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Kenyan Drake – December 12, 2018 Download PDF version

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

RB Kenyan Drake

(What do you guys need to do to turn things around on the road?) – “We just have to play complementary football – offense and defense. We have to make sure that we stay on schedule on the offensive side and put ourselves in good position on third-and-short. They have a great defense up there in Minnesota so (we have to) make sure we don’t make any mistakes and capitalize on good field position and, when we get in the red zone, score touchdowns.”

(Is it mostly a mindset playing on the road?) – “It’s just really going in there and controlling the crowd. Anywhere you go, it’s going to be hostile territory. They have great athletes on defense. It doesn’t matter who you play against on the road. You just have to minimize the damage and play complementary football.”

(Did you see any of their game Monday night?) – “I did not, actually. I saw the score. I saw it was a low-scoring game until the end. Like I said, they have a great defense obviously. They do a great job corralling to the ball (and) getting turnovers. They have a lot of great athletes on that side of the ball, so it’s interesting this week.”

(What is the confidence level of this team right now knowing you still have a shot to make the playoffs?) – “We’re just taking it one game at a time. We have Minnesota this week – a quality opponent. That’s our mindset right now, just preparing for them.”

(As a general question, outside of obvious speed, why do you think you’re so successful in the open field? Is it vision, anticipation?) – “I can’t do it by myself. There’s a lot of great guys on this offense that pick up key blocks in timely situations. We practice week in and week out putting ourselves in great position to create open lanes and things like that. It’s the people with the ball in their hands job to make people miss. That’s what we get paid to do. That’s what I pride myself in.”

(You’re a pretty mature rounded guy and Alabama Head coach Nick Saban is known as a guy who can focus. Is there anything in your background either playing for Saban or your personality that allows you to refocus after an incredible career moment?) – “I appreciate you saying that I’m a mature grounded person. A lot of people in my past probably wouldn’t look at me and agree with that. (laughter) Everybody has to grow up some day. I made mistakes as a kid. I’m only 24, so I’m going to continue to become the man I want to be. To answer your question, it’s about being where your feet are. It was a great play and a great opportunity to make a great play and put ourselves in a position to continue to get our goal of making the playoffs. Now our focus is on a great quality opponent in Minnesota.”

(Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban and Head Coach Adam Gase would both say move on to the next game. Does that mentality enter you mind the last couple of days? ‘Okay, it’s time to the next thing as great as that was.’) – “Yeah, it’s always the 24-hour rule. We still have three critical games left, obviously with the next game being the most important because it’s the next one and (against) a quality opponent. That’s just our main focus and we’re looking forward to continuing to grind this week to put ourselves in the best position to win this game.”

(Does this team have more miracles in it?) – “We just hope we have more wins. I hope it doesn’t come down to anymore miracles because I don’t think my heart can take any more of that. (laughter) We’ll continue to stay grounded and win games against quality opponents. ”

(You do see yourself as being more mature than you were when you first got here, do you not?) – “Yeah, I would hope so. I made some mistakes or, in general, just trying to move on in different aspects or year-in and year-out situations. Things that I’ve learned, I try not to make the same mistakes twice. I think that’s how anybody tries to mature as a man and as a person in general. I look forward to continuing this maturation process.”

(How much did your phone blow up and was there any particular message that sticks out more than others after Sunday?) – “My family was proud of me, so that was the most important thing. They’ve been with me obviously from the beginning, so making them proud is the most important thing in my life.”    

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