TRANSPERFECT MUSIC CITY BOWL: AUBURN VS MARYLAND

December 30, 2023

Michael Locksley

Billy Edwards

Jeshaun Jones

Glen Miller

Ruben Hyppolite

Nissan Stadium

Maryland Terrapins

Press Conference

Maryland 31, Auburn 13.

MICHAEL LOCKSLEY: I'll start by saying this, man. I'm really proud of this team, proud of the way our seniors led this program. Three straight bowl wins, back to back eight-win seasons. It's not easy to do here.

The seniors and some of the guys up here on this stage have played such a vital role in putting this thing together. There was a lot of blood, sweat, and tears from our players, coaches, and staff throughout the finish of this season, navigating a crazy two-week period of transfer portal, NIL, all that stuff.

Man, to be able to sit here as a three straight seasons finishing with wins at the end of the season is a testament to these kids.

I love the contributions we got from some of the young players today. I love the way the veteran players led us and finished the job, which you see very rarely in college football these days, and obviously they found a way to get the job done.

With that, I'll open it up to questions.

Q. (Indiscernible).

MICHAEL LOCKSLEY: You know what, this system, man, the quarterback really -- and he'll tell you -- all they've got to do is execute the stuff. It has answers. It's built for his skill set and Cam's skill set, and obviously Simon and MJ. It's a great problem to have. I can't tell you, playing in bowl games like this allows us, and we've taken the approach that this is how we get better as a program, by utilizing these practices up to the bowl game and then finishing the right way.

I'm really happy with the way the quarterbacks performed, both of those guys. Now, there were some great learning moments, and being able to use technology is kind of a gift and curse because I saw the underthrow Billy had earlier in the game and saw the decision he made right before the half in two-minute.

It was a lot of great teaching and learning throughout the course of this game, and I saw some of our young guys, including our quarterbacks, grow up today.

Q. You've talked before about this game being a movie trailer for the 2024 season. You executed in all three phases, played well in every phase. What did you see out there?

MICHAEL LOCKSLEY: I think we've got a bright future, and I've said that around here. The best part of this program is still ahead for us. Seeing No. 25 out there competing for the deep ball, seeing Perry Fisher making plays in the slot, playing a little slot corner. Seeing 43 out there, some of these guys on the defensive side of the ball that kind of introduced themselves. Two young tight ends both scoring touchdowns in the red area.

To me, I think it shows that we've recruited well and we've developed the players behind, but obviously still got a lot of room to grow. I expect based on this movie trailer that if we can learn how to play from in front, if we can learn how to play with more discipline -- the difference between being an 8-win team and a 10- and 11-win team is playing smart, and to me that's what we've got to do a better job.

I saw us take some steps today. Got a little chirpy, some of the stuff at the end of plays where we got to still grow up. I saw us take a few steps forward in that aspect.

Q. Billy, to be named MVP, can you assess your performance today?

BILLY EDWARDS: Yeah, I'll be honest, I don't think I played very well, but I appreciate Music City Bowl thinking I was the MVP of this game.

I just tried to go out there and do my job to the best of my ability. Obviously I was very grateful for the opportunity. I think the biggest thing for my mind going into this game, I just put a lot of pressure on myself, but I just wanted to win for these older guys. Being not a younger guy, but someone that's got more years eligibility I think that was just the main thing in mind for me.

I think we left a lot of meat on the bone and there's a lot to improve from, but I'm not going to take away from that. I am going to enjoy this one, and I'm really happy we were able to get the win.

Q. (Indiscernible)?

BILLY EDWARDS: Yeah, they honestly went by very fast. They gave me the openers yesterday. Coach Gattis gave it to us and we sat down. I knew in those first 15-ish plays we were going to be really aggressive, so I immediately started listening to my meditation music to try to calm myself down for the next 24 hours.

MICHAEL LOCKSLEY: This generation, my meditation music. Look at that, man.

BILLY EDWARDS: Hey, whatever you've got to do to win.

MICHAEL LOCKSLEY: Amen.

BILLY EDWARDS: But I think it was good. I think we did a good job preparing the past three weeks, especially the past like week and a half diving into Auburn and what they did. I think we came out, executed it to a T.

I think some of those deeper shots, the first play of the game became -- I've got a strong enough arm, I've just got to let those things rip.

So like I said, we left some meat on the bone, but those first two drives and the defense playing the way they were in the first half, we were able to get some early momentum and carry that on to the rest of the game.

Q. What did Billy and Cam do to assert themselves in this quarterback competition you have now, and are your thoughts or opinions or anything about them changed after today?

MICHAEL LOCKSLEY: I thought first of all that there was just so much good teaching in there. That two-minute drive before the half, I know for you guys, you don't get it, but to be able to execute and then him understand we had 36 seconds, we called a time-out.

It's like, hey, you can take a shot down the field but if it's not there, throw it out of bounds, just the learning piece of that is what really excites me.

That's when I say that being able to practice and play in a game like this is just so instrumental in us being able to continue to develop. You can't get this type of experience, and that's why I always say it's a precursor to next year while also trying to finish up this season.

