Postgame quotes from CSU vs. Florida

Photo by Ryan Burns

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Postgame quotes from Charleston Southern Head Coach Jay Mills and starting QB A.J. Toscano

Head Coach Jay Mills

On getting the opportunity to face off with the top-ranked team in the country:
“We can say that we played an outstanding team, one of the better teams in the country if not the best team in the country and a team that may be in the discussion by the end of the season as far as the best teams of the decade and even of all time.”

On what pleased him about his team’s performance:
“I think the thing that impressed me about our guys was that they played with great determination, they didn’t flinch. We went eyeball to eyeball and left it all on the field. We showed great perseverance against overwhelming odds.”

On taking positives from a loss:
“I told them the scoreboard is just one measure of success, but being able to persevere and overcome obstacles is important as well. Perseverance develops character.”

On the hospitality the Bucs received from Florida:
“We’re so thankful to the University of Florida for giving us this opportunity to play them. We’re thankful for the first-class treatment we got from everybody associated with the University. The Florida team has first-class athletes, but they are also young men of character.”

On spending the week in the national media spotlight:
“I’m grateful for the attention we received this past week. It was unlike any week our university has ever had. Through that attention, I think we glorified God through our actions.”

On the atmosphere at The Swamp:
“The crowd noise didn’t die down throughout the entire game. It was just an awesome atmosphere. Whether they’re cheering for you or cheering against you, our guys have never been a part of that before and it was a great experience.”

On his team’s offensive execution:
“Outside of some trouble with the crowd noise, I think our offense was close to achieving what we are capable of achieving. We moved the ball well. We didn’t get the ball into the end zone, and that is a disappointment, but I think we come away with some confidence on offense that we can move the ball with consistency.”

QB A.J. Toscano

On getting to play at Florida:
“It was a fun experience. Like a lot of guys on our team, I’ve never played in anything close to this kind of experience, so for me it was just fun.”

On whether or not the team was intimidated by Florida:
“A lot of people asked me before the game if we were scared or nervous, and I didn’t see that in any of us. I know I wasn’t. We were confident coming in because we knew we could compete with these guys.”

On losing the game:
“It’s not the best feeling, but like Coach said, it’s not always about the scoreboard. Offensively, I think we come out of this game with a lot of confidence.”

On how his offense performed:
“We came out and moved the ball against one of the top, if not the top defense in the nation, and there’s not much more you can ask for.”

On the focus his team maintained after falling behind:
“Florida’s offense scored pretty quickly on their first drive, but I looked at our offense and all of the guys were ready to get back out (on the field). That gave me confidence to keep fighting.”