Trooper Traylor delivers emotional postgame interview after bowl win vs. Troy

Head-coach-less, starting-quarterback-less Duke scratched and clawed their way to a 17-0 victory in the Birmingham Bowl, which led to a very emotional Trooper Taylor interview after the game.

Once Blue Devil head coach Mike Elko absconded to College Station for the Texas A&M gig, Taylor was promoted to the interim position and had to find a way to steer the ship to the bowl game while several coaches and players already began coming and going.

After such a crazy couple of weeks and a big time win, Taylor was overcome with pride in the postgame press conference, complimenting the guys who competed their tails off on the field Saturday afternoon.

“It meant everything. Blood just makes you kin. Love, trust, respect, commitment, hard work, that makes you family. Those guys epitomized every one of those, so I’m so happy for them, so happy for all the fans, too, that came out. Guys, I’ll just tell you, it’s been a whirlwind. I’m emotional because…” and Taylor’s voice trailed off as he began to get choked up and shed some tears.

“Because… these guys mean the most to me,” Trooper Taylor eventually finished his line, still crying, as he was then asked about quarterback Grayson Loftis, who led the victory thanks to several other QB absences.

“Man, that’s just a reflection of who we are and what him and his family stand for. You talked about it, we shuffled (offensive linemen) around like cards, got a little hairy at the end, made one mistake, but he got better from it, and that’s all you can ask from a player is for him to continue to grow through it.”

Of course, the Duke defense ultimately made the key plays to seal the deal, picking off Troy on their final possession to effectively end the 17-10 ball game.

“Let me tell you, all those guys on that side of the ball, buying in and flying around, it’s contagious,” said Taylor, explaining that those guys “paid rent” vs. Troy.

“We talked about, you have to pay your rent. They said something about that podium and that 13 was gonna be on that podium and on that stage. And I said, ‘That stage is for rent. You got to pay your rent to get up on their rent this time.’ They paid their deposit and they paid their rent, and so, they deserve to be up on that stage.”

A very nice end to the season for Trooper Taylor, Grayson Loftis and guys wearing Duke uniforms Shirt.