Q. (Indiscernible)?

MICHAEL LOCKSLEY: We've got to protect our players. Obviously I talked to Josh about just slowing down the tempo, maybe taking the air off the ball a little bit, but we still did enough with our offense to be able to evaluate the quarterback stuff.

So it's a balance between let's use some clock because the defense was playing a few snaps with the turnovers they created, but it was good work for us to be able to execute our offense and give both Billy and Cam some opportunities to learn and get game experience.

You improve by failing more than you do by winning, and we failed on -- we pass and fail on every play, and I think we learned some things when we didn't execute the way we needed to.

Q. Glen, can you walk me through that pick six and the defense's performance as a whole today?

GLEN MILLER: Overall I'd say our defense was playing fast and physical. We just wanted to come out there and play fast and impose our will. I would say with the play, I just told myself before the day, just don't try to do anything extra, just do my job, and plays will make itself. Then it happened. Just ran for my life.

MICHAEL LOCKSLEY: And then got us a penalty at the end.

Q. For either of you, everything started fast. I know you guys like to fast start, but did you feel like you were starting faster this game than some of the other games you guys have had?

BILLY EDWARDS: I would say for my personally I would think we started faster, but it's a lot different than you're playing. Those two drives for me, normally sit on the sideline, those two drives for me like went by like that.

Like I said, we always want to start fast and finish strong. Yeah, they definitely went by quicker I would say today honestly. I'm trying to remember what we even ran.

MICHAEL LOCKSLEY: Pressure post first play.

BILLY EDWARDS: And I missed it.

Q. DBs stepped up today. What did you see playing next to them?

GLEN MILLER: I seen a lot actually. I seen they wanted to play. Coming into the meetings, all of that, walk-throughs, they seemed more locked in, so they seemed like they were ready to step up and take the next step, which they did.

Q. About the helmet communication, did it seem any more distracting than normal? Was it a benefit?

BILLY EDWARDS: I think overall during the plays it was good to hear. Like when we were in pregame warmups I think maybe one of our equipment managers or maybe coach, someone came up to me and was like, hey, have you heard me on the radio? I'm like, no, I haven't heard a thing.

So that obviously caused its own little issue that we got situated early. I think overall it was good. On one of my runs down there at the goal line on I think the first or second drive, Coach Gattis is up there, and most times I think I'm thinking the same thing he's saying, but he was saying they were in like a stick coverage, kind of like a zero look, and he was like pull it, pull it, pull it.

He just confirmed what I was thinking, and then we were able to make a go. I think it was definitely a benefit. I will say it definitely felt cool getting to put my ears over -- yeah, it was good and bad with that I guess.

Yeah, it was good. It was just another cool piece of the game. The game is evolving, so we've got to evolve with it. But yeah, it was cool to use it and I think it helped out.

MICHAEL LOCKSLEY: I would agree with Billy. Sometimes too much information. The bad part for me is I was able to see a holding call that I wanted to take it on the field and show the referee, like, bro you missed this call. What are we doing?

No, it was great to have that technology. It takes some getting used to, which is why we wanted to experiment with it. I think the way we are as a developmental program it's such a cool tool to be able to immediately reinforce so that they can see it, and then also when you guys ask me stuff at the end of the game, I can't say, well I got to wait to see the film, because in between series -- and that's the hard part for me as the head coach of game management, and here I am looking at these plays.

It's a balance that I have to have and make sure we're not giving the quarterback or the safety or the center too much information that it causes paralysis by analysis.

Q. Past few months we've talked about the player-led culture and where it is. Now that you have three straight bowl wins, looking back at what's been done, reflecting, what do you say about the mark that those guys left on the program and where you're headed right now?

MICHAEL LOCKSLEY: You know, it's always -- I mean, these guys are trailblazers. When I talk about the senior group of guys that have played a part, they are trailblazers because imagine coming in and selling the vision that we sold at the time I came in and where the program was, and for kids to believe in a vision, it's just unheard of nowadays.

This is a show-me-first society that we're in, and we were selling a vision. We were selling what looked liked four years, five years in our program, and this group took the vision and played a major role in making it come to fruition.

That's why I said, like I said, the last three, four groups of seniors that have come through this program, all of the different coaches that have been a part of our program, whether they're here now and are gone, even players that just entered the portal, they all played a role in helping us establish to put Maryland football back to where people give it the respect that I think it's always deserved.

Q. You talked about the development of that position as one that you're building for the future, just what you saw --

MICHAEL LOCKSLEY: That tight end position, the tight end room is a talented room. It just was really, really young this year, and I think the two young guys you watched today, Dylan and Preston, you saw a precursor of what I think their future can be here.

Because they're both big, they're both 245, 250 pounds guys. They have the ability to block the C area. They have the ability to run. We've recruited that position and it's been a vital position in our offense.

To have those two young guys, and you throw in Szymanski, who came in in the short yardage situations that we've had all year, I like where we are at the tight end position.

I like the way that the position is being developed, and I think they both took a step forward today.

Q. Three straight bowl games for the first time in program history. What does that mean for you as the head coach? And when you took over in 2019, how do you see this fitting into what you envisioned?

