we gave them a little bit more to cheer about this week right so I think the key here and I just talked to the football team about it um that's a good step in the right direction we all understand the level of competition in the opponent we have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Hatcher and and sord but better teams and better opponents are coming right there's still a handful of things for us to clean up as a whole um but I I thought the defense settled in and obviously uh DJ lagway had a phenomenal night um and we played well around him you know we challenged the team in every position group um and on special teams to kind of rally around him raise their level of play knowing that he was a rookie and it was his first start uh and I thought we started fast we had some energy about us uh early uh so compliment to the players it's been a long week it's been a tough week um and I do think our players got a little bit better each day um Wednesday we had a phenomenal practice and then I think the leadership was in a good place heading into the the game today so what questions do we have here H how did DJ just energize the the attack and and really the crowd too I mean last week I don't think he had one0 yard pass I think he had 6 35 yarders himself yeah no I think the the explosives in the first half obviously were a big piece to the puzzle you know two big plays and we had some balance right I think we established the run early um and he had time too right I mean I think that's the important part as well we protected better um so yeah very impressive I thought he was pretty clean I think he had a mental error in the first drive and then outside of that overall he managed it well and played played pretty clean Billy what does this do for his chances of playing more going forward yeah know I think that um our intentions are the same you know we intend to play him uh every week you know I think we intended to do that last week as well I think we had 20 plays or something at halftime last week or something so I struggled to get any rhythm going but he he brings a different element to our team and there's no question he'll be a part of every plan going forward Billy one more on on DJ what kind of impressed you most about his performance you know um I would tell you there's two things before he got here I was amazed with the hum um and how he handled all the attention now we knew him before he exploded you know I mean we found him early and he was committed to us and then his high school career just blew up that senior year but to just see how he handled himself um the way he PRI prioritized his team back at Willis and the way he carried that community and represented his family so that was extremely impressive and then to get here I think it's never too big for the guy you know I almost think it's like he raises his level a little bit you think about the spring game last week when when he went in um and then um you would have never known any different this week I mean he was just moving right along you know I think he's had a chance to watch Graham prepare knew what to expect had a week under his belt uh and then obviously he was excited you know and I think he made the most of his opportunities um three um three of do you really need the microphone in here I guess that's right the fans need that right um so three of DJ's first four passes tonight were for 40 yards or more how would you say that his ability to just throw the Deep ball and just like push the offense that way expands your guys's attack just when you guys are looking to make some moves offensively yeah mean it's impressive I mean I think the vertical passing game not just I mean these are accurate you know right in stride I mean they they were impressive so um and you know the first one was a naked right and uh it's almost like he said I'm I'm I'm throwing that double move on the outside right so he set his feet first two guys in the progression were open and he threw it down there to Badger that was impressive so yeah he's got he's got that in him um and you know he's been battling his arm is not necessarily been 100 100% the last couple weeks you know he's been banged up a little bit and I think he finally kind of the end of the week this week was healthy you saw that tonight coach you stressed uh execution this week and and how important that was on both sides of the ball just at face value before you look at the tape how did you how would you gauge that this this week well I think we communicated better on defense um and I think that we adjusted well they gave us a ton of wrinkles early a lot of loose play on the perimeter I thought that the defensive staff did a good job of adjusting getting to the right Concepts based off how they were playing offense and then yeah I mean I think offensively um I'm I'm frustrated with the the penalties you know we had the offensive line had a handful of penalties um that we need to clean up um but yeah it was clean I mean I would say they they did they gave us a few things different on defense but for most Parts what we practiced and I think the guys handled it pretty well just following up uh what kind of shoulder issue arm issue had DJ been dealing with and then secondly can you just take us through did you call plays in week one and did you call plays tonight yeah so um yeah lagway just had coming out of Camp you know I just think it a volume thing for a rookie just the the wear and tear of training camp the number of throws um no sign significant issue there but um it was an issue you know right there headed into Miami you know but I think he's had a phenomenal week and he's 100% healthy now um yeah and we called the plays you know I I don't necessarily um our entire offensive staff worked hard all week and um so I I I think that that's overrated you know I think the offense executed well today um but yeah we