Luke Fickell: Wins Record Locker Room Celebration Was 'Awesome'

Cincinnati battles UCF on the road this weekend for their toughest conference test yet in 2022.

© Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

CINCINNATI — It wasn't the prettiest win for UC, but the Bearcats made history in a 29-27 victory over SMU that new all-time wins leader Luke Fickell discussed with the media on Tuesday.

Check out some of his best quotes.

On Tyler Scott’s Returning From Injury:

“I hope so. It’s Tuesday, but I would hope that Tyler’s going to be present and be able to play for us.”

On Punter Mason Fletcher’s AAC And UC Record 84-yard Punt On Saturday:

“That's not something that I've seen before. It wasn't something that was going through my head. Sometimes I get on him and say, I don't want the ball kicked 60 yards. I want the ball kicked 45 yards with a 4.5 Second hang time, so they have to fair catch it. If you want to kick it 84 [yards], then I guess we could go ahead and handle that. Sometimes you worry about those things a little bit more, and when you kick the ball 65 or 70 yards now all of a sudden, your coverage isn't nearly as good...but it was quite unique. Obviously, it worked out in our favor. But we definitely got a weapon there. And even against the wind, you know what you need to do to give us a chance and to put us in the best situation possible. But they know what our goal and our objectives are.”

On the Locker Room Record Celebration After The Game:

“Well, it was awesome. I needed it I guess, not that I needed a celebration for wins. But, in my stomach, there was this pit, when games end like they do, and the way that which you do them, and you have this vision of what it is that you want, and then you become selfish because you didn't get that vision. And not that a celebration changes it, but to see those guys not just excited about winning, but obviously what our program has done. Gave me a good shot of reality, reminding myself how hard it is to win, and you got to enjoy the things that we have created. And especially enjoy it with the people that have created them. So, I think it went far beyond however many games it is or was, as to even teach an older guy a new lesson to say a better, better enjoy what it is that we have in front of us. And if I had to learn that from some 18 to 22-year old's, I had to learn that from some 18 to 22-year old's”

On People Throughout His Football Journey Reaching Out:

“I got some text messages that were very nice. They did a nice little video. And I've said no, you can't put it out, but I think I've been overruled a little bit on that because I don't like anything that looks like we're trying to make self-promotion, but I got it from 18 to 22-year-olds. I got it from some others as well. It is just a reminder to me of all those guys that have done what it is they've done. As I said, someone's going to take the credit. It's still a part of us growing. So yes, I have heard but probably haven't responded to all this yet. So if there's anybody out there that I have responded to, I really appreciate your message but at some other things, I'm trying to get corrected first and foremost.”

On The Penalty Problems:

“It's nerve-racking. It's exhausting. It's all of the above, but it's an issue. I spent an inordinate amount of time trying to find ways that are going to help us find ways that we can be better. I Haven't done a great job and obviously haven't done a good job at finding what that balance is and some of the things that you need to do and say just yet. Again, it can get lopsided and get out of control, it can get out of hand. This was one of those ones where it did and hopefully, the realization when you can show it and talk about it as not just a staff, but as an entire team. The guys start to recognize the impact that they have, and that's the only way that I really know to try to make a change. It's not standing up there hollering and screaming, pulling guys out of games, and things like that. We've got to recognize the impact that it has on us, the stress levels that it has on us, and how it affects us.”

On UCF Dual-Threat QB John Rhys Plumlee And Facing Dual Threats In 2022:

“He is uniquely different than anybody that we have seen as far, in terms of a running quarterback. It's great that we have seen some of those situations, it is great that we have done well and great that we struggled a little bit. We have to figure out what's the best fit for us. They will do some things a little bit differently. They will adjust to things like they do because they are really good coaches and players. Their offense is going to run, whether it is the quarterback running the football or scrambling around making things happen with his feet and his arm. I think the entire first seven games help prepare you for whatever it is that you are going to see, this might be a little bit different. There might not be as many shots down the field as we prepared for last week. I like to prepare for those things. That's where some of their biggest plays have come as well. I think the whole picture of it in terms of the entire year from what we faced in week one to this past week is what helps us grow and be able to adapt and put a plan in place.”

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