9/29: Gators players, coaches speak to media

A number of Florida Gators players spoke to the media on Wednesday as the team takes a look back on its 48-14 home victory over the Kentucky Wildcats and ahead to its match-up against the No. 1/1 Alabama Crimson Tide on the road on Saturday.

Linebackers and special teams coach D.J. Durkin, redshirt senior running back Emmanuel Moody, sophomore right tackle Xavier Nixon and redshirt freshman LB Jelani Jenkins all had plenty to say…which you can read after the break!

LB/ST COACH DURKIN
On senior defensive end Duke Lemmens playing some linebacker: “Duke’s one of those guys, he’s just a football player. We could probably put him in just about anywhere and he’d end up around the ball somewhere and do a good job.”

On Kentucky’s fake field goal: “We were late getting our own substitutions on the field, so we weren’t paying attention to their substitutions. We missed it. That’s on the coaches on the sideline and up in the box. All together that’s something we always watch, but we were late getting guys in and out. We were more worried about us having 11 on the field before we saw that the play was run.”

On if Kentucky had 12 players in the huddle: “It’s hard to tell from the video. We can’t prove one way or another if there was.”

On if the fake field goal was a good play: “No comment on that. Obviously it was a good play for them and they scored a touchdown on it. So we gotta be prepared for that.”

RB MOODY
On his health: “I’m good right now. I feel really healthy. It’s probably the healthiest I’ve been all season.”

On junior RB Jeff Demps‘ status: “We really expect him to be back, but if he’s not there then we’ll carry the load.”

On freshman QB Trey Burton: “He’s probably one of the most mature freshmen on the team right now. He’s just a great kid. I love spending time with him. We spent a lot of time [together] this summer. He’s a really good friend and a really good teammate to be around. I can’t say enough about him. He’s the real deal with his character and his performance on the field. He’s great on and off the field.”

RT NIXON
On Alabama week practice: “It’s intense every week. We attack every week the same way. We’re playing Florida ball and that’s all we know how to do – play Florida ball.”

On protecting redshirt junior QB John Brantley: “It’s very important but it’s easy at the same time because he has trust in us. I just feel comfortable with him sitting back in the pocket and he knows I’m going to do my job and I know he’s going to do his.”

LB JENKINS
On trying to stop Heisman Trophy winning RB Mark Ingram: “That’s not really what’s motivating me right now. We’re just trying to get to 5-0, we’re just trying to get one step closer to Atlanta and a championship.”