POSTGAME QUOTES: No. 25 App State 48, Troy 13
Head coach Eliah Drinkwitz
Opening statement:
"I'm proud of our guys. We came out and just played really fast and started fast. We knew we wanted to come out and set the tone of the game and send a message that we were here to play. Getting homefield advantage was something we felt strongly about wanting, and I'm proud of our guys. I'm especially proud of
Zac Thomas with the way he played. I know it was a special game for him coming back to his home state and being a captain."
On earning right to host Sun Belt title game:
"It's the culmination of a lot of hard work and what we've worked for. It's why you put in the blood, sweat and tears, so that you can have something special at your home place."
On the big-play touchdowns early on:
"I think it just gives the whole team confidence. Kind of announce your presence with authority type of deal."
On Thomas Hennigan's big game:
"Feed the studs. It's a player's game, and I felt like we had a matchup there with Thomas and Virgil. They were depleted in the secondary, so we were trying to attack that."
On Desmond Franklin's interception following his near-pick:
"It was a heck of a play. I was proud of him — his first interception of the season, but I'm going to be all over him for ball security."
On defensive pressure:
"We were able to mix it up. Coach Roof and the staff came up with some new looks for them to create some issues. We knew they were going to be without their center, who makes their protection calls, so that was going to be a tough task for them. We left a lot of sacks out on the field. We have to do a much better job of tackling."
Junior receiver Thomas Hennigan
On his big game:
"Any time as a receiver you get that many targets, you're always going to be happy for the opportunity. I've had a couple big games in my career, but I think I proved to a lot of people tonight that I can be that every-down receiver and be that guy you can always go to in the offense."
On gaining confidence early in the year:
"I hate having Corey not out there. He's a tremendous player, but when he went down last week, I immediately thought that someone has to step up in our room. I kind of put that on myself and also challenged guys like Malik, Keishawn and Virg to step up as well. I think everyone in the receiving room played to their potential."
Junior quarterback Zac Thomas
On hosting the Sun Belt title game:
"Any time you can get a big-time game like that in front of your home crowd, it does measures, not only for you as a player, but for your fans. What we've done this year, we've done some great things, and getting it back in Boone for our fans, it's a credit to them for showing out whenever it's been bad weather. We're just ready to get back to The Rock for this championship game."
On big early plays:
"I think it gives you confidence. Tonight was the first time as an offense that we really clicked on all cylinders. We were running the ball, and we were throwing it when we wanted to. We couldn't be stopped. On third down, we're 10-for-12. That's just remarkable as an offense. I think it was a big confidence booster, after losing Corey last week, to come out this week distributing the ball to all the playmakers and letting them make plays."
Senior safety Josh Thomas
On winning close to his hometown of Montgomery:
"Coming back to Alabama for my last regular-season game, I couldn't' ask for a better end to the regular season. Having all my family get to watch me again like they did in high school, with all my high school friends coming, it just meant the world to me to come back here and see all the support I have. Thank you to everybody."
On getting pressure on Troy's QB:
"He's a really good player. That was one of our main focuses, to get pressure on him and not let him sit back there and just hold the ball, because he can pick a defense apart when he has a lot of time. Getting to him, making him feel the pressure, playing tight coverage, those were our main goals."
