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Nick Saban, Alabama
On 35-17 win over No. 20 Wisconsin: “You know, a lot of good things in the game today. Thought we played well in the line of scrimmage. We kind of dominated the line of scrimmage, were able to stop their run. I thought we played really well defensively. Didn’t get the turnovers like we wanted. Never got off the field always on third down like we wanted. But I thought our guys really competed and played hard, and I was really proud of the way we came out, especially in the second half on both sides of the ball and kind of dominated the game. I thought that was a big difference in the game.”
Bret Bielema, Arkansas
On QB Brandon Allen’s big day in win over UTEP: “He just had a control and a presence out there. I thought he was in control the entire time.”
Gus Malzahn, Auburn
On 31-24 win over Louisville in Georgia Dome: “The atmosphere was unbelievable. You know, it’s like a home game. I really appreciate our fans coming out. It was a hard‑fought victory, and we thought it would be. Louisville is a very good team, and we got up and we held on, and our guys found a way to win. We made some mistakes, obviously, and really in all three phases, but we also did some good things, and the great thing about this team is we’re young in a lot of areas, we’re putting in a new defense, got a lot of new guys touching the ball and we found a way to win, so I’m excited, and I’m excited about our team.”
Jim McElwain, Florida
On coaching his first game for the Gators: “I wanted our team to come out and may prove something to themselves; that it’s OK to go out there and play hard and make some plays. Attention to detail and understanding the importance of practice and why we do things, I think there are a lot of things we’re going to be able to point to on video and say, ‘This is the why. This is why we harp on little things every single day.’ For the most part, I thought we played a good, clean game.”
Mark Richt, Georgia
On the Bulldogs rushing attack in the weather-shortened win over UL-Monroe: “We believe in running the ball and we think we do a great job of it. Today was all about execution. … We’re blessed that all our tailbacks stayed healthy in camp. They practiced extremely well. We have faith in their ability to do whatever it takes to make the offense go. We hope they continue to stay healthy and continue to share the load.”
Mark Stoops, Kentucky
On opening the season with a win in front of a sellout crowd at renovated Commonwealth Stadium: “We felt a big obligation to play a good football game and win this game. So I’m not going to let the fact that it got a little sloppy in the second half take away from that. It’s a victory. We’re always going to be grateful for victories. It was a good start. But I’m just proud of everybody and just appreciative of everybody’s support.”
Les Miles, LSU
On wanting to play the game against McNeese State that was ultimately canceled due to inclement weather (in true Les Miles fashion): “The need to play was sincere.”
Dan Mullen, Mississippi State
On his team’s uneven performance in 34-16 win over Southern Miss: “We’ve got a lot of things we have to work on … We did a lot of good things, and a lot of bad things.”
Gary Pinkel, Missouri
On injuries to RB Russell Hansbrough and C Evan Boehm in 34-3 win over Southeast Missouri: “Those are the spots that are obviously so critical to success and we have a shot with two of those guys. Hopefully we will get them back, we don’t know when. Evan came in and played the first half and we got him out. But that is also the sense of urgency to get people ready to play.”
Hugh Freeze, Ole Miss
On emptying the bench in a 76-3 win over UT-Martin: “It was a good first day for us. UT-Martin head coach Jason Simpson is a great friend of mine. The score was a little lopsided. I told Simpson afterwards that I am not sure what I could have done differently, and he was great. To be excited for all of our young kids to get in and make plays, and to see them enjoying the game of football, it is very rewarding. This game is a grind and I am just really happy that all of them could get in. They were able to get some quality minutes that they will need as the season goes on.”
Steve Spurrier, South Carolina
On beating North Carolina 17-13: “I think the football gods smiled on the Gamecocks. Coach Hoke and all of the defensive coaches did a good job keeping them (from scoring touchdowns). We’re very fortunate, have a lot to correct. I think North Carolina is a good team, I think they are going to beat a lot of people.”
Butch Jones, Tennessee
On what defined the Vols’ 59-30 win over Bowling Green: “A number of story lines, I thought our special teams, our return game really flipped field position, gave us a spark, so I thought the return game was big. Defensively, we did a great job of third down, 4-for-18, but then not following it up on fourth-down conversions, allowing them to convert three times. We took two scores off the board, which we can’t do that as the season progresses. You can’t do that at all. But I thought we were able to control the line of scrimmage, run the football, and I was really proud of the offensive line and the backs, and even the wideouts. We do have to get some of those holding calls corrected.”
Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M
On beating No. 15 Arizona State: “Somebody knew something. We weren’t ranked, but we were favored. Somebody was right and somebody was wrong. I don’t understand it.”
Derek Mason, Vanderbilt
On losing to Western Kentucky: “I’d like to give credit where credit is due. Western Kentucky made plays when they needed to make plays and came out with a victory. You can’t turn the ball over twice in the red zone. We had a missed field goal opportunity and missed defensive opportunities.”
Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.
