University of Tennessee Athletics
Postgame Quotes
September 16, 2000 | Football
TENNESSEE HEAD COACH PHILLIP FULMER:
"We were focused coming into the game. We remained focused. We will use this as a chance to learn and get better. Our pride is hurt, but the sun will come up and we will fight again.
"We were down inside the 20 five or six times. We will watch the film and see what we have to do to get better down there. We would have gone for it on fourth-and-1 if the ball had not come out.
"A.J. Suggs played admirably and took the plan and worked it well. Most of the time he did a good job. Randy Sanders also did a good job in calling the game.
"If the guy called it a touchdown, then it must be a touchdown. There were 140 other plays out there. We are not going to hang our heads on one play.
"I was proud of Scott Wells today. We lost a few players along the way. He's been ready and we should have played him in the Southern Miss game.
"It was a great college football game. We have some work to do in the orange zone (inside the 20) and work on defense."
FLORIDA COACH STEVE SPURRIER:
"We were extremely fortunate today. Tennessee
outplayed and outhit us. They ran it up and down the field, but we kept them
out of the end zone. They kicked five field goals. We didn't play well and I
hope we learned we're not as good as some of our players think we are.
"God smiled on the Gators today. We were outplayed, but got more points. Two years ago, Travis Taylor caught a TD pass right about that same spot. They called that one good, too. We were very fortunate. It was a judgment call. Jesse was not hesitant to throw the ball. What we did was good enough for the final outcome. Jesse's our best quarterback. Lito Sheppard is a player. He can make the plays and has a good chance to be our starter. He wants the ball thrown his way.
"This was the first game like this, I think, since the 1993 Kentucky game. We really stole the game. It's good for the Gators. We have to realize that the other guys can kick our butts just like we could kick their butts. I told them Tennessee was not afraid of us.
"We're not always that mouthy. We have some guys who like to spout off, who like to talk. We need to try not to talk us much and play more. Our receivers need to grow up and catch a few. We knew our receiver was not on the line when the touchdown was called back. Our guys have a tough time lining up."
PLAYER QUOTES
TENNESSEE PLAYERS
Kicker Alex Walls: "It's the same with me as the rest of the team.
I'd rather get touchdowns than field goals. I'm proud, but can't be too proud,
about not coming out with a win. I think I definitely boosted Coach Fulmer's
confidence in me. I knew I was going to have some opportunities in this game.
I'd rather kick extra point attempts than field goals."
Running Back Travis Henry: "The offensive line blocked well all night. I was just trying to run the ball hard and help this football team. We played our hearts out as a team, but just came up short. We had some miscommunications and we just couldn't get it in. We've got to go out and work hard to get better next week."
Linebacker Eric Westmoreland: "It hurts to lose any game. Coming into the game, we had a good plan on both sides of the ball. Towards the end the defense as a whole has to do more to get the drive stopped."
Wide Receiver Cedrick Wilson: "We beat those guys up and down the field on both sides of the ball. We didn't get the victory. Those guys are very good and very experienced. It was tough on us."
Quarterback A.J. Suggs: "I can't say we didn't have our chances. Three points isn't bad, but we need to work on getting seven. My teammates encouraged me. We just had a few miscues and you can't have those."
FLORIDA PLAYERS
Quarterback Jesse Palmer: "It is a confidence booster to win a game
like this on a big drive at the end. We used our time well. Coach called the
best plays to give us our best chance to win. We knew that even though bad things
were happening, if we would kept fighting, then good things would happen.
(On the last drive) "I just told the guys, 'Let's go make some memories.'"
Florida Wide Receiver Jabar Gaffney: (On winning touchdown catch) "I caught it. I wasn't worried about it. After the catch, I put my hands up and the ref put his hands up."
Florida Linebacker Daryl Owens: (On Travis Henry) We knew he was a great back and he gave a great display of his running ability today. You can't arm tackle him and it's hard to cut him. You have to wrap him up and wait for your teammates."
(On Tennessee quarterback A.J. Suggs) "Coming in as a redshirt freshman he did a good job. We were not able to rattle him. We were very surprised at that. He helped Tennessee. Give Tennessee credit, but we played to the end."
(On final defensive stop) "We called a good defense and executed well."
