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Transcript: Carson Beck SEC Interview

THE MODERATOR: Carson, please give us your thoughts on the upcoming SEC Championship game.

CARSON BECK: I’m just looking forward to the opportunity to go out there and compete at a high level. Obviously it was one of our goals to make it to the SEC Championship game, so to be able to do that, very proud of our team at this point, and looking forward to the opportunity.

Q. I don’t know whether you saw it live or after your game, but as a quarterback, what went through your mind when you saw the finish from that Alabama-Auburn game from Jalen?

CARSON BECK: Yeah, so I saw that after obviously we had to play Georgia Tech, but I saw it after, and I mean, what a crazy wild ending to a game. I know that’s one of the biggest rivalries in all of college football, the Alabama-Auburn game that is, but to see that play, I feel like you see so many crazy plays from the history and past of that game, but watching that, that was definitely crazy and fun to watch.

Q. When you were young, how many times did you throw that play in the backyard with friends?

CARSON BECK: Yeah, it’s definitely like a backyard football type of game, back there, kind of throwing it up, especially 4th and goal. Absolutely insane. Just a crazy play.

Q. I wanted to ask about what it’s like — obviously you weren’t the starting quarterback for all of this streak, but you’ve extended it to 29 games. What is it like to be in a streak like that? How conscious of it are you when you’re going through a week? How much do you think about it and what an accomplishment it is?

CARSON BECK: It’s definitely a great accomplishment, and like you said, I haven’t been the starter for all of it, but to be able to continue that and be a part of it is huge for me and obviously everyone else on the team I think feels the same way. I don’t think it’s something that we think about ever, to be honest. I think we’ve done a really good job at keeping the main thing the main thing and focusing on each opponent week to week and just trying to go 1-0 as each game presents itself.

Q. You’ve seen these SEC Championship games from a different perspective. Now you’re going to be starting. Could you talk about playing and the magnitude of this game; it’s kind of why you come to a school like Georgia and the SEC, isn’t it?

CARSON BECK: Yeah, absolutely. Obviously when I made my decision to come here, I knew that at some point when I did have my opportunity that we were going to have the chance to play in big-time games like this on a big-time stage. Obviously super excited and stoked for the opportunity and the challenge that awaits us.

I know the rest of the team is also super excited for the opportunity. Definitely just going to go out there and try to execute and have fun.

Q. I know you’ve waited your turn before this year to start. Was there a moment or a particular game where you kind of felt comfortable and things started to settle in for you?

CARSON BECK: Yeah, obviously it was definitely a work in progress as the season kind of started, but I’d say that South Carolina game, after that second half kind of where we started to pick up steam, started to become a little bit more comfortable within the offense and with the players around me, and I think our confidence kind of shot up from there.

We’ve been able to pick up steam as the season has gone along.

Q. The offense around you has just had moving pieces throughout with the injuries. You and Ladd came in together, and he’s only been able to play half the games. What has that been like for him? I asked Kirby about it and he admitted how frustrated Ladd is being a competitor. What have those conversations been like with you and Ladd knowing there’s been a lot of games he hasn’t been healthy enough to play in?

CARSON BECK: Yeah, obviously the chemistry that we have together whenever he is out on the field is really good. Obviously for him to be injured and out, I know he’s frustrated as all get-out because he is a competitor and wants to be out there on the field.

Obviously things happen. It’s a contact sport; it’s football; there’s injuries; and he’s going to try to get back and healthy as soon as possible.

Q. I wonder if you can reflect on your time as an Alabama commitment, if you remember any interactions you might have had with Nick Saban during that span.

CARSON BECK: Yeah, I mean, that was a long time ago, but obviously a great coach, one of the greatest of all time. Just stern with it, sets a standard. It’s a very similar program to Georgia and the things that we believe in, the ideals. But obviously Coach Saban is a great coach, and I have tons of respect for him.

Q. You’ve played against an ACC opponent on Saturday. The game seemed to be competitive, but I wanted to ask you if you can give me your assessment of playing an ACC team, and the reason I ask is because some people have the foregone conclusion that the ACC is not as strong but you had a chance to see that team up close and personal. Would you give your assessment of an ACC opponent.

