Tennessee football went into The Swamp and handled business against Florida on Saturday. Behind a quick start, the Vols downed the Gators 31-11 to end an over 20-year losing streak in Gainesville.
After the game, Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar met with the media to give his thoughts. He was asked about conducting the band, why the offense had success and more.
Here’s what he said.
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On being a big part of the first win at Florida since 2003
“Man, it’s awesome to know how much it means to the program and the community, Tennessee, Knoxville. To go out there and play how we played and pretty much dominate the whole game and to know everybody is excited and happy for the fans and stuff is a good feeling.”
On falling on his own fumble
“Just dropped back. Dude made a play. Was trying to throw it downfield and he got me as I was winding out to throw the ball. Luckily, I didn’t fall down. He tried to strip it and go on from there. But I just followed the ball, it got kicked, dude tried to jump on it and it got kicked and fell into my hands. I was just glad to hop back on the ball.”
On why they were able to start so fast
“Just went back to details and execution. Our biggest thing is starting fast and finishing. We had a great week of preparation, great week of practice and everybody was dialed in and wanted to make a statement. We haven’t won here in a while, but this team hasn’t played here. We went out there today and played as a team and dominated the whole game.”
On why he Gator chomped
“I think that’s just something mandatory. If you win here, you got to.”
On conducting the band
“It was awesome, I felt like I was in drumline, the leader. He asked me if I wanted to do it. I didn’t know what I was doing. He just told me to follow the guy next to me and it was pretty cool. It was fun.”
On Star Thomas’ big third down run
“I just saw him break, I was super excited. We just tried to hurry up and get a play in. Obviously, they stopped the play, but when you watch it, he was down. I’m just back there enjoying it. He’s breaking a 50-yard tug so I’m just trying to make sure he gets in.”
On the run game being successful, the o-line
“They controlled and they dominated up front. From the start to finish. Run game was working, don’t stop, man. They controlled from the first play to the last. Credit to those guys cause they grind every day. They got a lot that they have to deal with. They came out here, worked hard. Running backs ran hard. Tight ends, receivers all contributed in that run game, as well, blocking who they need to block. Congrats to those guys and I might have to buy them some more food.”
On Tennessee fans making the trip
“It’s awesome. Like I said earlier, how much it means to the program and the fans to come down here and finally leave with a win. Last time I think was like 2003 or something like that. It’s wild. Like I said earlier, this team hasn’t played here. We came here with a mindset that we could get it done and we did.”
On correcting mistakes
“Just alignment, assignment, keys and techinique. We go out there and sometimes we miss a little bit of those things. We got set-backs and it’s just those things that we can fix on ourselves. Nothing major. Like I said earlier, we had a great week of preparation and we dialed into those things and we went out there and executed.”
On meeting former Vols QB Casey Clausen
“I met him a little earlier in the season. Awesome guy. It’s kind of cool that last time we won was with him. Two California guys. It was awesome. We had a conversation for a little while after practice one day. He’s a great guy and I’m excited I can fall into the category he did.”
On what they talked about
“We kind of just talked about other stuff. We talked about football a little bit, but just meeting each other. Kids were there, so I introduced myself to the kids. We just had a regular conversation.”
On the play of TE Ethan Davis
“Big. With Kits out, he had a role to step in and play how he played. He played great tonight. Super involved in the run game. And as you can see, he’s an athlete. He can go out there and run routes and make catches. To have a guy like that that can play both, hard for a defense to know what he’s going to do.”
On his plans for next season
“I still got the same answer. I’m just gonna finish out this year and see what happens.”
