University of Florida Football

Media conference

Saturday November 2, 2024

Gainesville, Florida, USA

Chimeric Dike

Press conference

Georgia 34, Florida 20

Ask. Obviously I started with DJ. How devastating was that going out, a game you were in and still involved in, while he was injured? What was the feeling on the field when that happened?

CHIMERE DIKE: Yeah, it’s obviously very tough. DJ is a very, very good player. We felt like we had momentum early in the game.

But at the same time I am proud of Aidan and the way he has progressed. What I liked most about the way he played was that he didn’t back down. He could see in his eyes that he was competing. He will keep getting better.

Q: Can you tell us a little about Aidan, a guy who didn’t get second-team reps a few weeks ago and is now playing the No. 2 team in the country? Tell me how impressed you are that the game is still close midway through the fourth, with the score tied under center?

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

Q. Obviously Aidan doesn’t have a lot of experience, even though he came on the field with an experienced receiver room, while you and Elijhah and even Aidan Mizell step up a little bit. How can you help him through his transition?

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

I think it’s just all attention to detail, supporting him and rallying around him.

Q: Did you have any specific advice or words of wisdom for Aidan? That’s a pretty scary situation to be in.

CHIMERE DIKE: Uh-huh.

Q. Did you have any advice for him?

CHIMERE DIKE: I told him we all believe in him. Play it one piece at a time and go out and compete. I think that’s the best you can do at that moment. I think he’s handled it extremely well, and I think he’ll continue to get better.

Q. It’s clear that today, injuries just kept piling up. Just a lot of bad luck, for lack of a better word. How did you try to find the energy to keep going despite all the hardships you faced as the game progressed?

CHIMERE DIKE: I think injuries are something you have no control over. I’ve never played in a game where we had so many, but I think this shows the growth of our team. I think we were competing 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. That is something we can be proud of and move forward with.

Ask. Chim, looking at a game like this, the Florida rivalry, obviously the reason you come to Florida is to play in games like this, but how does this compare to playing for the Ax in rivalry games, just the comparison?

CHIMERE DIKE: It was a unique experience. I certainly think it’s very special. Split down the middle, we obviously have great fans in Florida, and I’m just grateful to have had this moment.

You know, obviously we wish it was a different end result. All we can do is keep getting better and moving forward.

Q. Did you take the time to absorb it or was it all about business?

CHIMERE DIKE: A little bit, but once you get into the game you just try to execute at the highest level.

Q. What was the mood in the dressing room afterwards and how do you move forward?

CHIMERE DIKE: Yes, of course we are disappointed. You know, I felt like we had opportunities 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 and not backward.

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

Question: What was Billy’s message to you about what he saw from you today and how he wants it to be seen in Texas?

CHIMERE DIKE: Yeah, similar to some of the things I’ve been repeating. No moral victories. We’re at the University of Florida. Our team is currently competing at a very high level. The way we responded to some of those adversities we had was something that showed the character of our team.

I think it will be huge to have that as we go through the season.

Q. What was DJ like emotionally and mentally?

CHIMERE DIKE: I mean, obviously I need to talk to him. You’re obviously a little upset about an injury like that. He has a wonderful family. He has a lot of teammates around him who support him. I know he is doing more than well.

Q. No one makes excuses, I understand that. Have you ever been part of a team that has suffered one injury after another?

CHIMERE DIKE: I don’t think I’ve had that many injuries while playing. We have a next-man-up mentality, and I think guys today in certain situations have gone a step further than before in a big game like this. It costs a lot and shows the character they have.

No. To answer your question: no, I didn’t.

Ask. Today’s run game, Jadan Baugh and Ja’Kobi, how did they — do you feel like they stepped up and tried to keep you guys in the game?

CHIMERE DIKE: Yeah, those two guys play and practice extremely hard. Proud of the way they competed today. They went downhill and they certainly kept us on the attack in a lot of ways in the game.

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