called the plays week one and we called the plays tonight as well you you mentioned penalties disappointing you or frustrating you there was like several personal fouls I guess again I mean last week it was a couple but this week it was three or four yeah we we had two um one was I think you know the rough in the passer I think we'll go back and look at that the ref was bang bang um I saw the replay I could see where that could go either way you know now the the kid that shoves a guy after the pat that's not acceptable right so we got we have to eliminate those types of things right and those are personal decisions and you compromise the entire team when you do those types of things um and we're not going to tolerate it so um nothing frustrates me more than you know things like that they might have missed one because DJ took a pretty nice shot to the head and how did he kind of handle that and shake that off yeah no he was good um I think he's probably a little more fatigued than maybe he was hit you know I think he ran around a little bit but definitely took a shot there but he was clear um got to the sideline he was all all good to go barly congrats on the victory first off um as it was mentioned before the the fact that that DJ just energized everybody from your team to the stadium and everything 456 yards is something to you know be very proud of but how much is that performance and yes it is sford and you're going to be playing an secc team next week how different is it going to be how or how much do it thought go in that maybe if we give him the start we could see something different out out of him I mean is that going through your mind right now or well that's a hypothetical question you know mean we're going to enjoy this game tonight we'll go back and watch the tape um you know we've got a good Young quarterback and we have an incredible veteran quarterback as well right so it's a good thing for our current team and the future of the program to some degree so look I think we have the makings of a really good football team you know I think that if we can play complimentary ball and we can play good defense good offense good in the kicking game we've got a chance to have a good team um you know this group of players is very disappointed with how they performed in week one you know and it's personal to them uh and I think that they're on a mission to prove that all this work that they've been doing um you know that that was not you know who they want to be you know I mean I think it's it's been a tough week in that regard so um maybe that gives us the spark that we need to prepare the right way to to start fast to bring energy but there's no doubt the level of competition that we're getting ready to face over the next couple weeks will be completely different right so uh they understand that we understand that and uh ultimately we've got to have a good week of prep and we got a chance to be in the swamp again next week at 3:30 the receivers today uh you know Badger obviously I know CLE Jackson had you know the tough situation this week but uh Badger Eden Mel ta cocket seemed like a lot of guys spread the ball around really well what were your thoughts about uh their involvement in the passing game today as well we we've got some good young receivers you know I think you kind of saw that today you know I think Tank's capable Marcus Burke is capable you know he he's had a great week and got to start and you know Badgers happened to be in the happened to be in the game when the ball came his way right Trey was came out of halftime and we felt like we hadn't involved Trey enough and we got him the ball early um but yeah I mean I think the the depth of that group will be tested uh and we're going to need some of those young players to step up and be productive every week you know and receiver's tough right because you're out there playing you might play 50 plays and catch three balls but you played really well you ran a lot of good routes the coverage was um maybe tilted your direction and the ball went somewhere else right so I think that group needs to continue to improve and develop as the season goes it's going to be a big piece of the puzzle for us I know Gramma was dealing with his own recovery throughout the week but how much did you see him involved in helping prepare DJ for making his first start and I know you mentioned he'd be in the Box potentially but what did you see out of him on the sideline and helping to be that kind of a player coach that you talked about throughout the game no he's been with him you know the majority of the week I would say especially the latter half of the week once he was kind of cleared in back in meetings back at practice um I mean the night before the game they had like a little walkth through in the room you know I mean Graham was going through every play with him and they were so I mean that's the type of relationship that they have um and I've been watching them since January right so uh they're both incredible young men and and really good teammates um so this isn't won't be like a Wally pip situation if you know that reference with graham losing a job because of injury yeah no I mean I just think it proves what we felt in the beginning we I mean we this guy was a Gatorade National player of the year he's one of the best players in the entire country and then uh he got an opportunity to play the entire game today and he is what we thought he was right so um yeah we we we're going to stay the course and much like we described in the beginning we'll have a plan for DJ every week going forward and then George gums uh tight end only play the year of Defense just what did you guys see from him uh and then tonight I think three tackles for loss a sack yeah yeah know it's a great evaluation bird Cheryl found George uh he went in early and then obviously they they did did a good job kind of