WATCH: Georgia players share thoughts on upcoming rivalry game

Interviews this week brought us a quartet of Georgia Bulldog players as they prepare for a rivalry game against Florida on Saturday. Wide receiver Arian Smith spoke on his exciting return to the Sunshine State. Safety Malaki Starks shared details of his viral proposal. We also heard from tight end Lawson Luckie and outside linebacker Chaz Chambliss too…

DawgsHQ was on hand for all the interviews, both with the players and head coach Kirby Smart. To check them out in full, you can head on over to our YouTube channel. However, we’re also providing you with access to select quotes and video of the players below. Enjoy!

#11 Arian Smith | WR | Sr.

On playing in Jacksonville…

“I’m pumped to see that we’re bringing your own juice, coach said. When we go out there in warmups, it’s quiet. You don’t hear anything until you take off your headset. I just put some music in and just try to get myself up and energized for the game. When we come out of the tunnel, it’ll be packed and loud.”

On what it means to beat Florida…

“It is personal. That borderline rivalry, you already know that it is going to be a physical game. It feels like a good win when we come out of it and our fans are right there cheering for us. We see the other side clearing out. It is just one of those games where we want to come out as a dominant win.”

On being experienced with the offense…

“Easier to play in and be in the offense and to understand all the concepts. Where we ask stuff and are able to install. I am surprised when the defense does something and Carson (Beck) has a check, or the offense has changed. The whole thing can go in different ways. So, it is easier to anticipate and pick up on. One thing encourages and being in the positions where I play, which is all of them. So, it is easier to do that.”

#32 Chaz Chambliss | OLB | Sr.

On the defense producing a similar performance to Texas…

“It came down to execution. We talked about it before the game, obviously there were interviews that led up to it talking about execution that we needed on defense. Honestly going into that game, we didn’t feel like we played our best game at all on defense. We would come out of each game thinking like we lost because we didn’t play up to our standard, and we finally played up to our standard that game.”

On his senior class potentially going undefeated against Florida…

“It’s an accomplishment in itself to go 4-0 against any SEC team. Every single team in the SEC is capable of beating anybody every single weekend. Going 4-0 against one opponent is a great achievement.”

On his development as a player…

“Coming in, I came in under a bunch of great players. They developed me to where I am today, and I still talk to them. Nolan (Smith) kind of took me under his wing, Bill (Norton) took me under his wing. Led me in the direction I needed to go, without those guys I wouldn’t be able to be in the place that I am now.”

On Florida’s offense…

“You can look across the league about how a running Quarterback affects the game. Go back to LSU vs Texas A&M, it completely changes the dynamic of the game when the quarterbacks would run it. It makes you prepare for more stuff, and we’ve struggled in the past with running quarterbacks. We have to prepare, know what’s coming, know the copycats that we’re going to get and just prepare perfectly this week.”

#7 Lawson Luckie | TE | So.

On bye week for freshmen….
“The bye week is huge just to get your legs back under you. It helped me a lot last year because I remember, I’m pretty sure the Vandy game, was the first game I was really back playing. Then, we went into Florida, so it took those two weeks. It really helped me get ready, and it’s done the same this year – getting your legs back under for the Florida game.”

On what the Florida rivalry means for him…
“Florida-Georgia’s the biggest game, one of the biggest games we play. It’s one of our biggest rivals, so that’s one of the games you always looked forward to as a kid. Now, it’s full circle. It’s one of the biggest games we look forward to all year.”

On the emphasis on the perimeter in the run game…
“Perimeter blocking is one of our biggest emphases especially with the RPOs and the screens out there. We just look at it as an extended part of the run game, but we think there’s a lot of hidden yards out there. So, we do a big emphasis on being a lead out there and have it be one of our biggest strengths.”

On the addition of Trevor Etienne….
“He’s been huge. Trevor’s brought a bunch of juice to the offense, and I think we all saw it at the Texas game. I think that was his coming out game, but we’ve known how good Trevor is for a long time now. I’m glad he’s showing the world that now.” 

#24 Malaki Starks | DB | Jr

On secondary improvements…
“I think the biggest thing is really being aggressive. Whether it be in coverage or the ball down the field, I think if you look at the start of the season we weren’t that aggressive in attacking the ball. But go back to Texas, and there are hands on the ball everywhere. Whether it be in the run game or the ball in the air – whatever the case may be. I think we need to do a better job of coming down with the ball, but I think it’s just been being aggressive and letting loose.”

On the Georgia-Florida rivalry…
“I think it means a little different for different people. When I look back at it, my freshman year, I woke up with the flu. Last year, I was pretty sick when we played them, so I’ve been sick every year we’ve played Florida. So, I am really trying not to get sick this week. It’s always a good game, very physical. They’re a really good team. They run their program very similar to ours and vice versa. I like going out there and competing. You’re in Jacksonville and playing a great game with great players. It’s just an amazing spot to be in. “

On defending the Florida wide receivers…
“They make plays. When the ball is in the air, they go get it. And after the catch, too, they’re making plays. They’re very explosive in that way. So, we just really have to be smart and play as a team, play as a unit. At the end of the day, we just have to do our job.”