CARSON BECK: I mean, we view every opponent the same. We try to just go week to week and kind of have the image of a faceless opponent. It doesn’t really matter what conference they’re in, what division. None of that really matters at the end of the day. We just go in and try to execute and win each and every week.

ICYMI – Video/Transcript: Kirby Smart SECCG Week Opening Presser

Opening statement …

“We got started a little bit yesterday on Alabama — putting to bed the last game out of the way and get a little bit of a head start on these guys for today. We’ll begin with them and open it up for any questions.”

On what makes a good running quarterback…

“He has the ability to do both. He is a tremendous, tremendous football player. I mean, I didn’t really know until I got further into the games and watching them last night how good he really is at what he does. And I think anytime you can scramble and extend plays, á la Stetson, really anybody, it makes it harder to defend. When you have the component of designed runs mixed in with that, it complicates it even more because he becomes an extra player, an extra guy to tackle, a physical guy to tackle, big, physical guy that has running back characteristics, but he has the ability to throw the ball, and he throws the ball well, especially off their play action game. He does a really good job of taking shots and throwing the ball down field. He sees it well, and they’ve got a massive offensive line to protect him with. So when you’ve got ability to run the ball as a designed run and then you also can run the ball in your scrambles, it just makes it harder to defend.”

On Jalen Milroe’s arm strength…

“You’re focused on the whole package. I mean, you’re trying to stop the entire unit, the entire group, as well as, you know, they’ve got a really good defense and they’ve got tremendous special teams. There’s no areas that you look at and go oh, that’s a weakness, or oh, they’re not very good at. They got really good football players. They’re well coached. Their special teams units, you see it. It pops out on the screen. They got starters all over it. So when you go to offense and you see Milroe and the leaders they have there, they’re really talented. They’re really tough. They’re sound. And he makes plays. He makes lots of plays, number one, with his athletic ability, but he makes them with his arm as well.”

On Alabama’s defense…

“Yeah. Size, speed, toughness, aggressiveness, multiple coverages, players that can play multiple positions. The depth across the defensive line is one of the things that pops out of you. They roll guys, and they constantly have fresh guys in there striking, playing blocks, playing with great toughness; really good at the star position, very experienced. Got two corners that are going to be drafted that are good players; play with great safeties. I mean, they’ve got an all-around really good defense, but that’s what you would expect. I mean, you would expect nothing less from this group.”

On beating Alabama in the 2021 National Championship…

“It meant that the University of Georgia got a National Championship. That’s the significance of that.”

On Kendall Milton’s success…

“Good run scheme, being in the right runs at the right time, understanding the leverages, a really good run plan and perimeter blocking, but he certainly is healthier than he’s been. He’s running with confidence. I feel like he’s hitting the hole a lot harder because he’s more confident, and being explosive is getting to the secondary. You’re not going to be an explosive run offense if you don’t get your backs to the secondary. And that’s one thing we’ve been able to do is get him past that first level, and he’s running through a lot of arm tackles, too, which is really important to be an explosive run team.”

On Julian Humphrey and Jamon Dumas-Johnson…

“Yeah, still week to week with their injuries, trying to get both those guys back.”

On balancing constructive criticism and player praise to keep players engaged…

“I mean, it’s just we tell the truth — the truth is not always criticism. I mean, the truth is the truth. And we’re very honest. When guys play well, we tell them, and when they don’t, we tell them. And sometimes it’s okay to not play well if the person whipped you and played better than you or — we talk about the intangibles when we go through the game. We talk about the things we can control. We don’t get outside of that, and we don’t vary very far.

And we used the analogy earlier in the year that the Navy SEALs that we studied and visited with in the off season, one of the number one things they said if you’re too sensitive for criticism, you can’t be in our group, because their criticism is different. If you’re sensitive to that, the guy next to you may die. And like we’re not dealing with things that drastic. So it’s really important that you understand you can’t be sensitive and actually get better.”

On Dallas Turner and Caleb Downs of Alabama…

“Both tremendous athletes, very instinctive. We recruited both those guys. They’re passionate about the game of football. They love the game of football. They love to play the game of football, and those kind of kids are your favorite kind to coach. They’re in there every day with a bright eye. They’re taking notes. They love to play the game, and you see that on tape out of both those guys, both very, very elite football players.”