doing the research and homework you know George was a former walk-on that turned scholarship player as a receiver then tight end he played on special teams then last year he moved to defensive end and then had a good year uh he's got traits and um he's one of the better I mean he's an incredible you guys should do a story about George gums he's he's an impressive young man he's got a great story Co recruit um definitely a guy that has done a good job with our team he's got some personality maturity uh his work habits are second to none and U we anticipated that he had a chance to be a good player he's proven that over time last question is mer do you expect him or do you expect him be clear by Monday uh he's not officially clear he has to go through his non- cont practice so he'll be back yeah we anticipate him being full speed for next week um obviously there was a lot of negative buzz in the days after the Miami game uh some rankings having Florida dropping to only three wins on the season just what does a win a dominant performance like this was it due to just change the attitude in the locker room and get you guys back on track as you look forward to a tough match up against A&M this weekend yeah it's a good step forward um you know ultimately um our players are very aware I mean I have leadership coming up to me and saying hey coach look we all understand this was a good day good step in the right direction but we got a lot of work to do and we got we got to make sure we're in the right frame of mind when we show up tomorrow so uh look better competition is ahead we all understand that um we have more to prove you know we we have a lot to prove in this group I think it's personal to them um and look I mean we've got a chance to to play a really good A&M team next next week and SEC opponent and um be back in front of our fans and I think that this group takes a tremendous amount of pride and representing the university and all the things that come with that and uh you know they don't they didn't feel good about how they did that week one and they're anxious to get back out there and do it better next time thank you coach all right guys thank you all Tyre it's just du cuz I got to put it in impressive oh man I love that kid just the I already knew the night was going to be successful for him just by the way he works and the way he carries himself he carries himself like a starter he carries himself like a like a starting quarterback so I I I didn't I Pro honestly almost wasn't even surprised cuz the kid works so hard and he he he tries his best to understand the game and he he keeps up with gaham and he he takes he takes from him so I I watch that kid closely he works super super hard so I already knew what what was ahead of him for tonight um you guys came out of the gates firing on all cylinders for a turnover right away creating all kinds of pressure in the back field just what was your guys' mindset after obviously a rather turbulent performance against Miami in week one what were you guys trying to do this weekend and just set the tone uh I think get our confidence back because it did take a shot at our confidence and it took a shot at though just the way we felt about our whole team but I think um just through leadership and the way and the way we carried ourselves through this week we wanted to prove to the to not just the Gator fans but I call them the I love the gator faithful cuz the Gate of faithful is what keep me going they don't they don't shy away from us when we do bad or good they always with they always with us but I just want we just wanted to show the Gate of faith faithful that you know that we actually have this team and the things that we preach about we can actually put that on tape and give them and perform and perform for them so that was just the main thing just getting back and just getting our confidence back just elaborating on this a little bit more just how difficult was the last week after the Miami loss and how important was it to kind of wipe the Slate cleaning it was it was difficult it was difficult night it was difficult the next day and it was difficult the next day but the things about the thing about this game it'll it'll be diffic it would be difficult regardless cuz you got to be able to handle success and you got to be able to handle the failure as well so it was difficult but I feel like we kind of picked our we picked ourselves up and we said you know we dust ourselves off and we said we know what you know what that's not us and that's not a reflection of the Brandon football we play that's not a reflection of our effort and that's not a reflection of our execution um when you go now after this when the locker room is going to be amped up I'm sure the locker room was amped up um how does that go into playing an SEC team next week against A&M um as far as like just us like energy like as a as a unit now like that you've gotten this win and like the momentum pushing forward oh yeah it's it's it gave us Mo it's givv us momentum but I know we we we're going to be realistic with ourselves we're going to enjoy this win obviously but we're going to be realistic with ourselves and and fix the things we need to fix and and tighten the bolts in places where we need to tighten the blls at because we understand it's better competi ition ahead and we're going to have to we're going to have to take 10 steps forward in order to be able to prepare to compete against those guys so we understand that and I think we going to we going to let this be confidence we going to let this boost us and we're going to enjoy this for Theon night but when we when we when our head comes off that pillow in the morning it's going to be a whole different mindset and I think everybody understands that from the leadership standpoint all the way down to the to the younger guys so he comes off that pillow I tell you you're