Florida coach Jim McElwain: ‘This is Kentucky’s Super Bowl’
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Florida coach Jim McElwain talked about the Kentucky matchup, the environment and provided an injury update on his weekly radio show. Defensive backs coach Kirk Callahan also stopped by to talk about the secondary.
McElwain on Kentucky: "This is their Super Bowl. They've got an opportunity to do something they haven't done in a long, long time."
— Landon Watnick (@LandonWatnick) September 17, 2015
McElwain on Vernon Hargreaves: "Ready to go, full-go. He's knocking on my door all the time to get his offensive package back in."
— Landon Watnick (@LandonWatnick) September 17, 2015
Mac says everyone is more focused this week. He says the team has been practicing with noise and silent count all week.
— Andrew Spivey (@AndrewSpiveyGC) September 17, 2015
Callahan once again talking about playing more Dime this weekend against UK. A safety will come down as a LB.
— Andrew Spivey (@AndrewSpiveyGC) September 17, 2015
"I'm not into taking steak-eaters on the road. If you're on the road, you're going to play, not just eat." – McElwain on 70-man travel team
— OnlyGators.com: Florida Gators news (@onlygators) September 17, 2015
Opening comment about Kentucky:
- “First and foremost, our guys are really excited getting into SEC play … going on the road, a hostile environment, a place that’s invested a lot in their program and organization, upwards of $160 million in their football department. You can tell with the investment that their coaching staff has them believing. They’re playing really good, they’ve got some really good talent.”
On this practice this week:
- “I thought there was a certain buzz around the whole facility as far as the importance of what we’re about to take on … We’ve spent all week working with noise silent counts.”
On other injuries besides Hargreaves:
- “Obviously we took a big blow with Alex Anzalone not being able to play this week…At this point we need to keep building depth.”
- “Keanu Neal is back full time. He’s ready to roll.”
- “C’yontai (Lewis) is in a cast … Camrin Knight’s gotta step up and play. (DeAndre) Goolsby will play more obviously.”
On WR Demarcus Robinson’s 15 receptions against Kentucky last year:
- “He also dropped four. He should have had 19, including a first down that would have iced the game.”
On senior defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard:
- “I’m really impressed with how Jon Bullard has gone in unselfishly and played some three technique…I can’t tell how you proud I am of him of what he’s doing to help the Gators win.”
On preparation for road games compared to home games:
- “It’s a business trip. We’re not going there to go on vacation in Lexington….We try to create the same atmosphere that we have at our home hotel here. For us, it’s about trying to make everything routine, everything down to how the utensils are placed on the table … Make it as much like home as possible.”
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
