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Game Week Player Quotes: Florida
8/29/2023 3:17 PM | Football
Cole Bishop | Jr. | S
On finally being in game week…
"We're ready. It's going to be good. Instead of tackling and hitting the same guys, we'll get to go hit someone else."
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On Florida quarterback Graham Mertz…
"A lot of us have watched a lot of his Wisconsin film. He did some really good things. He's got a really good arm. He's still a dual-threat guy…he can still run the ball and escape. We're preparing for him and we're ready."
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On preparation for effective tackling compared to last year vs. Florida…
"We're tackling in practice, more than we used to. Whether that's people, or dummies, or just working on your technique; there's a lot that goes in to making a tackle. The technique, angles, things like that. Just trying to perfect that and be ready for Thursday."
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Where do you expect the defense to be better than last year?
"Everywhere. We've got a lot of guys coming back, lot of new guys are bringing different things to the table. I think we're going to be a pretty elite defense out here."
Â
On the feeling going into this game…
"Obviously, being at home helps a lot. Home field advantage, especially at Rice-Eccles, is a big thing. We've played them before, so we know what to expect. Obviously there's going to be different things and different personnel. But at the end of the day, it's going to be the same team as last year to an extent. I'm more comfortable; the more games you've played, the more comfortable you're going to be. This is my third first game. So it gets a little bit easier."
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Devaughn Vele | Jr. | WR
On the overall feeling being in game week…
"I feel like the guys are just ready to play a game. We've been going up against the same people for the past couple months. It's nice to have some new people to play against and get the season started."
Â
On being surrounded by guys that are confident in each other…
"(It's about) trusting the process and understanding that these guys are ready and mature enough to step up when their number's called. You've got to give your all. If you've got to take a little break or something happens, someone's going to be ready to step up."
Â
On now being one of the older guys and providing a veteran presence…
"It's a new front for me. But I'm excited for it. I'm appreciative and grateful to be able to have guys that look up to [me] and want to hear what you have to say, and give your two cents about how to play better as a football player. I've come a long way and I'm grateful to be in this position."
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What do you remember about last year's game at Florida?
"I feel like we just didn't execute as often as we should have. We left a lot of points on the board; could have finished some drives. We had a couple goal line stops, obviously the interception was the heartbreaker. We just understand that we have to finish with points on the board, whether that's field goals or most importantly touchdowns."
Â
On finally being in game week…
"We're ready. It's going to be good. Instead of tackling and hitting the same guys, we'll get to go hit someone else."
Â
On Florida quarterback Graham Mertz…
"A lot of us have watched a lot of his Wisconsin film. He did some really good things. He's got a really good arm. He's still a dual-threat guy…he can still run the ball and escape. We're preparing for him and we're ready."
Â
On preparation for effective tackling compared to last year vs. Florida…
"We're tackling in practice, more than we used to. Whether that's people, or dummies, or just working on your technique; there's a lot that goes in to making a tackle. The technique, angles, things like that. Just trying to perfect that and be ready for Thursday."
Â
Where do you expect the defense to be better than last year?
"Everywhere. We've got a lot of guys coming back, lot of new guys are bringing different things to the table. I think we're going to be a pretty elite defense out here."
Â
On the feeling going into this game…
"Obviously, being at home helps a lot. Home field advantage, especially at Rice-Eccles, is a big thing. We've played them before, so we know what to expect. Obviously there's going to be different things and different personnel. But at the end of the day, it's going to be the same team as last year to an extent. I'm more comfortable; the more games you've played, the more comfortable you're going to be. This is my third first game. So it gets a little bit easier."
Â
Devaughn Vele | Jr. | WR
On the overall feeling being in game week…
"I feel like the guys are just ready to play a game. We've been going up against the same people for the past couple months. It's nice to have some new people to play against and get the season started."
Â
On being surrounded by guys that are confident in each other…
"(It's about) trusting the process and understanding that these guys are ready and mature enough to step up when their number's called. You've got to give your all. If you've got to take a little break or something happens, someone's going to be ready to step up."
Â
On now being one of the older guys and providing a veteran presence…
"It's a new front for me. But I'm excited for it. I'm appreciative and grateful to be able to have guys that look up to [me] and want to hear what you have to say, and give your two cents about how to play better as a football player. I've come a long way and I'm grateful to be in this position."
Â
What do you remember about last year's game at Florida?
"I feel like we just didn't execute as often as we should have. We left a lot of points on the board; could have finished some drives. We had a couple goal line stops, obviously the interception was the heartbreaker. We just understand that we have to finish with points on the board, whether that's field goals or most importantly touchdowns."
Â
Players Mentioned
S
/ Football
WR
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