good man so so when you see your coach under fire the way he's been I know you guys really like Billy you like how he's worked with you guys and what he instills and to see him under Fire like that and people I mean wanting them gone I mean does that like I mean you got fired up when people pick to finish 12th but does that does that kind of motivate and anger you guys a little bit and fire you up when you're seeing that yeah yes of course it fires us up because we we believe in everything he in everything he has told us and honestly he has never lied to me he has never lied to this team we so we believe in the work we believe in him and we believe in what he pushes and I think that what he pushes is is a great thing and it is and it can get a success but I think us as players has to do our part we got to we got to be better in certain areas and I think we took accountability this week but now it's time to take action like you saw what the accountability did out there now you going to see what the action is going to be leading up to next week in the way we prepar like obviously everybody's going to have something bad to say we're the Gators everybody's going to have something bad to say when you're up and everybody's going to have something bad to say when you're down so regardless of that it is what it is honestly Billy mentioned that uh George gums was a walk-on receiver and a tight end and a defensive end man G money what what has it been like what has he brought uh to to y'all's room and and can you believe that he was a former receiver the way he gets after the quarterback now oh man G he's like one of the lights in my day man he's one of the most purest people you can ever me but the kid works so hard I call him I call him the Avenger because he is literally built like an Avenger I you if you see him take his shirt off you would think he was probably in the penitentiary for about a few years but the kid the kid just works that hard and and when he came in he came in he came in ready to learn he came in ready to soak in and and what he's done from from when he got here to now it's it's incredible and I love that dude because he comes in every day ready to work he's trying to find some ways to get better and and I kind of I kind of know his journey know his story where he came from at uh NIU and how that how that went for him and where he's at now man it's incredible the kids he's a he's a freaking nature he's I call him a superhero he's an Avenger so and congratulations as well congratulations man on the baby girl Tyreek you mentioned um you know obviously you guys get the turnover um first drive of the game just talk about is that when things immediately then just switched for the defense getting that you know getting the fumble first Force fumble of the Season it was it that was that was like a great thing but I feel like this defense what I love about us we're never satisfied and we like like things like that happen and we kind of almost put it not not like put it behind us but we kind of almost forget about it in a way because we want more we understand we can do so much more we can be so much more dominant we just have to continue to get to understand each other to continue to work together as a defense and I think tonight was a great stepping stone to doing that and I and I and I know this week we going to work our tails off to to um pull this one uh get ready to pull this one off on uh Saturday so like this defense is is hungry and that's why I love about them they're never satisfied and we always want more so that's just the big thing and that's what I love about this team this and then um you mentioned obviously started with DJ um you know firing really on all cylinders especially in the second half um just talk about as a defense you know you guys get a stop and then all of a sudden you know the offense is building the lead especially compared to last week where you know it was almost the opposite just I guess uplifting was it for for the unit to see that yes it was uplifting and uh um I feel like you going to a game like this I always tell my guys I tell the whole team don't disappoint them a team uh like that is coming in here and they know it's about to happen but you can't disappoint them though because when you disappoint them you give teams like that hope and then like I don't want a team like that walking away from here even have a thought in your mind you only you you can't have a thought in your mind that you can beat me in your dreams when you wake up I don't care who you look at like no I want you to like be like I could never ever beat them no matter what I did so I always tell the guys like you know it's expected what you like you know nobody walked nobody not one fan walked out there was worried about us failing or losing unless you wanted us to lose but other than that yeah uh Tyreek do I don't know if you SE him but there's a video that was posted a couple days ago of you looking into your locker room or into your locker after the loss to Miami it kind of seems like especially right now with your answer that you take these things very personally you take F football very personally that said what kind of went differently into this week with your preparation into heading into this game uh I think being more calmer like cuz I am a very I'm a very high Tempo exciting guy and I think calming everything down and kind of just wait until I get to the game to kind of round myself up but I of course like I love this game and I love my brothers it's more so like the football is one part like I like football I love my team like and that's just the honest of God truth and I I want to do my best to to make sure I put something out there that they can be proud of and I want to be somebody that they can trust and they can be like when I'm on the field with sou he's going to give me his all and he's going to make