MICHAEL LOCKSLEY: As I said before, the head coach gets a lot of credit, but there have been a lot of people that have played a major role in being able to create the history that's been created. Three straight bowl wins, that's a big deal.

Watching us in the locker room after winning the game today, I felt like that same energy, and I hope these guys understand, man, winning is hard to do in this day and age.

These guys up here with me and the seniors in that locker room, they have earned everything that we've gotten because nobody gives Maryland nothing. We don't get anything. I know it's a double negative. They don't give us nothing or they don't give us anything.

But our team embraces that. We like that you don't give us, that we've got to go take it, and that's the Maryland way. That's what it's all about.

Q. With Cam you weren't afraid to take some deep shots right away. Was that part of the game plan?

BILLY EDWARDS: Yeah, Coach Gattis, I think we've had great preparation. Obviously I think we've both made good strides over the last two weeks getting more reps with the ones and getting our timing down with those guys. Then when we got the openers yesterday from Coach Gattis, I think he said in front of the whole offense he was like, I got tremendous confidence in the both of you two, and the opener is reflective of that.

I think the openers -- we never run off 15 back to back to back because of certain in-game scenarios, but probably in the first 15 plays we probably had 12 pass plays and five, six of them were downfield shots.

The confidence he instilled in us, I think we both did a good job of preparing the right way that gave us the confidence to come in here and let it rip.

Cam had that really good deep ball in the post. I think he maybe missed one or two. I don't know if I connected on any deep ones, but I think we definitely had that both, and Coach Locks would say, gunslinger mentality just come in here, and if we like the structure of the defense, to take a shot.

Q. Can you just walk me through the emotions today knowing this is your last game and then going out on top?

JESHAUN JONES: It's been a great day. I was definitely sad earlier this morning and kind of just trying to take my time in walk-throughs and stuff, just kind of embracing it and taking it all in because like you said, it's my last one, my last one here with many team, with this brotherhood, so it was great to go out on top.

I didn't play the best, but it was amazing to set history here and leave my mark, three bowl games in a row, and that's amazing that it hadn't ever been done here. It's great to be a part of that, and I'm thankful for it.

Q. A lot of young guys (indiscernible). What does that say about the depth on that side of the ball?

RUBEN HYPPOLITE II: It says that we have a next-man-up mentality. Everyone on the defense knows their job and their assignment, and they know how to execute. We have a lot of young guys who take pride in making plays and being where they need to be. That's only going to be better for us moving forward.

Q. Jeshaun, during the beginning stages of the celebration, Coach Locks went over to you and you guys had a little talk. What was that about?

JESHAUN JONES: Just more so just thanking him for everything that he's kind of put up with, with myself and bringing me back, and just setting the vision that he's set for this program and the culture he's set for this program, just to see it come to fruition has been amazing, and to be a part of and be a leader in this locker room and in that building is amazing.

I felt so much love today from Terp Nation and Coach and the team and my brothers. I would not have wanted to go out another way.

Q. What was going through your head in the warmups as you're doing all those routine things for the last time?

JESHAUN JONES: Just trying to stick to the routine more so and embracing it. I was just looking at the stadium and talking to the guys, throwing with guys I wouldn't normally throw it, catching, just trying to take it all in, like enjoy it.

You don't get many of these opportunities, and I've only had three in my six years here. You have to make the most of them, and kind of preaching that to the young guys, letting them know that they're up next. Guys like Tai Felton and Kaden, they've got to lead the room. Just stuff like that.

It's been tough, honestly, and it'll be probably harder to see them leave and get on that bus because I head back to Florida.

It'll be tough, but it's been amazing. I wouldn't change it for anything in the world.

Q. Billy and Cam, both made some big throws, missed some others. What did you see from them today?

JESHAUN JONES: Like I said earlier in the week, I think they both prepared like were the one that started the whole time. This moment just showed their preparation throughout this whole season, and I feel like both of them played well.

I think Cam threw a pick, but that wasn't -- I think slipped, fell, something. I don't know, I think they both played well, and I think they both offer a lot, and you've got a transfer coming in, so I think that quarterback competition will be a good one.

Q. I know at the Media Day before the bowl game the team was talking about playing against an SEC opponent. What was it like playing against them and winning by a decently large margin in all three phases?

RUBEN HYPPOLITE II: To get a W.

Q. The new number, how long after Tarheeb decided he was going to the draft did you jump on it?

RUBEN HYPPOLITE II: Right away. I had a meeting with Coach Locksley and I'm like, hey, can I get 4, and he's like, yeah, for sure. So we made that switch, and I got the blessing from Heeb, so I was good.

Q. Why did you want to wear it?

RUBEN HYPPOLITE II: Well, a lot of great players wore 4 here, and I just wanted to keep that tradition up on defense, so that's why I switched to No. 4.

Q. Did you have an in-helmet radio?

RUBEN HYPPOLITE II: Yeah, I did.

Q. How did that go?

RUBEN HYPPOLITE II: Really the whole game we didn't get a call through there, so I didn't really experience it. But I experienced it in practice. It was good. I liked it, stuff like that. It was cool.