Q. So that drive DJ made to you, 37 yarder, just how elite of a throw was that?
CHIMERE DIKE: It was on the money. You saw it. It was a tight window there. Playing a one high zone. They left the seam open. He put it on the money. He has all the arm talent and the way he approaches practice every week is really good.
He prepares to make those throws and he does.
Q. How much is he growing like before our eyes so to speak?
CHIMERE DIKE: Yeah, every week. I think that when you get experience like that, you're able to watch the tape and learn from it. Especially with how detailed him and all the quarterbacks are in all their prep, you can continue to take steps forward.
I think we've seen him take strides every single week and he is playing really good football.
Q. Ball security is important. Do you think about one of the Montrell Johnson dives after the catch there, instead of finishing at the one?
CHIMERE DIKE: On that one, like obviously like after the fact you want to do that. But I knew was going to take a big hit and wanted to be able to hold on.
Definitely when you get down to the one yard line it's like teasing you about it, getting in the end zone. We were able to punch it in the next play and that's all that matters.
Q. We talked about some of those Big10 atmospheres. Have you talked to anyone on this team that has played at a 100,000 seat stadium?
CHIMERE DIKE: Yeah, talked to a couple guys on the team. B Spike was talking to me and Graham about it. Obviously SEC fans definitely love their football. It's going to be a loud environment, night game on the road.
I think that if you embrace it it can be a lot of fun. Can be an opportunity you look forward to.
Q. What's Brandon Spike's message about this game this week?
CHIMERE DIKE: Just the importance of it. We were able to sit down, all the newcomers, and he showed us a presentation on Tennessee and our rivalry so we can understand playing in college, understanding what rivalry games mean to the history of college sports.
I was leaving the game and somebody was telling me beat Tennessee about five minutes after we just got a win. So I know how much it means to this university, and obviously a lot of respect for them and their program.
Excited to go out there on Saturday and try to get a win.
Q. You alluded to the Wisconsin team a couple years ago that started I think 1-3 and 1-4. You guys have won two in a row, a little momentum now. How big of an opportunity do you view this? How would you describe the team spirits compared to two, three weeks ago?
CHIMERE DIKE: Yeah, I think this -- last couple weeks of a testament to the guy's character. When you face adversity, I think you see the true character of your locker room.
But it's just continuing to take steps forward. Last couple weeks we've had really good weeks of practice. We continue to get better.
I think it's just doing the same exact thing going into this week, getting involved in our plan and going outside and playing free.
Q. In this offense, stay up in a track meet, do you feel like the explosiveness is there? Seemed like the playmakers are there to do it.
CHIMERE DIKE: Yeah, I definitely do. I think that the one thing offensively obviously we want to execute in the second half better. When you're in conference, you saw this week there is really good teams all over.
When you're playing really good teams you have to have multiple ways to win. Mississippi State we were able to extend a little bit more. To see our defense be able to sink their teeth in and finish the game, we're a team that can get it done a lot of different areas.
I think that's huge coming down the stretch.
Q. Is this a game where it will have to -- different ways, but the offense is really going to have to step up a bit? Tennessee I mean, is averaging 70 points at home. The opponents are part of that. They average with Heupel 46 at home.
CHIMERE DIKE: Yeah, you obviously never know how a game will play out. They have a really talented team offensively and defensively. Our mindset on offense is every simple possession we have going and trying to punch it into the end zone.
You know, I think that you approach that the same every week. You to score every time you touch it.
Q. What was the team's reaction to Tennessee losing?
CHIMERE DIKE: Honestly, we haven't really talked about it. It was after. We were focusing on our game. I don't think it really matters what the opponent does the week before. You got to be able to prepare the same exact way every week with the same urgency.
This is a huge game for us being able to go on the road in the SEC. That's all we are really focused on. We are not focused on anything that happened last week at all.
Q. Wide receiver position was so banged up going into this game. How much responsibility or urgency do you and Elijah feel, and to have the game you did to deliver considering so many targets out?
CHIMERE DIKE: Yeah, we were a little banged up. I have the same approach every single week. Prepare every day the same. My mindset is every assignment and play I have I'm going to go execute, whether I'm making a play downfield or a blocking assignment.
