Some postgame quotes from Georgia’s 33-24 victory against North Carolina on Saturday at the Georgia Dome.
RUNNING BACK NICK CHUBB
On the win:
“It feels great to come out here and get a win in Game 1. We busted our tails all summer. It was a great experience.”
On his return from injury:
“My teammates motivated me. My family and everyone around me pushed me and made sure I worked hard.”
CORNERBACK MAURICE SMITH
On the win:
“We proved that we can strive through adversity and deal with it. We’re a team that’s going to fight all the way to the end. The defense made a big statement today.”
On adjusting to UGA’s defense after his mid-summer transfer:
“It’s actually alike in some ways. It was a grind. I had to come up here in a limited amount of time and get on the field. In the end, I did what I did. I appreciate the chance the coaches gave me.”
On the game:
“It was a blessing to be out there to get to play with those guys; it was motivating (and) it felt great to be back on the field.”
On coach Kirby Smart:
“He’s a lot more free; he’s not so uptight. He’s almost exactly the way he was. He’s still a defensive guru, and he doesn’t give us much slack.”
LINEBACKER DAVIN BELLAMY
On the fourth-quarter safety:
“It was big for us. It swung the momentum. Zo (Lorenzo Carter) forced the pressure, and Roquan (Smith) closed it out. On this defense we all fly around and make plays. We just like to play ball.”
On linebacker Roquan Smith:
“Roquan is one of those guys that comes out every day with a positive attitude. I shared some words with him before the game, and let him know that he’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever been around. I told him the game will come easy to you, and you’ll go out there and play well for us.”
On Nick Chubb’s motivation:
“I saw last night that someone said that (UNC’s Elijah Hood) would be the best back in the Dome. He went out there and showed up. No one can prepare for Chubb.”
On the feeling/atmosphere after his safety:
“It was amazing. The stadium just erupted and I was pumped. It definitely gave the team momentum and spark. I was like, ‘Hey we got a safety so now it’s go time.’”
LINEBACKER ROQUAN SMITH
On playing at the Georgia Dome:
“It was nice. I was looking forward to the Dome experience, and it went well for Georgia.”
On how the defense overcomes loud crowd noise:
“It can get pretty loud, but we figured out how to get the calls out.”
WIDE RECEIVER ISAIAH MCKENZIE
On his 51-yard catch from Jacob Eason in the fourth quarter on the drive that gave Georgia a 26-24 lead:
“I was hoping to get it — and then he just threw a great pass and I made a great play.”
Note: Quotes provided by Chick-fil-A Kickoff game communications staff
