Sept. 27, 1999
Coach Hal Mumme
On facing Arkansas’ defense: “They have a very good defensive scheme. Next to Indiana, they probably had the best game against us last year. They laid back in zone coverage most of the time but they also mixed the blitz pretty good. They are very physical on the defensive line, so that is something we are going to have to be ready for and it’s something I don’t think we were ready for last year. Last year they took away the run from us so we want to run the ball better this year.”
On what area UK improved the most against Florida: “I was very encouraged by our offensive line. I though they got a lot better, particularly in the third and fourth quarter and I really thought we ran the ball better behind them. They did a real nice job on pass protection so that is very encouraging. I think Kip Sixbery played his best game so far. Particularly in the second half, he just lined up and blocked that guy and did a great job. ”
On the UK receiving corps: “We have to step it up at wide receiver. We are not making enough plays at the flanker and split end spots. The routes were okay but we just aren’t catching the ball as well on the big plays. I think you’ll see Brad Pyatt more and a little more of Ernest Simms. We are certainly going to give them good hard looks this week.”
On WR Quentin McCord: “We’re going to try to get Quentin to step up his game. He’s had some really bad luck. I don’t know how else to put it. I think in the past he was hidden behind (Kevin) Coleman and (Craig) Yeast and now he’s having to be the guy. The same with Garry Davis and that’s a learning role. We’re not disappointed in their play, they just have to find a way to get it done more. We need them to step up and make more plays.”
On WR Brad Pyatt’s emergence: “He’s a guy who came in here this summer and worked hard. He’s very focused and learned the offense. The thing I like about Brad is that you look at him and Dougie Allen and they are very productive. The balls thrown his direction, he’s caught most of them so you have to go with the guys that are hot.”
On how Florida and Arkansas compare athletically: “I think they are pretty close. Arkansas matches up well with Florida. Arkansas is in the top-20 and deserve to be there.? They have a lot of seniors on their team, 22, and 15 that start.”
On UK’s defense against Florida: “I thought we played better in spots and let down in some spots. I think we basically played good enough to win on defense and didn’t play good enough to win on offense. We only gave up one big play through the air and I think until late in the game, we did a nice job of containing their run and forced them to throw. Mike (Major) did a nice job calling zone coverages.”
On RB Derek Homer: “Derek got the carries because he got hot. We asked him to respond and he did. That’s the way it works. He’s had some good practices, and we hope he keeps coming on.”
Offensive Lineman Josh Parrish
On the line’s improvement: “We seem to get better every game. We hadn’t played together in the Louisville game, and now we have some games under our belt. Now that we know what each other is going to do, we’ve improved our run blocking and pass blocking. At times, we ran the ball effectively against Florida. I think continuity has had a lot to do with our improvement.”
On Steve Spurrier’s compliments of UK’s line: “Florida has a great defensive line, and if they think we did a good job then that’s a big compliment. But it’s easier to be complimentary when you win. I’d certainly trade his statements for a win.”
On UK’s run game: “I think we can run the ball now, and we need to. If we don’t, all they have to worry about is the pass rush and they can rush full steam. That would make our lives very tough.”
On Arkansas: “They just keep coming at you. They’ve got 11 guys going for the football. They keep at it the whole game.”
Quarterback Dusty Bonner
On UK’s mindset: “I think last week showed that we’re not going to quit. We’ve just got to practice this week and get prepared and come out and execute on Saturday.”
On the Arkansas game: “I don’t put a whole season on one game, but to get to a bowl game you’ve got to win six. And until you get to six, every game is important. So it’s important for us to win this game, but it’s important for us to win every game.”
“Any time you lose, there is a sense of urgency to win. This weekend is another chance for us to play a tough SEC team and try to get another win.”
Defensive Tackle George Massey
On Arkansas: “They’re a tough, physical team, but I’ve just got to go out there and play the game like I always do.”
On Arkansas’ physical toughness: “Being a tackle, I love contact. I’m looking forward to it.”
On UK’s tackle troubles: “The other guys play their games, and I play mine. They’re going to go out there and play as hard as they can. We just need to make a few adjustments.”
Safety Willie Gary
On last year?s Arkansas game: ?It was a game that I thought we should have won and this year it is a game we need to win. I would not say our backs are to the wall, but we do need to pick it up as a team.?
On the defense against Florida: ?I think our defense could have played a whole lot better. We should have tackled a bit better and we had trouble again in that third and long situation.?
Tight End James Whalen
On his focal position in the UK offense: ?I have to anticipate being a target of the defense to a point, but I am just looking at trying to get open and stay away from the defenders. So if I do that I won?t get hit. Hopefully I will be able to do that next week and not take as many shots as I did last week.?
On the importance of the Arkansas game: ?This is a huge game because it is always important to get that first win under your belt and even more important when you are looking for your first conference win. Coach (Mumme) told us that at 2-2 we can go either direction, we can go up or we can go down. Knowing the character of my teammates and the character of our coaching staff here, I think we are going to go up. I know we will play hard, put in a good game plan and we will execute it.?
On serving as a mentor for the freshmen tight ends: ?I really love the fact that I will have the opportunity to help teach them. I will be able to come back in a few years to watch them play and know that I had something to do with the talent they have and the experience that they are getting. That really means a lot to me. I have watched Derek (Smith), Bobby (Blizzard) and Chase (Harp), before he got hurt, get better after each week. To watch them improve dramatically like they have is really a special feeling for me.?
On developing into UK?s leading receiver: ?Deep down I always knew that this is what I was capable of doing. It just took an opportunity given to me by one man, that was Coach Mumme, and the rest is history.?
