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(On the quarterback) "We saw the first part of the season when he was a starter. Opening games are hard anyway as far as what style of offense or defense you'll be seeing. I think it'll take time to adjust to whatever they're doing. He's a fine football player and a big strong guy that throws the ball very well."

(On starting the season against lesser opponents) "That's one of those flip of the coins. I think the summer goes a lot better when you have a tough team. We've played the Syracuse and UCLA's in the opener in my time at Tennessee, and everybody knows how fast they gotta go. You don't have a couple easier games to prepare and correct mistakes. From where we are as a young football team, in a lot of places, this year you'd probably would like to have a couple that's lesser than what Cal is. You just never know when you make those schedules so far in advance."

(On why he loves college football) "The sincerity of the college player, the enjoyment, the passion that fills the fan base because there's a personal attachment to the school, to the state, to those people. While college football takes place, there's maturing that happens with the college player. He has to balance school, football, and social life for the first time as he leaves home and is on his own. I think college football and college time is a very special and unique time frame in everybody's life. I think its celebrated most by college football."

(On the defensive coordinator) "We hadn't changed a whole lot on defense. We're still pretty similar to what we've been. We've made a few changes personnel wise; we've made a few changes with the type of philosophy that we've got. We still want to be a technique defense that's going to be strong verses a running game. Will Mushamp's got a lot of enthusiasm. We might have hit a little bit of a lull last year, and not played as consistent as we would've liked. We got a lot of young faces on the team that will make mistakes. Again, we'll look to the naked eye pretty much like we've looked the last two years. We'll be aggressive at times and sometimes we won't."

(On receiving a "hero's welcome" in Gainesville) "I hadn't really put a whole bunch of thought into it. My thought is on all these ball plays I'm trying to get ready to call against Mississippi State tomorrow night. Friday and Saturday, I'll start thinking about seeing our players from the ninety-six team. That's probably the biggest reason I want to get back there. Getting a big ovation is not the highlight of coming back. Seeing those players on the ninety-six team is certainly one of the big reasons I'm coming back

(On the younger players) "We really return most of our offensive performers from last year. Offensively I believe we'll play better than last year. Defensively, we return one starter. There'll be a lot of new guys. Hopefully they'll represent themselves, our university, and the team well, and play like they're capable."

(On being known as South Carolina's coach) "After a few years here hopefully it'll settle in. I feel an excellent rapport with fans here. They've been wonderful towards me, my coaching staff, and players. I think we have a sellout for every home game here. The fans have shown to be very appreciative. What I did at Florida is history. I left and they got an excellent coach. The challenge up here is probably what's best for me right now, and fortunately I'm here."

(On Mikey Henderson's position change) "We decided the day before spring practice to move him and that wasn't very smart because we could have had him in a bunch of meetings all along. Finally before spring we thought it would be a good move for him. I talked to him the day before practice and he agreed to do it and was excited about it. I told him it would be kind of a test; we wouldn't make it a permanent move. We figured if he learned what to do at receiver he wouldn't forget what to do at corner, and he could provide depth on our team because of his versatility. But after about the third or fourth practice, it was very obvious that it was his home. He was the best playmaker of all of our receivers in the spring. That's when we said for sure he's staying put. It's been good for him and good for us too."

(On quarterback Joe Tereshinski) "He's done a great job. Joe had to win this thing with a lot of real competition. He's done a fantastic job of competing, and holding off the younger players. To his credit he deserves a start. We need to rally around him and help him succeed. I'm proud of him, his attitude, his work ethic."

(On college football) "I was fifteen years coaching in NFL and came back here. There's something different about college football and the atmosphere on game day with the students, with the band. It keeps you young, it's healthy. Obviously there's a lot of excitement here at our school with football, and to get the opportunity to play for a national championship is exciting."

(On the team's confidence) "I think we're ready to play. I just won't know until tomorrow night. I think we feel good about ourselves. They've invested a lot of hard work preparing for this game and this season."

(On wide receiver Earl Bennett) "He's a natural player. He's naturally strong and fast. He seems to have a knack of turning small plays to big plays. The great thing about Earl is he doesn't have much of an ego. He's a team player. Whatever he can do to help a team, he's ready to do it and doesn't expect any praise for it either."

(How the Michigan game came about) "We were approached by ESPN to play the game with Michigan. We had a game scheduled at home in our stadium, and they approached us about playing at Michigan on ESPN. Finally when we decided to play the game, I think everybody got extremely excited about it. The players were certainly fired up. It gives them a spurt to work harder in the off-season. It certainly has their attention in the preseason."

(Changes in Southern Cal's scheme) "Only difference I see is they have a new defensive coordinator. Offensively I see the same things. They have a good scheme and excellent wide receivers. The backs, maybe not familiar with their names, but you know they're Parade All-Americans and tremendous high school players. Defensively, that's where they're strongest. There're seven to eight starters back, linebackers are deep, defensive ends are quick. They'll run and hit you."

(On Pac-10 and SEC match-ups) "They're two great conferences, coaches, and talents. The Pac-10 boasts about their offensive line, the SEC boasts about their defense. When they get together it's usually some great match-ups."

(On Lamar Mills) "Lamar was elected captain of defensive unit. He was missed last year. He had a great game against Louisville before being injured late in the fourth quarter. He's gone through a lot with his home and family (in New Orleans), as well as going through off-season surgery. He's not only a good player, but also a bright player. He's working on his Master's degree and he's going to help us a great deal."

(On instant replay) "I don't have any big complaint about it. I think anything that involves instant replay is a way to hopefully get the obvious bad call out of the game. I think a lot of folks aren't happy with the coach's challenge. I feel better about have the opportunity to have the game shut down and the replay crew get an opportunity to look at every view."