So didn't really change my mindset. It was good to be able to step up. I think Tank Hawkins did an amazing job coming in in that moment. When you're a freshman like that in the game and come to go The Swamp your eyes can get big, and his did not at all.
Q. You know Graham as well as anybody around here. How much better is he playing now? What has he done and how much better is he playing? How would you rate him right now, his progression?
CHIMERE DIKE: Yeah, I think he's been playing extremely well. Obviously playing extremely efficient too at taking care of the football. I think he's done a great job of always having a great process, always continuing to work and get better.
But he's stays true to himself. He's a great leader. Definitely been playing some really good football.
Q. Compared to Wisconsin...
CHIMERE DIKE: Just in general. Like I mean, obviously like I think that he's grown every single year from last year to this year to Wisconsin as well.
Q. What about the energy you guys have? You definitely seem to have a little mind meld going there.
CHIMERE DIKE: I just been playing with him since I was 18 year old true freshman early enrollee. When you're running routes on air for that many years and having that many reps, you can build that trust and that rapport. We definitely have that.
The stop route he threw to me in the red zone, I think he threw it before I was even out of my break. Just having that rapport is definitely an advantage.
Q. How many snaps have you caught from him?
CHIMERE DIKE: I don't know. A good amount.
Q. Thousands?
CHIMERE DIKE: Oh, like all-time?
Q. Yeah.
CHIMERE DIKE: Yeah, couple thousand at least. Probably close to 10,000 I would say. Probably somewhere up there.
Q. And complete 9999?
CHIMERE DIKE: No, we have had more than one incompletion. I wish we were at that 99.9% incompletion percentage. We can work on that.
Q. On the scramble drill and Elijah picked him off, what did you think of that play?
CHIMERE DIKE: I saw him scramble so I was working back down my stem. He threw it and I saw Bash cross my face and I kind of stopped. Obviously made a great play on it.
I think if you can get the ball in that situation, I think you do.
So obviously that was a big play to be able to extend the play. I thought it was coming to me, too. I was a little surprised he picked it off.
Q. Would you have made the grab?
CHIMERE DIKE: Of course. Ball is in the air.
Q. What do you think (indiscernible), the fact that he is on this roll where it seems like every game he's only had two or three incompletions.
CHIMERE DIKE: I think it's a combination of things. It's a testament to his preparation throughout the week, understanding our game plan and where the ball needs to go in certain spots.
Then I've seen one of the things he mentioned before was improvements. His technique is really, really good right now. Feet is under him when he's throwing the ball and just comfortable.
Q. Tennessee coming off that loss, is it almost easier practicing this week to maybe focus in? You've got clear things on tape. Hey, we need to work on this. Versus coming in is and feeling really good about yourself, undefeated, and things start to slip?
CHIMERE DIKE: I mean, for me, doesn't really change whether you're coming off a win or loss. Obviously I can't speak for them, but obviously you feel good coming off a win, but there is also sense of urgency that comes with taking a loss.
I think that every single day at practice, being able to maximize what you can do and maximize your opportunity, time, so when it comes to Saturday, you have no hesitation, no fear.
Q. From your perspective, the second half Billy said you guys kind of sputtered. He broke it down. From your perspective, from the players, what do you think?
CHIMERE DIKE: Yeah, I mean, obviously the defense came out. I think eight and a half minute drive, and they held them to a field goal, which was a good result for us.
I think just comes down to execution. I think we got to second and one. Had a penalty. You know, we talk about controllables every week. We can't do that. Got to be able to execute.
We had two drives. We started moving the ball. Put some together and just couldn't finish. I think that's definitely something we can improve on, because later in the year we're going to need to finish those drives.
Q. As a guy who has maximized their college career in a sense, what do you think when you see younger players especially choose to opt out and not be available for the final eight games of the season? Not saying here, but it's happening elsewhere around the country.
CHIMERE DIKE: Yeah, that's their own decision. I don't really have anything to say about that. That doesn't have anything to do with what is going on.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports