Q. As a veteran member of this unit, you guys came out firing this year. What do you think ultimately was the root of what happened on Saturday?
JALEN KIMBER: Just feel like we came out a little flat. Could have came out better and executed a little bit better, tackled better. We have to take ownership of what happened. It was unacceptable, and we're going to put our head down and keep working to move forward.
Q. Such a high energy level for the Tennessee game. What was the energy level going into Kentucky? Was it anywhere close? The same? Lower? Higher?
JALEN KIMBER: It was the same. Just a matter of executing and getting the job done honestly.
Q. What are some of the guys on your side of the ball that maybe stepped up after the game or last night when you had your team meeting or today in practice?
JALEN KIMBER: I mean, everybody really had something to say. It's just basically look at yourself in the mirror and be honest with yourself and your team as a whole. Just got to be better, take accountability for what we did.
We can't go out there and do that anymore, especially on the road. That's unacceptable. It's on us.
Q. What are some of the things this encourage you about this defense? I guess or the mentality of the locker room?
JALEN KIMBER: Something encouraging is knowing that we can be better, knowing we got another week. We still halfway through the season. We can always get better. Go watch the film and have a good mindset and not let this loss and just this performance like sit on us and dwell on us.
Got to keep moving forward and take accountability of what we did wrong and fix it and keep moving forward.
Q. One turnover in five games. (Indiscenible) any way can be more opportunistic in that regard?
JALEN KIMBER: Yeah, we can always get better in that field. Turnovers wins games. Turnover margin, going to lose the game. So getting more turnovers. Trying to get the ball out and just finding those third downs, that's what we got to improve on.
Q. Last year there were a lot. Is there a randomness to it, something you guys can kind of build on?
JALEN KIMBER: Yeah, you can work on everything. Turnovers is something that you work on. Stripping the ball out. You know, sack fumbles, interceptions. You got to capitalize on those things when you get the opportunity.
Q. (Regarding the end zone.)
JALEN KIMBER: I just seen the ball and tried to jump on it. I ain't know what happened. I just seen the ball roll. I was like, if you don't jump on it and it was actually a fumble and they pick it back up it's a touchdown regardless. I just tried to jump on the ball because I seen it rolling. Tried to make a play.
Q. What was Coach Armstrong's message?
JALEN KIMBER: Like I said, just got to fix what we can fix and control what we can control and keep moving forward. Coach Armstrong has a lot of belief in us and he thinks we can play better and we know we can play better.
We just got to put our head down and work.
Q. Only gave up, what, 69 yards passing; is that what it was. Something like that?
JALEN KIMBER: Yeah.
Q. It wasn't much.
JALEN KIMBER: Yeah.
Q. Nine for 20. Can you assess that part of the defense? This year coming in this game, I mean, one catch for six yards yourself. Your play and the secondary's play in general.
JALEN KIMBER: Yeah, we didn't give up much in the air, but if we see they're not passing the ball we got to come up and help in the run game, support the run game. Just got to make adjustments. Just because they don't pass the ball that doesn't mean anything really.
We still gave up too many yards as a whole.
Q. How tough were that first drive in particular? How tough was that for you to watch on replay, maybe your tackling?
JALEN KIMBER: It was tough, but like I said, you got to take ownership. It is what it is at this point. I can't go back and fix it, so you got to work on the things that I can get better at, my flaws, and just keep moving forward.
Q. How out of the character did that feel for you?
JALEN KIMBER: I mean, it was pretty out of character. But like I said, it is what it is. It happened. Can't change it.
Q. What was Jason's reaction in the moment? Did he just move on to the next play. Was he bummed out about playing like that? You talk to him at all?
JALEN KIMBER: Yeah, we talked about it. I'm pretty sure he's bummed because missed opportunity. During the game you can't dwell on things. You have a next-play mentality, so just keep moving forwards. You let something dwell on you for the rest of the game it can affect you.
Q. (Indiscernible.) Step up in his place. What have you seen from him?
JALEN KIMBER: Really just embrace the moment, take it for what it is, keep his head down and keep grinding like he has been doing. He's been doing really good. He has a big role to fill and so just keep working and doing what he's being told to do. Keep grinding in practice and embrace the moment.
Q. Back to the passing where was going with it, one dimensional. They weren't passing the ball. How frustrating is that kind of a situation when you got a team you're kind of forcing them to do one thing?
JALEN KIMBER: I mean, it is -- that's football. If you take away one thing they're going to do another. Just got to make adjustments and just control what you can control. They're not going to pass the ball, we got to support the run. If they're going to pass the ball, got to defend the pass. That's just what it is.
Q. What wasn't adjusted?
JALEN KIMBER: Really just like tackling really. That's what it is. That's simple. Just didn't tackle well. Didn't do what we needed to do in the run game.
Q. What is it about this team that makes you feel that last year was an aberration, that you're going to be so much better?
JALEN KIMBER: Just the leadership and the accountability. You know, everybody is just looking theyself -- that's really what it is. Everybody has to look theyself in the mirror and say what we put on the field wasn't unacceptable. I feel like everybody really understands that and is taking control.
Like just got to do better. That's just what it is.
Q. Was that mood on the plane an the way back?
JALEN KIMBER: Yeah.
Q. Kind of pissed off?
JALEN KIMBER: Yeah, everybody is pissed off. Like I said, it's in the past now. Just got to worry about Vandy and keep moving forward.
Q. Sorry to take you back in the past again, but Vandy last year was a pretty big win for them. How much does that fuel you guys? Not that you need any more after a loss like that.
JALEN KIMBER: That's the answer to your question. Last year should have no dictate on what we do. If last week wasn't enough for us, it is what it is.
Q. What's it like running up against a matchup (indiscernible.)
JALEN KIMBER: He's a good overall receiver. He can run routes, real quick in and out of breaks and things like that. If you're not on pointe, Andy, he can slip away from you.
Q. What are some things in pressure?
JALEN KIMBER: Andy has good speed and route running. He knows how to run the route. Somebody that's not on pointe on the defensive side of the ball, for somebody that knows how to run the route, they could have a real problem.
Q. What do you like about the Gatormade program?
JALEN KIMBER: Just how they have opportunities for us outside of football. You know, everything is not always about football, especially like things like this.
You can get away from the football and just learn about things. Like learn about yourself, learn other things about football, things like that.
So that's what's good about Gatormade honestly.
Q. Did you do a trip?
JALEN KIMBER: No, I didn't do a trip.
Q. Are you going to?
JALEN KIMBER: Yeah, I probably will if the opportunity presents itself.
Q. People mention making adjustments at halftime. Do ya'll make adjustments like that? Did you make any Saturday or just stick with the plan and execute it better?
JALEN KIMBER: No, we made adjustments, but if you make adjustments and still going to perform how you perform, nothing is going to change.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports