Due to technical diffuculties last night, the audio from the Post Game Wrap was not the best quality. Here is a transcript of Liucci's comments following the Aggies 19-17 victory over the Gators.
Key notes from Billy Liucci during Post Game Wrap
- It’s a long way from California to Florida. I’m not talking about the miles or the time, I’m talking about how far this team has come in six weeks. The first half against the Bruins was all flash, all style, and they couldn’t finish — they didn’t have that substance. And it’s just been a gradual progression since then. Even in the loss to Alabama and even in a win where you’re tied with Nicholls State in the fourth quarter at home. They learned a little bit about themselves in the fourth quarter of that one — they dominated the fourth quarter. Down at halftime to Louisiana, down 17-7 against South Carolina, you’re down and have to tie it with no time basically against Arkansas. They have become finishers, in 3 of 4 SEC games they’ve won it in the fourth quarter in the closing moments. They noticeably outplayed Alabama in the fourth quarter. They’ve played with the necessary level of composure, poise, and physicality is the number one thing that stands out to me.
- Florida was the biggest offensive line that I’ve seen this year, bigger than Alabama, and their defensive line was great. It’s as good as any they’ll play this year outside of Alabama. They really toughened up last week. They couldn’t win that battle in the offensive trenches, but in the fourth quarter they figured out how to do enough, including those guys up front. Christian Kirk had a rough night, but he figured out how to contribute with two huge plays in the fourth quarter. Kellen Mond, what more can you say about this guy? Another tough, grind-it-out night without much help — guys dropped passes, guys weren’t getting open and he had no protection — but just like the rest of the team, Kellen hung in. For your quarterback and leader to do that, I do think there’s a trickle-down. With his poise and composure, he’s become a real leader. The guy’s had four SEC starts, and he’s 3-1 with a loss to Alabama where he made some big plays down the stretch, and he’s had three comeback victories in SEC play. He did it tonight in The Swamp in a night game which to me was one of the loudest venues I’ve ever been in.
- What can you say about Daniel LaCamera? To come out in his home state and go 4-for-4 with a long-range one, a last-minute one, I can’t say enough about the substance of this team. The toughness and physicality. That defense gave up one big play in 30 minutes of football. They had one bad defensive play in the second half.
- During that game I was thinking we’re 1-5 against Bama, 0-5 against LSU, and what Florida was doing to them was the formula for beating A&M. Be really physical up front, run the football at them and dominate them with your defense. Take away the running game and make them one-dimensional — that’s been the formula. That’s why A&M hasn’t been able to beat LSU, but tonight tells me tonight how far this program has come. Not just this season but over the last couple of years. You are now seeing a team that when they have to win by stopping the run, they can do it. Credit John Chavis and his adjustments, he has really turned around this defense. They might not be the best defense in the country, but they’re one of the most improved.
- For Dodson to make that pick and just end the game when he did was awesome. That was a bad decision by Feleipe Franks to throw that ball and it was a tremendous play by Dodson. To end that drive before it could even start was enormous. I’m so impressed with where this team has come.
- This was a game A&M needed. I know this is a tough environment and I know Florida is really, really good up front, but they needed to win this game. You can’t afford to lose a game to a team that’s as depleted as Florida is. A&M is banged up too and they’re ready for this bye week, but wins in this conference are hard to come by, and when you’re in a close one you better win it, and A&M won this one. They look like a team to be reckoned with.
- This is a top-three road win in the Sumlin era. The obvious one is Alabama in 2012 and I think the second one is Auburn.
- Damion Ratley is legitimately fast. Christian Kirk is a deep threat when they try to lock him up one-on-one. When Christian gets his opportunities I still think he’s a deep threat, but Ratley is the fastest receiver on the field and he can get behind guys on the outside. He is kind of what this team is right now. He hung in there for a long time where he was practicing well but not playing much, and now he’s getting his shot.
- Anthony Hines is coming on. That’s why we were saying at the beginning of the year that this defense should get better. Micheal Clemons had an early sack, Derrick Tucker is starting now. He’s started two games now against Alabama and Florida. Myles Jones was out there playing a lot. They should be getting better and better and Anthony Hines is a guy I’ve been really impressed with.
- Cullen Gillaspia is an NFL special teams player. He’s an athlete. This is a guy that I sit there and think he’s good enough on special teams to go to the NFL just for that, but when he’s a 26 or 27-year-old dude he might be a backup linebacker and could be really valuable. But what he is right now is what every college football team wants. He’s a difference-making special teams player.
- LaCamera was awesome, and Tripucka went back-and-forth against an All-American and held his own. You can’t find me a guy on this team that’s getting on the team bus that doesn’t feel good about what they contributed.
- A&M has dominated the SEC East. They’ve lost to Florida and Missouri, so to lose two games in six years so far is pretty crazy. Play the SEC East and Arkansas every game and A&M could win the national title. They’re playing SEC West football, they have done a complete 180 and they can win a low-scoring game. They are built finally to be able to win games in the 20s, and if the O-Line can come around, this team can do a lot. With the skill guys they have, this team has the potential to be someone to be dealt with in the SEC moving forward.
- The key now is finishing. We’ve talked about responding after Bama, and in the past they haven’t done that. Last year after Alabama they got smoked by a Mississippi State team that went 5-7. They’re first game this year after Bama they come to The Swamp and win. This is a different team.
