Eric Gray, RB – So.
On what he would say Georgia did to give the running game a hard time on Saturday…
“It’s a big testament to Georgia, they have a great front seven. They did a great job and had a great scheme and for the most part they just outplayed us in the second half.”
On if it has seemed like the past two weeks have been wild, considering they were successful against Missouri, but struggled against Georgia running the ball…
“That’s how it goes sometimes. You have to keep going and keep working. Today in practice we have to work on our run game and keep it going and I believe we will get back on track.”
On if it frustrated the offense that he wasn’t able run effectively against Georgia…
“To be efficient we have to run the ball efficiently in any game, and when you don’t run the ball efficiently, it can sort of mess it up, but I believe it was a good test and learning curve for us.”
On his thoughts in regard to the offensive line…
“I still believe our offensive line is one of the best offensive lines in the country no matter what. So, I believe we definitely should have some success running the ball.”
On the relationship needed between the offensive line and running backs to have a successful run game…
“It starts with practice, and it starts with going hard and making sure we are on the same page in practice, and make sure we’re all going hard so we can see the holes the line creates. We are not going against the ones a lot. We are going against the scout team, so we just got to make sure we are doing everything right and doing everything hard.”
On if he sees his role in the passing game evolving after the game Saturday…
“I definitely think in today’s game, getting your running back out and catching passes in space is the life of a running back nowadays, and for me to do that and for me to show that I can do that is just helping me improve my game.”
On how the feels the offensive line has reacted to the game on Saturday…
“It was a learning curve for everyone. Everybody has to look at themselves in the mirror and say, ‘what do I need to do to get better?’ The guys have done that and today we are going to go out and practice and make sure we do all the right things so we make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
On if he would like to play on the field the same time as Ty Chandler more and if it could make them more difficult to defend…
“I think with us back there it definitely gives the defense a different look on who is getting the ball and who you have to cover, but I’ll leave all those schemes and all those plays to coach Chaney. He is the mastermind up there.”
On if he thinks he and Ty Chandler are now weapons as pass catchers in the backfield…
“I definitely think we are both weapons in the outside game. Like I said in today’s game you have to be able to catch it out of the backfield to be successful.”
On what he thought about the young guys that scrimmaged on Sunday that haven’t go to play a lot…
“Those guys actually went out there and played really hard. I was really proud of them being able to get out there and play. The running backs did a great job just going out there and playing. It kind of felt like high school again to those guys, just going out there and playing and showing what they can do.”
On what he thinks about Dee Beckwith and what he can bring to the team…
“I think Dee had a great scrimmage as well. He’s a big guy. He’s a big tough runner that is going to be hard to bring down and he brings that toughness and hard running to our team.”
On how he changes his approach to a game when they a play a team like Kentucky who also likes to establish the run game which may limit offensive possessions…
“It comes down to making plays. When you got the ball you have to make plays and you can’t leave any empty possessions and leave it out there on the field and make plays when It is needed.”
On what he thinks he and Ty Chandler need to better at as far as running the ball…
“We just have to be on the same page. There were some runs where we could’ve busted it for more than we did, but we got to stay on our track, stay true to our linemen and our assignment, and I think we will get better at it.”
On if his confidence was affected any after struggling to run against Georgia…
“I like to say I am a confident guy, and not being able to run the ball isn’t going to affect it like that, but you just got to know that you got to keep going, got to keep striving that things will get better.”
On what he sees out of Kentucky’s run defense…
“I believe they have a good run defense. I have watched them and they got a big front four on the defensive line, and I believe our offensive line will put them to the test this week.”
-UT Athletics