On what the SEC Championship means to him…

“I have a great appreciation for this game, because, you know, I grew up an SEC kid, an SEC footprint kid, an SEC player. I’ve coached most of my career in the SEC. So I have an appreciation for this game and how hard it is to win. I mean, it was no different my experience at Alabama, you know, we had a year that we won a National Championship that we didn’t win an SEC Championship. So that’s happened a couple of times in our conference. It’s hard to find that in most conferences. I think it speaks to the depth of our conference. It speaks to the — how hard it is just to get to the game. I mean, in some ways, I think Alabama and us have been spoiled, and I don’t think some kids appreciate — they think it’s a rite of passage, and it’s not. It’s earned. And it’s some of the greatest venues — environments that I’ve been a part of to play in that game.”

On the Alabama receiving corps…

“They’re athletic. They’re fast. They got speed all over the place. They’ve got some guys that really do well on the vertical balls. Obviously Milroe throws the deep ball really well. They’ve got intermediate routes. They got teams that play off of them, and they hit timing routes. They’re able to throw and quick gain and RPOs. Do a really good job of that.Their run after a catch has been good, and one of the key contributing factors to explosive plays for them has been if a play breaks down and the timing is not right, some quarterbacks have to throw it away. Some quarterbacks have to take off and run. They turn plays into massive explosive plays. So part of their plan, they know their quarterback is going to be able to extend plays. He has the longest time to throw in the entire NCAA. And they make plays out of those plays, and I think that’s really a contribution that they’ve made as a receiving core to him is the ability to get open on plays that may not have been by design.”

On his reaction to Alabama’s game-winning touchdown against Auburn…

“I didn’t see it until yesterday when I watched that game, went through the tape. It was crazy how it got to that point, like to be down there and be close and then be all the way back up, and then to come out on top with that play. I mean, it shows his arm talent, and most teams have a play-by-design that they play from certain yardage intervals, you know, maybe 15 to 25 is this play, 25 to 35 is this play. It’s not just a Hail Mary play. It’s a play to try to find a one-on-one, and they were able to find a one-on-one, which that gives you the best percentages you could have.”

On his critiques of the team defending the quarterback run and rushes this past weekend…

“Similar to most things. Like when you look at tape, you’re never as bad as you think and never as good as you think. There are some misfits in there, some guys maybe not keying what they’re supposed to key and looking at what they’re supposed to key. And then some of it is I actually thought that we struck blocks and played the blocks really well up front better than I thought coming out. It was not a matter of, oh, we just got whipped. It was a matter of some things we didn’t fit well and we didn’t knock back tackle, so instead of second and seven, it’s second and four. It’s a big difference, and the effort to finish and get more bodies on contact is really important because that manages what your down and distances are.”

On implementing and using the quarterback spies and stopping the quarterback run…

“Two different things I think you’re discussing there. I don’t know if you’re referencing spying the quarterback or if you’re talking about stopping quarterback runs. Completely different worlds there, because if you’re going to stop a quarterback run, you’re not spying the quarterback, because I mean, some of his most explosive plays are drop-back passes that people are doing their job and he becomes the runner, and he takes off and runs, whereas, a QB-designed run, you usually know within the first one second or millisecond of the play whether it’s a designed run or it’s a drop-back pass.

So on a drop-back pass, if he takes off and he’s the best athlete on the field, you’ve got maybe seven or eight guys that got a chance to tackle him because he’s already passed the first ones, whereas, on a designed run, you know, it’s meant and blocked for him to run the ball. You can’t put a spy on that. You gotta fit your gaps. You gotta do gap control. You gotta have fits. You gotta get knock-back. You gotta get off blocks.

So, yeah, people do try to spy him, and their spy can’t get him on the ground. So everybody’s had a different plan of action, and everybody’s done it different ways, and we’ll try to put together what our best plan of action is. But if you don’t stop the quarterback runs, it never gets to the point he has to throw it. You don’t have to throw it if they can run the ball every play.”

On using confidence from the team’s previous meeting for this upcoming game…

“I think the two teams are very different. I mean you look at who they were then and who we were then. I don’t know that they could be the polar opposites in terms of what they do offensively, and even us from a standpoint and who we were defensively then. So I don’t think the two — not a lot — in college football today, not a lot of players that played in that game are playing in this game. If they did, they were probably a minor role.”

