Troy University Athletics
Troy Quotes post-FAU
Jerrel Jernigan
On winning a share of the Sun Belt Conference championship
It feels very good. Our fourth in a row, my third in a row. It feels good to do it on our field so we can celebrate with our fans and our family.
I feel really good. Like I said before it feels good to come out and clinch on our home field and celebrate with our fans, teammates and family.
On whether he was in the long catch that was ruled out at the 1-yard line
I think I was in. I think they screwed me on that one. I'll be ok with it. I gave it up for a senior to get a touchdown. I'm alright with that.
On the performance of the Troy offense
We are just on all cylinders right now. All the receivers are catching the ball. You can't double one of us because one of us will be open. DB's have to play man up and hopefully I get open.
On whether Saturday's performance had anything to do with the opponent
Not really. We probably would have done that against anybody we played in this conference. We just have to get our mind set on what we want to do and go out and do it.
On which bowl game he would prefer
It doesn't matter where we go. It doesn't matter. We will play wherever we go.
Tebiarus Gill
On his performance on Saturday night
Just get open. We have been practicing all week with a guy inside of me and just practiced good releases. I did what I had to do in practice and did it in a game.
On the Trojans' fourth-straight conference title
It means everything. That's all we have been working on since the offseason. We are finally here and we are going to New Orleans, hopefully, or a better bowl.
On the performance of Troy's offense
It's great when you have Levi back there throwing it, picking who he wants to throw it to and getting open.
On the solid performance of Levi Brown
He's in the zone, as you can say. He practiced with a back injury and came out strong and showed up like he always does.
On his bounce-back week
I really tried to practice really hard this whole week and it showed up in the game.
On the team's performance thus far
This year we just focused on our seniors and made sure they won their fourth conference, which is what we did. I'm just happy we are going back to New Orleans.
Larry Blakeney
On his feelings post-game
My mind is immediately popping straight to the celebration of a great win, another championship, at least a share, and another bowl bid for this program. This win is bittersweet a little bit because you are happy for all we have been able to do together, because you know those guys won't be back for another year. Some of them will go on to maybe careers in football, but most of them will all graduate and go on to other things in life.
On his team's performance
Just about everything worked early. Levi was certainly on target. I was a little worried about him because he had a bruise on his back and you never know how that will effect a guy throwing the football with as many times as we throw it. Jerrel and company all made some catches for him and plays. Jerrel does so much nad exerts so much energy that you worry about it. We've got a lot of guys that are putting for effort - unified effort - to make it go. We really were pretty three phase in the first half. We played pretty good defensively, but gave up one big run and then of course scored with the football and really took the momentum at halftime. Something we talked a lot about was going into the half and out of the half. I'm really proud of these kids and these coaches. They have done a fabulous job and make me look good. I collect a lot of the kudos, but those guys are the ones that do all the work. They are great coaches that know their game and they are great mentors and recruits to go with it all. I'm proud of this staff.
On his feelings about winning another championship
We've got several rings that we have been able to accumulate. I hardly ever wear a ring. You guys will hardly ever see me with anything on other than my wedding band. Its good to have and we are very happy and very pleased. We'll be in the vacation period and working more in the middle of the day. We will be trying to make this time for them a good time and get them ready to win a game at the same time.
On Troy's bowl destination
I'm not in that decision making or prognosticating place. As far as I'm concerned we just accepted a bid to the New Orleans Bowl by whipping FAU. If anything else is different it will come from the top - from Dr. Hawkins or from Steve Dennis or the commissioner or whoever. I know what makes a good trip for the players - period. That's New Orleans. I'll be in for the players and I know that is what Dr. Hawkins and Steve are about too. They are going to make all those decisions though. We are just going to try to get ready to play Lafayette. We could be the first nine-win I-A team at Troy and then a win in a bowl could make it 10. That sets the bar pretty high.
On whether this is Troy's best team ever
I like this team. There are some things we talk about that we need. We have sort of built offensively from guys that grew into position. We don't use them as much as many some folks think we need to. We rely on a lot of formations because we are spread team. That gives us some flexibility.
On how he will celebrate the championship
I'm going to half a good time with my wife, girls and three granddaughters and hopefully my coaches. Tomorrow we are going to give our guys a little leave time, then get back together on Monday morning. It is fun to take a little time though to enjoy the fruits of victory.
Levi Brown
On winning a fourth-straight conference title
It feels great, obviously. Its our goal from the beginning of the year to win the Sun Belt and we did that tonight. I thought we played really well on both sides of the ball and special teams too. It's a really good team win for us.
