Key quotes from Gators WR Ricky Pearsall ahead of the South Carolina game

Senior receiver Ricky Pearsall is one of the most productive players in the Florida Gators offense.

In six games, he leads the team in receptions (34) and receiving yards (453). And, of course, his one-handed catch vs. Charlotte was one of the best ever made at The Swamp.

For Florida to end its road woes and beat South Carolina on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium, Pearsall very likely will need to have another big game. This week, he talked to the media about the challenge ahead — and other topics.

Here are some of his notable quotes …

ON WHAT IT WILL TAKE FOR THE OFFENSE TO START FASTER ON THE ROAD

RICKY PEARSALL: “Just continuing to emphasize that in practice each and every day. I think that’s where it starts, first and foremost, is you practice how you play. So come to practice with great energy and encourage all the guys as a leader.”

ON WANTING TO REDEEM THEMSELVES AFTER THE FLAT PERFORMANCE AT KENTUCKY

RICKY PEARSALL: “For sure. I think all the guys are well aware of we haven’t played our best ball on the road. So just continuing to emphasize that throughout the locker room. And we’ve got to highlight that each and every day.

We obviously know best that we haven’t been playing our best ball on the road. So continuing to nail that into all the guys’ heads. And everything’s got to be even more detailed throughout this week heading into that environment.”

PEARSALL ON THE IMPORTANCE OF GOING INTO THE BYE WEEK WITH SOME MOMENTUM

RICKY PEARSALL: “It will be really good for the guys just to have another win and have back-to-back wins. I think that’s going to be really important for the team.”

ON WHAT THE EMERGENCE OF FRESHMEN EUGENE WILSON AND ARLIS BOARDINGHAM CAN DO FOR THE OFFENSE

RICKY PEARSALL: “It’s definitely going to open up the offense, having more guys out there making plays. They see it on film, the other team sees it on film. They’ll have to guard that. That’s going to benefit us across all cylinders. Obviously passing the ball will open up the run game, vice versa, the run game is going to open up the pass game. So we all kind of play with each other on that. For sure, I hope so.”

ON SOME OF THE HITS QUARTERBACK GRAHAM MERTZ IS TAKING THIS SEASON

RICKY PEARSALL: “I joke with him all the time. He should slide a little bit earlier. He’s a tough guy. He’s just trying to fight for every yard. So hats off to him. But I tell him to slide because we need him.”

ON WHAT HE DOES TO MENTOR EUGENE WILSON AND ANDY JEAN

RICKY PEARSALL: “Just to make sure they can operate in the building as a pro and just being a pro every single day, whatever it takes, having a set schedule each and every day. Make sure they’re handling their business. Don’t get complacent. But those are both two really talented young guys. I’m super excited for them. I think they have a lot going for them, and I’m excited for them moving forward.”

ON THE HIGH NUMBER OF REVERSES THE GATORS HAVE RUN OF LATE

RICKY PEARSALL: “I think it’s really good to put on tape for defenses to see because obviously we have a lot of motions, run a lot of motions, a lot of motions. And being able to pull the guy away from the run game is going to be really important for us. It will open up the hole a little bit bigger, get people out of the box.”

ON WHAT IT WILL TAKE FOR THE GATORS TO COMPLETE MORE DEEP PASSES

RICKY PEARSALL: “Honestly, I don’t really know the answer to that. But I’ve just got to execute whatever is planned for me. And whatever the play call is, regardless if it’s run play or pass play, I’ve got to go out there and get open and give my full effort.

If it’s blocking for one of my guys in the backfield, if that’s what it is. And if it’s running a pass play, I have to get open for Graham and be available for him.

RICKY PEARSALL ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE OFFENSE STARTING FAST AFTER 2 SUBPAR ROAD GAMES

RICKY PEARSALL: “It’s definitely a big urgency for us. They’re going to put on a hostile environment, a good environment for us to come there. It’s going to be loud. It’s going to be noisy. And as an offense we have to have better communication when you step into environments like that. 

So making sure we emphasize that and continue to stress the urgency throughout practice, prepare for that.”

ON GRAHAM MERTZ’S ACCURACY THIS SEASON

RICKY PEARSALL: “He’s just a football guru. He’s a dedicated guy. He’s constantly in the film room. He’s constantly with Coach O’Hara watching film, and I’ll sneak in there sometimes and just kind of see what they’re talking about and maybe gain some new knowledge and information I need, just being on the same page. 

He’s just one of those guys that’s super involved and wants to know about everything, each and every detail about defenses. And obviously I think that’s helped him tremendously. And as a receiver we’ve got to help him. We’ve got to get open, be available for him in each and every way we can.”

ON THE SALES OF THE T-SHIRT FEATURING HIS ONE-HANDED CATCH

RICKY PEARSALL: “I think it’s a good part about NIL nowadays is I’m able to do that, which is really cool opportunity for myself. So that’s a tremendous blessing to be able to do that. I just recently — it’s super new. So I’m going to post about it and get that word out, but I’m excited to see where it goes with it.”