Here's the postgame transcript from wide receiver Jordan Faison. Questions are paraphrased.
JORDAN FAISON:
Q: Did you think you would be standing here as the MVP of the Sun Bowl?
A: “I mean, I had no idea. I was just going throughout the plays, you know, right foot, left foot, like coach says and end up here … pretty grateful.”
Q: Can you walk us through your touchdown?
A: “Yeah, so we we’re working on that play all week for their defense. I mean, we saw the coverage that we wanted and ran the play and it worked … great call by coach [Gino] Guidugli.”
Q: When preseason camp opened, did you have enough confidence in yourself to envision something like this happening?
A: “I did have confidence. I mean, I was pretty nervous. You know, you’re coming to a Division I level so the competition’s very high … you gotta bet on yourself and keep working. No matter what happens, work comes your way.”
Q: What did you see on your catch with the defender all over you?
A: “I didn’t really see much. I see the ball in the air [and] jump for it. Steve gives me an opportunity to make a play and was able to make it.”
Q: First start for quarterback, Steve Angeli, what were your thoughts on his outing today?
A: “Me and Steve been working for a while. From camp to throughout practice, throughout this week so I mean it was pretty easy to come in having Steve at quarterback … ball’s gonna be in the spot it needs to be and you just gotta make a play on it.”
Q: What kind of impact has wide receivers coach Mike Brown had on you guys in a short amount of time?
A: “Great impact. I love him. He’s already came in [and] taught us so much. Pay attention to the small details and he harps that on us so it helps us come out and be able to perform like we do.”
Q: You had a lot of new personnel today, do you think your 55-yard reception put everybody at ease a little bit?
A: “I mean, yeah, a little bit. We came out again expecting the defense we thought and I was able to get open and catch the ball.}
Q: On the possession where you all started on the four-yard line, there were five true freshmen on the field. What does that say about where the offense can go and grow from here?
A: “The ceilings very high for us. We work day in, day out. We wanna be the best, not only for ourselves but for our teammates. Them young guys are always coming in, working [and] asking the older guys questions. Without the older guys, we wouldn’t be where we are today … so big future ahead.”
Q: Jayden Thomas played well early. How did that help you ease into things and help set the tone for the day?
A: “It helps a lot. You come in nervous, you know, first bowl game. These guys have been done it so watching him be able to go do something … it motivates you to do something right behind it. It helps a lot.”
Q: How would you describe your first bowl game experience?
A: “It was pretty awesome. I’ve never been to Texas before or El Paso so [it was] definitely different for a Florida boy but it was pretty awesome seeing all the new things. The sunsets were pretty nice out here, I like that part. And then game-wise, [to] come out here being with the fellas all week is very fun. I love my guys. Being able to come out and perform in a game is just what you work for.”
Q: To cap off this year with 10 wins, what does that mean to you personally?
A: “It means everything. You know, we went through some tough losses during the season. I wasn’t playing during those losses but I still very well felt those losses. Being able to come in and finish the season up is awesome.”