On team's performance tonight
I thought the offensive line did a great job. I really had all day to sit back and look for open guys. They gave me tons of time. They were the big part for me having so much success. I get all the credit for making all the throws, but they really should get it.
On his personal performance
I had no idea. I knew I was close because when we came back from halftime I had three-something, but I had no idea what I was at really.
On his health
I missed practice on Monday. I was out there, but I didn't really do a whole lot. The rest of the week, I was practicing. I played through it. It's fine.
On added importance in playing FAU
You know coach made us very aware that they were the last team to come in and beat us at home. We haven't lost a game at home since then. They came in and took the conference title from us. We still got a share, but they went to New Orleans over us. We had that in the back of our heads.
On the feeling from the win
It feels really good, especially to win it convincingly.
On his bowl preference
I hope so. If we go to New Orleans it will be three times in four years. I enjoyed going to New Orleans. Hopefully, if we go this year we can get a win.
I don't care. Anything is fine with me as long as it's a bowl game.
On his record-breaking performance
cool. It's a fun thing to do. It's not a huge deal to me really. I've had a lot of people come tell me that they will mean a lot more to me later when I'm older than they do right now and that is probably the case. I don't really dwell on it and think about it a whole lot.
On possibly going undefeated in Sun Belt play
That would be great. We've never done that before, so we would be the first team to do it. We would be the first division I Troy team to win nine games. Those are goals that we have that we would like to do.
Bear Woods
On Troy's win over FAU
It was like a story book. Right here in front of the home crowd. It was a convincing win against FAU, our rival.
That was exactly what we wanted, to leave no doubt. We wanted to beat a team like FAU and do it with class. That is what Troy football is about, winning with class. To beat a team like that means a lot.
On the mood on the field between the two teams
That was probably the most non-chippy FAU game I've been in. I think that was because we established who the was team right from the get-go. We made them lay down.
On winning another Sun Belt championship
It's awesome. I've not been on a championship football team and I've been playing full-pad football for 17 years. To be on this finally at college and I think the Lord blessed me and it finally paid off.
On the importance of doing it against FAU
We allowed them to come in here and beat us. We weren't going to allow that to happen. Thankfully, they made some comments to really heat that up. They can think about that on their way home.
On his bowl preference
New Orleans Bowl. That's what we always think about all year. Its like your parents telling you that you are going to Wally World all the time, then at the end they try to switch it up and take you go to Six Flags. You aren't going to like that too much. We want New Orleans. I do.
On winning a share of the Sun Belt Conference championship
It feels very good. Our fourth in a row, my third in a row. It feels good to do it on our field so we can celebrate with our fans and our family.
I feel really good. Like I said before it feels good to come out and clinch on our home field and celebrate with our fans, teammates and family.
On whether he was in the long catch that was ruled out at the 1-yard line
I think I was in. I think they screwed me on that one. I'll be ok with it. I gave it up for a senior to get a touchdown. I'm alright with that.
On the performance of the Troy offense
We are just on all cylinders right now. All the receivers are catching the ball. You can't double one of us because one of us will be open. DB's have to play man up and hopefully I get open.
On whether Saturday's performance had anything to do with the opponent
Not really. We probably would have done that against anybody we played in this conference. We just have to get our mind set on what we want to do and go out and do it.
On which bowl game he would prefer
It doesn't matter where we go. It doesn't matter. We will play wherever we go.
Tebiarus Gill
On his performance on Saturday night
Just get open. We have been practicing all week with a guy inside of me and just practiced good releases. I did what I had to do in practice and did it in a game.
On the Trojans' fourth-straight conference title
It means everything. That's all we have been working on since the offseason. We are finally here and we are going to New Orleans, hopefully, or a better bowl.
On the performance of Troy's offense
It's great when you have Levi back there throwing it, picking who he wants to throw it to and getting open.
On the solid performance of Levi Brown
He's in the zone, as you can say. He practiced with a back injury and came out strong and showed up like he always does.
On his bounce-back week
I really tried to practice really hard this whole week and it showed up in the game.
On the team's performance thus far
This year we just focused on our seniors and made sure they won their fourth conference, which is what we did. I'm just happy we are going back to New Orleans.
Larry Blakeney
On his feelings post-game
My mind is immediately popping straight to the celebration of a great win, another championship, at least a share, and another bowl bid for this program. This win is bittersweet a little bit because you are happy for all we have been able to do together, because you know those guys won't be back for another year. Some of them will go on to maybe careers in football, but most of them will all graduate and go on to other things in life.
