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Day Two of SEC Football Media Days is in the books as South Carolina, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, and Tennessee all took turns on the podium speaking about their programs.
Steve Spurrier, head coach of the University of South Carolina, began the proceedings. The Gamecocks are coming off its third-straight 11-2 campaign, finishing fourth in both major polls, the highest national finish in school history. Spurrier says he wants his team to continue to dominate.
“Our goals have been to win the SEC, win the division, win a bunch of games, win the bowl game, and finish in the top ten. The last several years we have managed everything except winning the division and winning the SEC.”
Spurrier says the key to their success is to win tight games.
“We have to continue winning close games. If you win most of your close games then you can win 11 (games). That is how we have done it the last three years.”
After South Carolina finished with their comments, Dan Mullen, head coach of Mississippi State spoke about his team. Mullen is entering his sixth season as head coach of the Bulldogs and finished last season with a 7-6 (3-5 SEC) record. Mullen says he is looking to build off last season’s late success.
“I’m excited about getting into this season with our team from last year with three straight wins. That was the first time that happened in a long time at Mississippi State. It gave us a lot of momentum coming into this off-season right now. Our guys are anxious about getting back out on the field, anxious to get back out there and go play after how positive we finished last year.”
Dak Prescott, a junior dual-threat quarterback for Mississippi State, also discussed his team; he leads all returning SEC quarterbacks in rushing touchdowns and yards. Prescott says it nice to be known, but he has his own expectations he will try to meet this season.
“I have high expectations for myself. It’s nice to know other people are starting to notice and say my name but that doesn’t really mean anything to me. I’m going to continue to do what I do, work hard, get better, and be the best quarterback I can.”
Texas A&M was up next and head coach Kevin Sumlin spoke about the direction of his team after its 9-4 last season finish. The Aggies won the Cotton Bowl in Sumlin’s first season at A&M, followed by the Chick-Fil-A Bowl last season. Sumlin says his team is heading in the right direction.
“We haven’t accomplished everything we’ve wanted to accomplish over the last couple years but I think there is no doubt that we are headed in the right direction. Our university is giving us the opportunity, the means, and the support to put us on the track to be extremely successful. ”
Tennessee was the last team to attend SEC Football Media Days on Tuesday with its head coach, Butch Jones. Jones is heading into his second season with the Volunteers, with his signature win coming last October over the Gamecocks. Jones says he has high expectations for his young roster.
“We talk about the power of one; one unity of purpose, one common commitment, taking it one day at a time, one practice at a time, and one snap at a time. This is because we are going to be so youthful. I think they can see the progress that we are making. If we continue to focus on that process and continue to work to get better each and every day, we’re going to like where this football team ends up.”
On Wednesday, Missouri, LSU, and Arkansas will be at the podium.
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