UK Football: Players’ TaxSlayer Bowl News Conference Quotes
Kentucky Football
Bowl Announcement Press Conference
Dec. 5, 2016
Commonwealth Stadium – Lexington, Ky.
UK Player Quotes
Jon Toth, Senior Center
On the excitement of making a bowl game …
“We’re all excited to go to the great city of Jacksonville and we’re happy that the Taxslayer Bowl considered us and our administration worked their tails off to try and get us in a great spot. We’re just appreciative of the opportunity. I think any time you’re in a different city with all your teammates – it’s pretty fun to just be together. It will be exciting.”
On how the extra practices will be beneficial to this team moving forward …
“It’s super beneficial. It’s 15 more practices that we haven’t had in the past years so it’s valuable time the coaches get to spend with us and we get to use it to develop so it’s very valuable.”
On if he’s had a chance to let everything sink in yet …
“We’ve had a little time off these last two weeks to focus on other things and kind of get a little break. But, now it’s time to start preparing for the game ahead of us.”
On his invitation to the Reese’s Senior Bowl …
“It was pretty exciting. It’s a great bowl game to go to, but the forethought for me right now is just getting prepared for the TaxSlayer Bowl. We are really excited about that.”
C.J. Conrad, Sophomore Tight End
On when Mitch Barnhart met with the team to tell them their destination …
“It was last week. When he sat down and told us, we were all very excited because we didn’t know. We only know as much as you guys do, so when he told us that, we were pretty excited.”
On how excited the team is to be going to Florida …
“Very excited. We have a lot of guys from Ohio on the team and up north, so it’s exciting to see how excited the guys who get to go home and see their families and everyone will get to play in their home state – so I’m excited for them.”
On Stephen Johnson as the quarterback and his poise …
“He’s actually that way off the field and in person as well. He’s just a calm, cool kid and I think we all just gravitate towards that. I think he calms us all down and I think that’s why he’s been so good for us.”
On how Stephen Johnson stepped in and led UK to seven wins …
“He has done a great job. With how he handled that situation, he couldn’t have done it much better. He just got better every single game. He got better with the whole team and we just started to grow with him and that’s why it took off so well.”
Blake McClain, Senior Defensive Back
On finding out about the bowl game selection …
“Twitter. That’s how I found out. We also have a football group message with all of the DB’s so that’s how I learned.”
On his initial reaction to playing in Jacksonville …
“We kind of had an idea, but when we found out it was Jacksonville we were mostly excited about the warm weather.”
On describing the team’s excitement …
“Ecstatic. That’s the word I’m going to use – ecstatic. Also, blessed because I haven’t been to a bowl game in four years and Kentucky hasn’t been to one in six years. So, we’re just grateful for the opportunity.”
On mood on campus after victory over Louisville …
“It was good to walk around with our heads held high. I’ve been here four years and we’ve never beaten Louisville, so to make it to a bowl game and beat Louisville in one year is really good.”
On still being excited from Louisville victory …
“We’re not going to come down from it until next season. We’re just enjoying it, that’s what it is. It’s hard to get to a bowl game in the SEC so we’re just enjoying it.”
JoJo Kemp, Senior Running Back
On being a UK football player since Louisville win …
“It’s been great. This is what we’ve been working so hard for. Especially me, I wanted to see the change in the program. So to see us take that step forward is just an awesome feeling and you can tell that everyone is excited and happy to have the Governor’s Cup back in Lexington. It just feels good to top off everything that I wanted to do for my senior year. It’s an awesome feeling, especially with having the bowl game in Florida, that’s a plus. I’m just in heaven right now, you don’t even understand.”
On how to spend down time in Jacksonville …
“The first stop everyone is talking about is the beach. We want to get these Lexington folks’ feet in the sand and show them how we’re feeling. We’ll make sure we catch a view of the beach and everything else will take care of itself.”
On the fans waiting for the team in Lexington after Louisville win …
“I was on the mic for a little bit on stage hyping the crowd up, but it was great. Everyone was filled with joy and everyone was just excited. As I said before, I came here to be a part of change and just to see that take place and see guys happy – it was a wonderful feeling. I’m happy to say I was a part of change and I want this program to keep taking strides forward.”