sure he take care of is having gone against both quarterbacks throughout practice the spring and the fall just how potent do you think this offense can be utiliz in both Graham and DJ I say pick your poison pick your poison you want to get bit by you want to get bit by Rattlesnake or you want to get bit by a king cobra pick your poison either way I think you're going to die you may be the best quot on the team man all right guys joined by DJ we'll start with yeah good to meet you this nice to meet yeah quite a debut there uh Billy's talked about just the way you kind of rise to the occasion what what was your kind of mindset going in the game and how how do you feel you performed you know my mindset was just you know take advantage of the opportunity you know to go out there compete with some heck of a players around me you know I feel like the preparation that like coach O'Hare coach nap even Graham you know they helped me a lot with just making sure I was prepared so that was good mhm um of all those deep throws which one stands out in your mind cuz there were several very good ones I'd say the one uh tank Hawkins you know that's like one of my my best friends here so it was like that was a surreal moment to get our first touchdown together so it was pretty cool awesome all right we'll go to Nick to your right d the U the touchdown you threw to um myelle um can you just walk me through that play because it kind of broke down a little bit and it looked like you were going to take off and run but you kept your eyes down field and uh just seems a lot of arm Talent there to get that ball off off balance and get it out there yes sir you know just with that play you know just trust in my receiver my man's better than their man you know that was the biggest thing we've been working since January you know so I have trust in Aiden and among all my other receivers so yeah you got to run out of the tunnel last week but does it feel different running out when when you're the starting quarterback what what were the two different feelings you had running out of the tunnel this week and then last week you know it was a it was a big difference you know I was like really nervous you know I was so it was pretty cool to experience kind of both sides of it so it was fun yeah uh DJ obviously there was just tremendous amount of hype in the swamp today I I'm sure you heard the DJ lague chance Midway through the game just what is all that mean to you just all the excitement that you've generated among the Florida fan base just what does all this mean as you see it translate directly onto the field as soon as you take take over you know first off without God none of that would have been possible you know the performance I had you know without my old lineman blocking for me you know without the the the leaders and the veteran guys you know being there for me telling me that they got me whatever goes happen good or bad you know I feel like that was something big you know my receivers making plays you know defense they they played their butts off you know the first half even in the whole game really you know so I feel like this the whole team aspect and whole team effort came to play today and then um finish the day with uh 456 yards top 10 all time for a single game performance for the Gator did it cross your mind at any point that you were having a record-breaking performance or were you just locked into the task at hand you know I was just locked into at the task at hand you know my coaches telling me one play at a time you know that's what it is you know just executing One play at a time you know just getting my guys involved you know just getting everybody involved with the ball you know that's the biggest thing hi DJ um the difference obviously you kind of came in last week in the end that got a touchdown in uh one of your drives and you're starting this week and uh you know does it take a while to to really get used to what you've been practicing all week I mean last week was only a small sample size I mean when did you really feeling comfortable out there today or was it right from the start it was I say it was right from the start you know I feel like coach Napier prepared us he got us prepared you know I feel like it's like that every week like even Miami I feel like he prepared us a lot you know I just feel like everything that they did we knew what they were going to do before they did did it you know I feel like it was just preparation DJ sort of on that note do you think the getting that little bit of playing time last week leading on the you know leading the team on the touchdown Drive how much did that help you know you feeling ready right from the getg go today you know that that definitely helped my confidence you know I just you know wanted to feel out how it felt to get tackled in college you know and just see how it is on the field with like the crowd noise you know 90,000 in the stand like I never had that in high school so just wanted to see how it was and then after that first and second play you know just to feeling like okay I can really do this that was definitely a big confidence booster okay um you know we talked about the touchdowns to to t to Aiden you know Elijah obviously had the long catch really did a great job of getting you know the receivers involved was that something that you were going to try to you know during the week we're thinking that you really wanted to do or it just sort of worked out that way you know it just sort of worked out that way you know I feel like I got a great relationship with every guy I know what they want I know what they like what routes they like the best and I feel like that just comes with the relationship I have with those guys individually go to right gr coach Napier has said multiple times that one of the best things for your development was Graham Merz deciding to come back just