On reflecting on the 2009 National Championship with Alabama and comparing Jalen Milroe to Tim Tebow…

“No offense to Tim Tebow, but this guy is different. Tim was — I mean it was a different running style, very different running style in terms of what they did and how they did things. This guy is — I mean it’s like when I used to ask my sons who they were playing with on the Madden game, and they would say, I’m playing with the Ravens, and I would say, why are you playing with the Ravens? And they would say, I got Lamar Jackson and nobody can tackle him. Well, this guy’s a bigger, physical version of that. He’s playing in a different speed than everybody else when you watch it. And that’s the way the Madden game was for him.

And, you know, people — and the guy throws the ball really well. So the comparison to 2009 — I don’t know if you’re trying to compare that to that are you’re just saying do I remember the game. Yeah, I remember the game. It was a game for us that we had lost the previous year and felt like we were really close to winning and felt like we were going to have to get over that hurdle. They were the dominant team in the country, I guess, at that time, and they had some really good football players and had a really good coaching staff. And we played a good game that game, and the players all played and believed in themselves, and it was a tremendous venue and game, sure.”

On CJ Allen and Raylen Wilson…

“Yeah, they’ve grown up. They had to grow up fast, man. I mean, you talk about getting thrown into the fire at the Ole Miss, Tennessee, Georgia Tech. They’ve had to play in three games that were really tough, physical games, and prep, each game was different in terms of style. It’s not like they’ve gone this style, this style, this style. They went from Ole Miss to Tennessee to Georgia Tech and three completely different offenses to prepare for. And they’re young guys. They make mistakes, but they also have a quiet confidence about them. They’re good athletes, and they’re well coached. So I’m really proud of what they’ve been able to do, and we need them to play well to get defensive stops. And when you’re playing with freshmen at that position, I think anybody in the country will tell you, it’s a little like playing with the quarterback there. You just don’t want to have to play with freshmen there, but they are the guys that are up, and they’ve done a good job.”

On the importance of keeping a “next play” mentality against Alabama…

“Well, it’s no more important than any other game. How could I sit here and say that it’s any more important this week than ever? Every week, it’s win the next moment. Certainly that applies to this game, but I would not sit here and say it didn’t apply to any of the last 12 games. How you respond to it matters a lot more than what happened. He is going to make plays. I mean that’s a given. You watch every game he’s played, he has made plays, and he has an uncanny ability to extend plays, and whether there’s he knows he’s getting ready to take off and he’s setting you up; he pump fakes. He does a lot of things with the ball that make him hard to defend, but he’s going to make plays, and we’re going to make some plays. So you’ve gotta have confidence that you’re going to make more than they’re going to make.”

On Tommy Rees, the Alabama offensive coordinator…

“Yeah, I think he’s adapting to what he has. You know, people always talk about this team and where they are now. They’re playing as good of football as anybody in the country, and don’t talk to me about playing at Auburn, because I know. So they have played really, really good football, and they’ve evolved from the start of the year to now. They’re not the same team they were in the beginning of the year. Not many are. I mean, we had to figure out who we were and who we were identity wise and how you’re going to use guys. Then guys are out of the offense; guys are in the offense, guys are out of the defense, in the defense. And you evolve. And they’re a very talented, really well-coached, good football team that’s playing its best football at the end of the year.”

On Jamon Dumas-Johnson’s injury potentially needing surgery and his status for this week…

“He’s week to week. Thank you. Appreciate it, guys.”

ICYMI – Video/Transcript: Sedrick Van Pran and Kamari Lassiter Interviews – November 27, 2023

On playing Alabama…

“It’s going to be a trench war, absolutely. It’s going to be a hard fought, physical game. You’re going to win some battles and you’ll lose some battles, but I think the biggest thing is just making sure you continue to fight.”

On staying ahead of physical and mental exhaustion…

“I definitely think you get conditioned to it for sure. You get used to just going. I think that’s the biggest thing is just the repetition of it. I think that throughout the course of a season, of course, we’re human. Guys get tired and things like that. I think that’s why it’s so important to have that connection with your brother, to have guys that can check you and be like, ‘Hey Ced, today you don’t have it. I need you to step it up some.’ That happens. Leader, or no matter who it is, I know even coaches, they may not want to say it, but they have days like that as well. I think it’s just having a system of checks and balances to have everyone be able to respectfully correct each other.”

