University of Florida Football

Media conference

Saturday, November 2, 2024

Gainesville, Florida, USA

Chimere Dike

press conference

Georgia 34, Florida 20

Q. I'll start with DJ, of course. How devastating was the elimination, a game you were in and are still in even though he was injured? What was the feeling on the field when that happened?

CHIMERE DIKE: Yeah, it's obviously really hard. DJ is a very, very good musician. We felt like we had momentum early in the game.

But at the same time I'm proud of Aidan and the way he's developed. The best thing about his style of play was that he didn't bat an eyelid. He could see in his eyes that he was out there competing. He will continue to improve.

Q. Can you tell us a little more about Aidan, a guy who didn't get second-team reps a few weeks ago and is now facing the No. 2 team in the country? Talk about how impressed you are that the game is still close midway through the fourth quarter and he's under center?

CHIMERE DIKE: Yeah, Aidan obviously has a really good arm. What I like most about him is that he is a competitor. Loves to compete. I wasn't afraid of this big moment. We tried to rally around him. You obviously have to do better offensively. I was proud of the way he played today.

Q: Obviously Aidan doesn't have a lot of experience, despite being on the field with an experienced receiver room with you and Elijhah and even Aidan Mizell stepping up a bit. How can you help him with his transition?

CHIMERE DIKE: Yeah, I think it's everyone's job. There are things I could have done better to help him and things I can evaluate and improve next week.

I think it's just because everyone is paying attention to detail and supporting him and rallying around him.

Q. Was there any particular advice or words of wisdom you had for Aidan? This is a pretty scary situation.

CHIMERE DIKE: Uh-huh.

Q. Did you have any advice for him?

CHIMERE DIKE: I told him we all believe in him. Take it one game at a time, get out there and compete. I think that's the best thing to do at this moment. I think he handled it very well and I think he will continue to improve.

Q. Apparently the injuries just continued to pile up today. Just great misfortune, for lack of a better word. How did you try to find the energy to keep going despite all the difficulties you faced throughout the game?

CHIMERE DIKE: I think injuries are out of your control. I've never played in a game where we had so many players, but I think it shows the development of our team. I think we competed at an extremely high level.

There are no moral victories. We're at the University of Florida. We're not saying that, but I think this team is taking steps in the right direction. We can be proud of that and move on.

Q. Chim, when you look at a game like this and the rivalry in Florida, those are obviously reasons to come to Florida to play in games like this, but how does that compare in rivalry games for the Ax to play, just the comparison?

CHIMERE DIKE: It was a unique experience. I definitely think it's something very special. Obviously we have great fans in Florida and I'm just grateful to have had that moment.

You know, of course we wish it was a different end result. We can only get better and move forward.

Q. Did you take the time to look into it or was it just business?

CHIMERE DIKE: A little bit, but once you're in the game you just try to get to the best level possible.

Q. What was the mood in the dressing room afterwards and what's next for you?

CHIMERE DIKE: Yes, of course we are disappointed. You know, I felt like we had chances at the end of the game that we just didn't take advantage of. But I think we understand that we are taking steps forward, not backward.

You know, I think we'll continue to work in the future and just learn how to finish the games.

Q. What was Billy's message to you about what he saw from you today and how does he want that to be seen in Texas?

CHIMERE DIKE: Yes, similar to some of the things I repeated. No moral victories. We're at the University of Florida. Our team is currently competing at a really high level. The way we responded to some of that adversity that we experienced kind of showed the character of our team.

I think that will be huge as the season progresses.

Q. How was DJ doing emotionally and mentally?

CHIMERE DIKE: I mean, obviously I had to talk to him a little bit. Obviously you're a little upset about an injury like that. He has a great family. He has many teammates around him who support him. I know he will be more than fine.

Q. I understand that no one is making excuses. Have you ever been part of a team that suffered one wave of injuries after another?

CHIMERE DIKE: I don't think I had that many injuries in the game. We have a next man up mentality and I think the boys performed in certain situations today in a way that has never been seen before in a big game like this. It takes a lot and shows the character they have.

No. To answer your question: No, I haven't.

Q. The running game today, Jadan Baugh and Ja'Kobi, how did they do it? Do you feel like they've stepped up and tried to keep you in the game?

CHIMERE DIKE: Yes, both of these guys play and train extremely hard. Proud of the way they competed today. They went downhill and definitely kept us in the game in a lot of ways offensively.

I think if we can clean up the passing game a little bit and block in the second level, those guys are definitely guys we can lean on.