On his team's performance
Just about everything worked early. Levi was certainly on target. I was a little worried about him because he had a bruise on his back and you never know how that will effect a guy throwing the football with as many times as we throw it. Jerrel and company all made some catches for him and plays. Jerrel does so much nad exerts so much energy that you worry about it. We've got a lot of guys that are putting for effort - unified effort - to make it go. We really were pretty three phase in the first half. We played pretty good defensively, but gave up one big run and then of course scored with the football and really took the momentum at halftime. Something we talked a lot about was going into the half and out of the half. I'm really proud of these kids and these coaches. They have done a fabulous job and make me look good. I collect a lot of the kudos, but those guys are the ones that do all the work. They are great coaches that know their game and they are great mentors and recruits to go with it all. I'm proud of this staff.
On his feelings about winning another championship
We've got several rings that we have been able to accumulate. I hardly ever wear a ring. You guys will hardly ever see me with anything on other than my wedding band. Its good to have and we are very happy and very pleased. We'll be in the vacation period and working more in the middle of the day. We will be trying to make this time for them a good time and get them ready to win a game at the same time.
On Troy's bowl destination
I'm not in that decision making or prognosticating place. As far as I'm concerned we just accepted a bid to the New Orleans Bowl by whipping FAU. If anything else is different it will come from the top - from Dr. Hawkins or from Steve Dennis or the commissioner or whoever. I know what makes a good trip for the players - period. That's New Orleans. I'll be in for the players and I know that is what Dr. Hawkins and Steve are about too. They are going to make all those decisions though. We are just going to try to get ready to play Lafayette. We could be the first nine-win I-A team at Troy and then a win in a bowl could make it 10. That sets the bar pretty high.
On whether this is Troy's best team ever
I like this team. There are some things we talk about that we need. We have sort of built offensively from guys that grew into position. We don't use them as much as many some folks think we need to. We rely on a lot of formations because we are spread team. That gives us some flexibility.
On how he will celebrate the championship
I'm going to half a good time with my wife, girls and three granddaughters and hopefully my coaches. Tomorrow we are going to give our guys a little leave time, then get back together on Monday morning. It is fun to take a little time though to enjoy the fruits of victory.
Levi Brown
On winning a fourth-straight conference title
It feels great, obviously. Its our goal from the beginning of the year to win the Sun Belt and we did that tonight. I thought we played really well on both sides of the ball and special teams too. It's a really good team win for us.
On team's performance tonight
I thought the offensive line did a great job. I really had all day to sit back and look for open guys. They gave me tons of time. They were the big part for me having so much success. I get all the credit for making all the throws, but they really should get it.
On his personal performance
I had no idea. I knew I was close because when we came back from halftime I had three-something, but I had no idea what I was at really.
On his health
I missed practice on Monday. I was out there, but I didn't really do a whole lot. The rest of the week, I was practicing. I played through it. It's fine.
On added importance in playing FAU
You know coach made us very aware that they were the last team to come in and beat us at home. We haven't lost a game at home since then. They came in and took the conference title from us. We still got a share, but they went to New Orleans over us. We had that in the back of our heads.
On the feeling from the win
It feels really good, especially to win it convincingly.
On his bowl preference
I hope so. If we go to New Orleans it will be three times in four years. I enjoyed going to New Orleans. Hopefully, if we go this year we can get a win.
I don't care. Anything is fine with me as long as it's a bowl game.
On his record-breaking performance
cool. It's a fun thing to do. It's not a huge deal to me really. I've had a lot of people come tell me that they will mean a lot more to me later when I'm older than they do right now and that is probably the case. I don't really dwell on it and think about it a whole lot.
On possibly going undefeated in Sun Belt play
That would be great. We've never done that before, so we would be the first team to do it. We would be the first division I Troy team to win nine games. Those are goals that we have that we would like to do.
Bear Woods
On Troy's win over FAU
It was like a story book. Right here in front of the home crowd. It was a convincing win against FAU, our rival.
That was exactly what we wanted, to leave no doubt. We wanted to beat a team like FAU and do it with class. That is what Troy football is about, winning with class. To beat a team like that means a lot.
On the mood on the field between the two teams
That was probably the most non-chippy FAU game I've been in. I think that was because we established who the was team right from the get-go. We made them lay down.
On winning another Sun Belt championship
It's awesome. I've not been on a championship football team and I've been playing full-pad football for 17 years. To be on this finally at college and I think the Lord blessed me and it finally paid off.
On the importance of doing it against FAU
We allowed them to come in here and beat us. We weren't going to allow that to happen. Thankfully, they made some comments to really heat that up. They can think about that on their way home.
On his bowl preference
New Orleans Bowl. That's what we always think about all year. Its like your parents telling you that you are going to Wally World all the time, then at the end they try to switch it up and take you go to Six Flags. You aren't going to like that too much. We want New Orleans. I do.