On stopping LB Dallas Turner…

“I think he’s a great pass rusher. I want to say he was a freshman the last time we played him. He was really good then. He was really explosive, great athlete, very twitchy guy. I would just say going into the game, as far as a mindset thing, is just accepting the challenge. Understanding that he’s another great edge that they have, much like Will Anderson, which they had when we played them then, and he was a great edge. They have guys like him that are game changers and can absolutely run games if you allow them too. For us, it’s accepting the challenge and understanding that God has given you some ability as well so just trust yourself.”

On Jalen Milroe…

“He’s a very good quarterback. He mans their offense very well. He leads their team very well. The offense plays very well with him and through him. He’s just a very good quarterback. He understands where he wants to go with the ball. He understands how to read coverages and defenses. It’s going to be a great challenge having to play against him this week.”

On improving the run defense…

“We have to start playing for each other, playing more connected. You could tell last week on the film that we weren’t playing as connected as we usually do, so going back to our core DNA traits.”

On improving his game…

“I can improve in every aspect of my game. Whether it’s press man, off coverage, zone or anything like that. I really try to pride myself on trying to be the best version of myself. Trying to do whatever I can to help our team out. Whether that’s me being in man coverage or whether that’s me being off, I want to do what I can. If that’s me denying a man the ball, that’s what I’m going to do to the best of my ability.”

CJ Allen was named the SEC Freshman of the Week following his performance at Georgia Tech

Allen previously earned this honor after the Bulldogs’ win over No. 9 Ole Miss earlier this season.  He split this week’s honor with Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor.

This marks the 11^th SEC weekly honor for the Bulldogs this season, including Allen’s earlier accolade.  Junior C Sedrick Van Pran was named the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week on Sept. 18 for Georgia’s first weekly honor this season.  Junior ILB Smael Mondon (Defensive Player) and freshman PK Peyton Woodring (Freshman) earned the honors after the road win over Auburn.  Woodring was again named the league’s Co-Freshman after the win over No. 20 Kentucky while junior QB Carson Beck was the SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week.  Woodring won his third straight Freshman honor after the win at Vanderbilt.  Junior WR Ladd McConkey garnered SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors for the first time after Georgia downed Florida.  Senior DL Nazir Stackhouse (Defensive Lineman) and Woodring (Special Teams) were honored after the Bulldogs’ win over No. 12 Missouri.

Allen, a native of Barnesville, Ga., registered a game-high eight stops during Georgia’s 31-23 victory over the Yellow Jackets.  In just his third collegiate start, Allen helped hold Georgia Tech to just three points over the second and third quarters and to just 2-for-11 on third downs.

Mike Bobo has named one of five finalists for the Broyles Award

Georgia’s John & Alice Sands Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach Mike Bobo has been named one of five finalists for the Broyles Award given to college football’s top assistant coach, according to an announcement from the Frank & Barbara Broyles Foundation Monday.

The four other finalists for the Broyles Award are: Iowa defensive coordinator/secondary coach Phil Parker, LSU offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Mike Denbrock, Michigan offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Sherrone Moore and Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein.

Bobo was also a 2012 finalist for the Broyles Award during his first stint back at Georgia.  Former Bulldog Offensive Coordinator and current Baltimore Raven Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken was a 2022 Broyles finalist.  In addition, former Georgia Defensive Coordinator and current Oregon head coach Dan Lanning was a 2019 and 2021 finalist.  Georgia head coach Kirby Smart won the 2009 honor and was a finalist in 2015 while at Alabama. 

The winner will be announced at a ceremony in Little Rock, Ark., on Dec. 5.

Back in his second term as the Bulldogs’ coordinator, Bobo has his offense on pace to set school records in average yards per game (496.4), average yards per play (7.25) and best completion percentage (72.4).  Georgia is scoring 39.6 points per game, which ranks eighth nationally.  In addition, Bobo’s offense ranks second nationally in third down conversion percentage at 57 percent.

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