UCF Head Coach Josh Heupel
On Darriel Mack Jr.’s performance…
“Darriel did a fantastic job. Managed the game well. Took care of the football the entire night. (He) didn’t have huge passing numbers as far as yards but was really efficient and was really on-target with some of our deep balls that we ended up not catching or not making the play on. I thought he was a great decision-maker. Ran really physical, good decision making. I’m really proud of the way he played.”
On dominating the turnover battle…
“Turnovers typically are going to be one of the two things that decide the football game. Our defense did a great job tonight being extremely physical. Even when they moved the football, we continued to hit the quarterback. The play where Nate (Evans) picks it up and goes the distance is the one that opens it wide open. (I’m) just really proud of the way those guys competed all night long.”
On what he said to Mack early in the game...
“To be honest, his decision making was perfect early in the night. We had some guys around him that busted some things – didn’t see the signal, weren’t aligned correctly. Darriel, from the get-go, was really in tune with what was going on.”
On the way the team finished the game…
“I think our football team continues to compete. A week ago - second half, adverse conditions; you’re up in the second half here. We just continue to keep competing, no matter what’s going on. That’s a sign of a really mature football team.”
On Nate Evans…
“Great story, right? Nate wasn’t a starter early in the year. He continued to work; continued to push. He gets his opportunity, takes advantage of it because of the way he’s prepared. All of a sudden, he’s playing his butt off and he’s playing a lot of football for us. He did a great job on special teams, did a great job defensively again."
UCF Redshirt Freshman Quarterback Darriel Mack Jr.
On when he knew he was going to start…
“When we came back in after warming up, Coach gave me the nod. I was just trying to stay ready.”
On if he knew this would be a possibility this week…
“Not really. I’m just always trying to stay ready, no matter what happens. That’s what happened – he gave me the nod and I was ready.”
On if he was nervous…
“Not really nervous, because I practice like I’m going in, playing the whole game. Just being in there was just a blessing. That’s all I can say.” On how he would rate his performance… “I think I did pretty good. Still left some plays out there on the field, but watching film, that will help me a lot. Get back out there next time I go in, I’ll be good then.”
UCF Sophomore Running Back Greg McCrae
On his run at the end of the game…
“I just saw a bunch of green grass. The o-line blocked; the hole was big, very big. All I had to do was run straight through it and not get blocked.”
On the feeling of finding out Darriel Mack was starting...
"This whole team has trust in DJ Mack, so there was no setback. We all trust in him. We know his abilities and he's a great player. He stepped in tody and did a great job."
UCF Junior Linebacker Nate Evans
On his play…
“It was a critical drive for us, especially as a defense, but our defense has a strong brotherhood. We got our play call and we executed our play call. A positive came out of it – we got a defensive touchdown.”
On the five turnovers…
“We were prepared. This week we prepared (really well). Tackling, communicating with each other on the field. It showed up today in the game.
UCF Senior Defensive Lineman Titus Davis
On the defense forcing five turnovers...
“It was great. We went in the locker room before the game, talked it out, and one of the things that we wanted to happen was a shutout. We came short of that, but great effort tonight.”
On the forced fumble for a touchdown…
“It was an awesome second effort by Kyle Gibson. He came through, got his hand up and got a strip. Nate Evans was there, also good effort, picked the ball up. After he picked the ball up, he took off and that was the end of it. Touchdown.”