Coach Hugh Freeze sat down with the media following his team’s double overtime loss to Missouri.
Auburn Head Coach Hugh Freeze
Opening statement…
“Obviously, this sucks. It stinks, and there’s nothing that you can say to make it feel any better for everyone in that locker room. Fans are incredible, what a great atmosphere, and we’d love to be at Toomer’s with them right now. But we still obviously are not finding ways to win games against top-quality opponents. Our team played their guts out against what I think is a really good football team. We’ve proven we can play with the top in this league, but we haven’t proven we can find ways to win the game, and that’s the summary. We could have easily been up 14-0. We had three drops in the first half that were critical in stopping our drives. And obviously, missing field goals was a big factor in the outcome also. Tough night.”
Champ Anthony, DB
On the postgame message to his teammates…
“Keep putting good stuff on your tape. Your film is your resume, so whether you compete for a championship or not, I’m putting good film on tape. My film is my DNA, that’s who I am. So, just continue to play hard no matter the circumstances, because we don’t know the outcome of anything, so just keep playing your game.”
On having faith in the coaching staff…
“Yes, we do. Coach calls the plays and we play the plays. As simple as that.”
Keyron Crawford, BUCK
On the loss..
“It was extremely tough. We go out there and lay it all on the line, so it’s pretty devastating not getting the outcome we want. We just have to bounce back and stay together.”
On keeping up the sideline energy…
“Just staying positive on the sideline, encouraging guys and uplifting them to go bring that momentum if it does go down.”
On maintaining the energy…
“Me, typically, I look at everybody in the eyes. I see their body language. I see their demeanor, things of that nature. If I see that it’s off, then I correct it right then and there.”
Robert Woodyard Jr., LB
On the defensive play…
“I want to thank the crowd. It affected them tremendously. I feel like our defense prepared well. That’s exactly how we are efficient in our defense.”
On Jay Crawford’s interception…
“That was a big-time play. Great momentum for our sideline. That was a heck of a play.”
Jeremiah Wright, OL
On the locker room…
“Everybody’s disappointed with the losses. We’ve just got to keep straining and go back to work, see our mistakes and just keep finishing. Finishing in the fourth quarter and executing is all.”
On keeping the team’s spirits up…
“We’ve just got to keep motivating each other, keep pushing each other in practice. Also, I know we’re all focused on the on-field stuff, but off the field with your mental and everything; bonding with each other, hanging out with each other, spending time with each other because you never get these moments back. We want these losses to hurt, but we don’t want to dwell on them. We’ve got to find a way to contribute and keep stacking days to get a win.”
Perry Thompson, WR
On the team staying motivated…
“I just feel like everybody has to have their chin up and no negative talk. Keep pushing, keep working and the win will eventually come.”
On the part of his game he takes pride in…
“Knowing that I have the ability to do it, because not everyone is 6-2, 220 and can just block like that. I know I am, so I take pride in that.”
On having targets…
“It feels good, really showing everybody what I can do. I always knew what I could do, but just a matter of fact of going out there, doing it and showing people.”
