RODRIGO BLANKENSHIP, kicker
What did you tell yourself after you miss a kick like that?
“Whether if I make a kick or miss a kick I have to treat it the exact same way and that’s how you get consistent with it. Whether if it’s a 52-yarder or an extra point kick. You have to treat them the exact same way and keep a level head through it all.”
Were you concerned about the last drive with a true freshman at quarterback?
“I wasn’t concerned at all. We had a true freshman lead us down the field on game-winning drives last season. Jake Fromm is a really talented guy. He’s mature for his age. He put our team in position to win.”
Did you see all of the Georgia fans here?
“Last night, we saw the Chicago Cubs game and some twitter post and it was like 20,000 or 30,000 fans.”
LORENZO CARTER, strongside linebacker
How do you feel about how it went for you today?
“It went well. We came out and executed the game plan. You can’t ask for more. We fought hard. We fought the whole game. We knew it was going to be a tough battle. We came out and I don’t think anybody ever doubted that we had a chance to win. We just kept fighting.”
Was a game like this on your mind when you decided to return for your senior season?
“Oh yeah, most definitely. I knew we were making this trip up to South Bend and I had to be a part of it. Especially with the way we finished up last year. I wanted to come back and do something better.”
What happened on your sack-strip?
“I just came free. I had to go in a straight line as fast as I could to the quarterback.”
What did you see on Davin Bellamy’s sack to ice the game?
“Coming off the edge, I saw my brother on the other side coming free so I knew I had to get ready for him to make a play. Once he made that play, I had to do what I do and get on the ball.”
What kind of statement was made here today both by the Georgia defense and the fans?
“Oh wee! First of all, thanks to the fan base and Dawg Nation for coming out strong. It felt like a home game. Fourth quarter, I saw those lights come up. It was crazy. It felt good.”
Where you all intimidated by Notre Dame’s line coming into the game?
“We are never intimidated by another man. Intimidation is nothing. We worked hard during the week and came out prepared. That’s what we didn’t.”
Did y’all want to back up Dominick (Sanders) domination talk?
“Oh yeah, definitely. That’s the goal every week, it doesn’t matter who we play. Our goal is to come out dominate the opponent. We practice for it. That’s the we practice and that’s the same thing we expect when we come out to play on Saturdays.”
How did you feel you and Bellamy played?
“I feel like we can get better. There are things we can improve one. We’re going to get back and watch the film tonight on the plane probably. We’ve got things to fix. We’re never done. We’ve never complacent. We just have to get back to work.”
Was this the type of game you came back for?
“Oh yeah. It’s all coming together. It’s my senior year. It’s time to do work.”
What’s the significance of coming in here and winning a game like this?
“It’s a morale booster. But we are not going to live off of this. We can’t live off of this. We have next week to play. We have Samford coming into Athens. We have to do what we do. We have to come out and practice this week and then execute the game plan next week.”
Was the celebration a level higher here?
“Definitely. We are into South Bend, Indiana and we had what seems like 65 percent of the Stadium. We had to celebrate. We had to thank the fans for coming out and supporting us. It was a hard-fought victory. It was worth celebrating.”
Was this game a blueprint for how you all might have to win games until the offense figures things out?
“Defensively, we always hold ourselves up to that standard. We have a plan and it doesn’t matter what happens on the other side of the ball. We have their back and they have our backs. So, it doesn’t matter what they do. We are just going to keep playing hard and clawing for 60 minutes.”
What did you do with the ball form that fumble recovery?
“I gave the ball to Jonas Jennings. I gave it to him.”
TERRY GODWIN, wide receiver
What was the stadium like?
“They made us feel like we were right at home. In the fourth quarter when they turned the lights on their cell phones, that was something special.”
Did you have any doubts about your catch and if it was a touchdown?
“No sir. I knew right away that it was a catch and that I was inbounds.”
Have you ever made a better catch than that?
“That catch there, that was something routine. We work on getting our feet inbounds and having a difficult play every day in practice. It came up to show it when the lights came on.”
What’s on your mind when that ball is in the air?
“Go get it. If I don’t come down with it, no one catches it.”
Did you know it was good?
“Oh, yes sir. I had one foot in and I had possession of that ball.”
What were you thinking during the replay?
“Check the scoreboard, that’s what I was saying to myself. I never said that to the ref. I just went to the sideline and my teammates looked at the replay.”
What were you thinking about when that ball was in the air and coming in to you?
“This is my chance to make a play. The ball was in the air. If I don’t catch it. No one catches it.”
Did you ever see a highlight of that A.J. Green catch at Colorado?
“Yes Sir. I used to watch his videos all the time. That catch there is what inspired me. He inspired me to come to Georgia and do what I do. I’m trying to leave a legacy.”
ROQUAN SMITH, weakside linebacker
What does this game mean to the program?
“This is the ultimate feeling, beating Notre Dame which is a great team up in South Bend. It was an awesome atmosphere. So, it just amazing to take down a team like that with my brothers.”
What kind of statement did the defense make tonight?
"We always felt like we are a top defense. We play (aggressively) and we don't give up anything cheap. We had a few penalties here and there that we'll have to correct, but I feel like we can only go up from there."
Do you feel like Lorenzo (Carter) and Davin (Bellamy) took it up a notch tonight?
“Oh, they definitely have. This is their last ride. So they definitely have to make the most of it. There is no more after this. Those guys pretty much know that and it’s just an awesome feeling to be able to enjoy this win with my teammates.”
Was this a blueprint for how you all have to win games until the offense comes around?
“I think our offense played a good game. I wouldn’t say anything like that. Or that all of the pressure is on the defense. That’s the way we are going to play defense.”
Credit: Michael Conroy
Credit: Michael Conroy
