CFP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: ALABAMA VS GEORGIA

January 5, 2022

James Cook

Lucas Oil Stadium

Georgia Bulldogs

Press Conference

Q. Wanted to ask, Stetson got a lot of criticism this year. He seems to have done a pretty good job kind of not listening to the noise and staying focused. Even heard he's had a flip phone which might play into that a little bit. But wanted to ask you what you can say about your quarterback's focus and poise in those situations where some people don't believe in him.

JAMES COOK: I mean, he just kind of ignored it and blocked it out. Did a ton of work every day to lead us to a national championship. That's what he's been doing all year and all season long.

Q. If I'm not mistaken, you've played for three different offensive coordinators while you've been at Georgia. And I just wonder if you could sort of give us some perspective on what it's like to play for Todd Monken. What's maybe different about him?

JAMES COOK: I mean, what's different about him? He want all the little details right. He doesn't want no -- he don't want you running the route on air. He want it to be perfect. Like, in a game, if you get this look, he wants you to make it like you're in the game. So that's what's kind of different about him because he was in the NFL, I guess, probably and they do things a little different. So it's just about the little details and things like that.

Q. What was it like sitting out the bowl game last year and seeing your position coach with your jersey number? I'm sure that was emotional and very difficult. And then kind of part two of that is, as you're getting ready for this game, how much is your father kind of on your mind?

JAMES COOK: I mean, I try not to think about that as much. But I mean him wearing my jersey last year, that was special. And I appreciate it from the whole Georgia staff, everybody around here who texted me and gave me encouraging words. I mean, just everybody around here just made me feel special.

Q. How much did that factor in deciding to come back to try to win a national championship? How big was that?

JAMES COOK: I mean that was big because I had something to work for. And why I came back is because I've never been to a national championship. And so I just wanted it to be different and come back.

Q. Working on a story on Brock Bowers. When I mention the name Brock Bowers to you, what comes to your mind?

JAMES COOK: Oh, he just put his head down and work. Don't really say too much. Gives you all he got on the field. And I mean just a great brother, a great teammate.

Q. I don't know if we asked you this the other night, I wasn't in on that interview, but how many times did you all run that pass with -- that trick play with Kenny, half back pass? And were any other running backs considered in that decision -- you or Daijun or Zeus [phonetic]?

JAMES COOK: No, that's just play. We worked on it all week leading up to the game. And we ran it in a game.

Q. What can you say about your relationship with your brother? And what type of conversation do you have going into a game like this with him obviously excelling at the running back craft as well?

JAMES COOK: I mean, he really just tells me to stay locked in all year and get what I deserve. And that's where I'm at now. So he just tell me keep working and my time is going to come. And my team is here.

So I've got to make the most of it because you only get one of these opportunities. And you can say this is my last one. So I've got to make the most of it.

Q. We've seen at times Georgia backs maybe not get into a rhythm; there's so much substituting. I know Zamir gets the bulk of the carries. You seem to have found a way to flip the switch when you get into a game. Is that something you have to learn as a running back? Because we hear so much about the need to get rhythm and yet they put you in there and you're kind of like the microwave heating up fast.

JAMES COOK: I just try to make my opportunity when I get the ball. Like me, when I think about -- when I get the ball, I think about going 80 every time. So it don't make me no different who get the ball.

As long as I keep making my opportunities count when I get it, then that's going to work. I don't really need to get into the groove, really. As soon as I get the ball, I make all my opportunities count.

Q. Wanted to ask you about the SEC Championship loss. What were your emotions after that game? We've heard from some of the other guys. But can you take me back to how you were feeling immediately when that game was over?

JAMES COOK: I knew we had another shot myself and I knew we'd get another opportunity. When we came out of the practice there, everybody came to work, we got that bad taste out of our mouth on Friday.

Q. Talk about against Alabama's running defense. They controlled Cincinnati so much on New Year's Eve. What do you have to do to get that running game established? Because they were pretty decent up front.

JAMES COOK: Just stay focused on what we've been doing all year. We've got the guys up front, too. We've just got to stay physical like we've been doing all year and come and play.

Q. You've been making these sort of plays since your freshman year. What's the difference between the James Cook we see now and the guy that all other teammates were talking about your freshman year?

JAMES COOK: I mean, I really kind of proved myself back then because I had a lot of guys in front of me. But now I think I let it loose because I'm older now and I know what to do. I'm experienced and I'm a vet. So I just kind of let it loose this year than working all season to get to this point now.

Q. You mentioned your brother. How much motivation is that, growing up to have an older brother doing everything he's done and he's obviously in the NFL doing everything you hope to do, how much has that been a motivational factor during your life?

JAMES COOK: That is a motivational factor just knowing that you've got an older brother in the NFL. And that's someplace you want to be some day. So that just kind of make me wanted to work extra hard knowing that I had an older brother in the league and is a baller. That played a factor too.

Q. Nolan talks about leaving a legacy and potentially being a Georgia legend, is that something that the team is embracing heading into this game?

JAMES COOK: No doubt. We just wanted to do something and be special that nobody can take away from us and to be here for like we come back they can bring us up and not the 1980 team. That is just special just winning the national championship here at Georgia.