how much do you credit him with the progress you've made already I know it's only been eight months and how involved was he today in in helping you through what you were seeing out there man G is the best thing that could have ever happened to me you know him being here you know just learning from a veteran player as himself you know it's just been amazing to learn and just see how to do things right you know and that's just he's a true professional and that's what I want to be when I get older DJ take us through the first throw to Elijah on the out and up uh you kind of had the the defense moving really where you wanted them so you had your pick of where you wanted to go but just what kind of made you kind of just kind of take your time and and let it go to Elijah you know early in the game like that you know just really following my rules you know each play has rules to it following progressions you know and that was on the progression first on the progression so might as well take it go to Jacob to your right DJ what what you learned about yourself this week you know what I learned about myself is that uh really that that's a great question what I learned about myself myself is really just that I could adapt to you know anything you know just be ready for any opportunity that comes my way you know I've never been put in a situation like this before like where things could just flip like this so but it's a blessing you know I feel like I learned so much this week and you know it's been a lot of battle testing this week and it's been it's been good though DJ on that note uh Billy told us you've been dealing with an injury and it had held you back a little bit in practice how difficult was that to go through wanting to get all the Reps that you could but having to wait until you could get that green light yeah that was really difficult that definitely was messing with my mental a little bit you know I had my it was something I had a little something going on before the Miami game with my shoulder you know so it was just like just got to be ready for my opportunity and I wasn't going to let a shoulder you know lose that opportunity so I just feel like I just got to stay getting healthy and just you know continue to get better and just working on my feet working reps and stuff like that and I know that you said uh you know during I think Under Armour week that you coming in with the mindset to start you know that that that was your goal and if it didn't work out that way you would play whatever role now that you've gotten this opportunity is that something that you still want to keep chasing and obviously the decision will be up to coach but how does that change your mindset now moving forward you know I just want to do what's best for the team whatever the team needs me to do that's what I'm willing to do you know I got to carry the ball how many times whatever I got to do that's what to do to get wins on the column that's what I got to do so yeah to Kevin yeah uh you know it's been a whirlwind been here you got to meet EMT Smith uh you know I know in January and so forth and I've really been on campus you know for close to a year now what what have you done to try to stay grounded and and how has that development process been to kind of prepare you for this moment yeah you know it's just you know stay grounded you know as a kid you know I've always been taught what God gives he can also take so you know I just definitely stay humble you know and give God all the glory because without him I'm nothing and you know that's just the biggest thing with me so I just give him all the glory because I know that's where my source and Power is coming from um to we talked about the fans uh cheering you on but how was that locker room when you first came in and everyone supporting you on a great night and a successful night and it's a blessing you know to have such a great Supporting Cast that's my teammates around me you know they've seen me at my lows they've seen me at my highs you know so it's been great to you know just see them rally behind me this week and just you know just see the leadership from the veteran guys you know to come around me and support me been amazing on your right um next week Texas A&M uh College you're probably very familiar with uh right down the road just what would that mean to to go up and face a school that you've probably seen play a hundred times it's going to be fun you know it's going to be a surreal moment you know I just I'm just excited for that moment yeah it's gonna be fun to be to put him in the swamp you know it's gonna be fun so obviously there's a lot of hype a lot going on around you right now but it's easy to forget that you're just a true freshman that just stepped foot onto campus a few months ago how have you just been able to take all this in so quickly and just apply everything that you've learned onto the field and into the locker room just right away you know I say my coaches you know my coaches been hard on me since day one you know they've molded me you know and they're continue gonna continue to coach me hard and that's what I love about Coach nap and his staff man they're gonna coach me hard they're gonna make sure I'm getting better each and every day they're not going to let no nothing little slip by none of that so that's what I love about that yeah thanks DJ appreciate you on that note DJ during your recruitment you could have went anywhere in the country you decided to come here and you stayed solid throughout your decision why were you so firm to Florida and what is it about Napier and this staff has made you want to be here you know really there two things you know coach Napier of course you know and the fan base and the fan base has showed me love since day one you know so I you know I'm I'm a gator through and through so yeah D appreciate you go Gaters thank you congratulations