Q. Going to watch Michigan State and Ohio State this weekend?
TERADJA MITCHELL: Most definitely.
Q. Do you follow Ohio State or That Team Up North?
TERADJA MITCHELL: Team Up North.
Q. (Indiscernible) A veteran guy, leader even though you're new, I'm sure you've established yourself. What has been the message after some of these kind of heartbreakers? You've had a few of them now.
TERADJA MITCHELL: We've got to use these losses as lessons. We're going to face adversity. All through life you're going to face adversity. It's important for us as a team to make sure we respond. That's one thing I can say about this team; we're going to continue to put our best foot forward and continue to respond.
Q. What do you think about (indiscernible) some of the these games with some of the adversity?
TERADJA MITCHELL: I think at times we've shown effort. And at times we can get better in that aspect. That's where it comes in practice. We've got to continue to practice hard and continue to go out there and understand what our purpose is in all this.
Q. Seems like the team doesn't -- I don't want to say "mail it in" -- to you guys -- I'm not disrespecting you guys saying that, but some guys might get frustrated and not put their best foot forward. It seems like that didn't happen.
TERADJA MITCHELL: That's what happens. When you lose, you face adversity, frustration, always going to come into play. That's a natural human element. Like I said, that's where we together as a team, as leaders and with a younger team, we have to make sure we emphasize we have to keep plugging away -- it's a process.
Sometimes people are so focused on the results when it's the process that gets the results that's what matters. We've got to continue to practice as hard as we can and put our best foot forward. When the came comes, we play well.
Q. How difficult has it been for you because you've probably been part of more losing games here at Florida than you were in four years at Ohio State?
TERADJA MITCHELL: It's difficult because we put in so much work here and to not get the results obviously it's very frustrating as players. But, like I said, it all comes back to how we respond as a team. That's one thing I can say this team is going to -- we're going to continue to practice hard and go out there Saturday and put our best foot forward, keep chugging away.
Q. FSU is a physical team on both lines of scrimmage. Just the challenge of that? And tackling has been up and down. How important will that be this week in practice, just one last time kind of emphasize that?
TERADJA MITCHELL: We have to reiterate on tackling and pursuit to the ball. That's going to be important, one of the keys to win in this game. We have to pursue to the ball. Have to be a bend-but-don't-break defense. Even when we get a big play we have to get the guy on the ground and live to see the next down.
Q. (Indiscernible) about their offense, from what film study you've seen?
TERADJA MITCHELL: Very talented team. The quarterback, even with their backup quarterback, I think he's pretty solid player. Great running backs, great receivers.
It's going to be a matchup game for us. Like I said, we've got to make sure we prepare ourselves Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, so we can play fast on Saturday.
Q. Anything you can put your finger on defensively? Obviously September was a great start, that month, and since then it's kind of dipped. And I guess you guys have taken a lot of slings and arrows. But what have been some of the breakdowns, what can you get fixed in this final week?
TERADJA MITCHELL: I think it all comes down to consistency. We can't be up and down. We can't rock the roller coaster. We've got to stay consistent in our play. We've got to sustain -- the same way we were playing at the beginning the season we have to sustain that. That's what it comes down to, consistency at the end of the day.
Q. What's your take on that fourth-and-17? What happened?
TERADJA MITCHELL: It comes down to execution. We have to execute as players. Our coaches, they do their best to put us in the best position to make plays, and as players at the end of the day it comes down to execution. Gotta execute in those moments.
Q. Is that part of the legacy you guys want to leave here, the guys who are leaving after this season, for the young players, just what you're talking about the effort, just staying the course?
TERADJA MITCHELL: Most definitely. Like I said it all comes down -- you're going to face adversity in life. It's just part of life. I feel like the adversity you go through, it does not define you. The way you respond to the adversity is what defines you.
I think that's important for our younger players and leaders we have now. That's the most important part we have to keep responding.
Q. There's a lot (indiscernible) motivated going into this game. What tops the list for you in terms of motivation?
TERADJA MITCHELL: This is a rivalry game. There is so much history in this game. We understand as players the legacy that was put forth from the former Gators. And we understand there's a standard we have to play to, especially for this game. The guys are up, and we're ready to go again. Let's do it.
Q. What's it like, Nick broached it, you played Michigan-Ohio State and now Florida-Florida State?
TERADJA MITCHELL: I'm blessed. Grateful to play for two prestigious programs and to be able to play in games like this. I'm excited.
Q. Is this your second senior day?
TERADJA MITCHELL: Yes. Second senior day (laughter).
Q. Cry at the first one?
TERADJA MITCHELL: I held back tears. I held back tears for sure.
Q. What has been your experience like this year, because Ricky has been here a couple and said he really almost was surprised by how well he fit. What's been your experience? You haven't been here that long.
TERADJA MITCHELL: I love the people here. That's why I came to Florida. Coach Napier put together a great staff. I love everybody on the staff. I love the players. I love the camaraderie. I feel I've developed brothers over the past 12 months. I'm excited to go out there again and play with my brothers this Saturday.
Q. No taking joy in the Team Up North struggles, but with all that's gone on up there, what feedback have you got from your Ohio State chums about that?
TERADJA MITCHELL: I just know those guys they're excited. They're ready for the game. I just talked to a couple of them last night. It's a big week for them. They're excited to play.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports