonight.”

On the fans …
“I am thankful for our fans. They honored the seniors the way we hoped they would. In the end, we needed the crowd noise and the juice and the energy, and they were a big part of our victory.”

On Sony Michel’s game-winning touchdown …
“Good blocking was the key to Sony’s touchdown. He hit the crease and he hit it full speed. He split the safeties and had the speed to take it to the house.”

More on the win …
“The only stat that matters is the victory. I’m really pleased with the guys. We had to grind it out until the very end. We did what we had to do to get it to overtime and win it.”

On how the seniors reacted …
“It was really fun to watch our seniors. You never know how they’re going to react. They looked excited, relieved and thankful. They were thanking their teammates for making their last memory in Sanford Stadium a good one. They were all smiles and I’m proud of them.”

On winning three straight …
“I’m proud of our team. We’ve had a lot of things to overcome. We kept our poise, we stayed together as a team, and we handled the adversity in the right way.”

QB GREYSON LAMBERT

On Saturday’s win against Georgia Southern …
“My hats off to Georgia Southern. It took us 60 minutes plus to handle them. At the end of the day, a win is a win is a win and that’s what we did tonight. That is the most important thing.”

On Sony Michel’s game-winning touchdown …
“All I did was raise my arms to the heavens and said ‘thank you God.’ We knew it was going to be a very hard fought game. We knew it was going to be like that and for us to end it emphatically was a great way to end it.”

TB SONY MICHEL

On his teammates celebrating after his game-winning touchdown…
“It was great. They should have really just jumped on all the seniors. I want to dedicate this game to all the seniors.”

On the offense’s performance on Saturday …
“We just stayed to what we do best. Georgia Southern has a great defense and hats off to those guys. They played a great game today.”

OT KOLTON HOUSTON

On helping the Georgia defense today…
“Defense has put this team on its back all season. When they come through with these big stops, it really does give us a big boost of energy. We are proud that we could come through for them today.”

On Senior Day…
“I’m thankful for God. I’m thankful for my family and this team. The way these young guys battled for the seniors today – I really can’t enough for them. I told the team before we went out at half to get this one for the seniors and they did.”

FS QUINCY MAUGER

On getting the win today …
“We knew we were going to have to come prepared and come ready to play. Georgia Southern is a very good team and we are glad to pick up the win.”

On the positives going into the Georgia Tech game…
“There are a lot of things we can take to next week. Our main focus is to play a 60-minute game and play our hardest.”