CFP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: ALABAMA VS GEORGIA

January 5, 2022

Phidarian Mathis

Lucas Oil Stadium

Alabama Crimson Tide

Press Conference

Q. I think you're one of the few players on both teams who was on the roster the last time that you guys played in the national championship game. What was that experience like for you as a freshman? And I think on the outside we all know what stands out about what happened in that game, but can you just take us through what you were going through as that game was playing out?

PHIDARIAN MATHIS: As a freshman, I feel like coming in as a freshman and getting that experience as a young guy, sitting back and watching those guys compete for that national championship, it was amazing, especially the big-time play Tua made.

Just the whole team, just experiencing it while I was young, I think it took a big toll on me. And I was happy to be a part of that team also.

Q. Where have you seen Brian Branch improve over the years since you've been here and he's been at Alabama?

PHIDARIAN MATHIS: I always loved Brian Branch's game. He's a hard worker. He shows up every day. And he's ready to work. I love the way, how he comes downhill and he brings that thump with him. I always loved his game. I always gave him his flowers whenever it's due.

Q. What can you say, spoke with Henry about it, being on a team where you have multiple head coaches with Bill O'Brien, Doug Marrone and Nick Saban, guys who have had experience at the NFL and the collegiate level? What it does for you as a player and the wealth of knowledge that they bring?

PHIDARIAN MATHIS: It does a lot for the guys on this team. We get to learn from their experience. And we get to put that into our game. So I think it's a great challenge for all the players on the team because we get to learn from the best of the best.

Q. As someone that's played in now several national championship games, what do you tell the younger guys that are going to be experiencing this for the first time?

PHIDARIAN MATHIS: I just try to motivate them. I've been motivating everybody all week long, just telling them, I know how it feels to lose and I know how it feels to win. You don't want to be on that down side.

So you've got to go to work every day and put our best foot forward. And don't think about winning or losing. Just practice and put the work in and God will lead the way.

Q. The SEC motto is it just means more. And that's something that Coach Saban and fellow teammates have probably ingrained in you now. What's playing in a national championship game mean to you personally? And especially since you get to go against another SEC team in Georgia? And on a lighter note, what kind of music do you plan to listen to to get in the zone on Monday night?

PHIDARIAN MATHIS: When it comes down to music-wise, I'll probably listen to Yungblud, somebody like that.

But just playing for the national championship, that's always the goal when you come to Bama. And it's just the standard that always been set since I've been here. I believe the goal is to play in a national championship and don't settle for nothing less.

Q. You've been in part of many of these games where Alabama has either come from behind or totally dominated against Georgia. And it seems that no matter what the line is coming in or how the game actually unfolds, you guys end up kind of getting their number in a way. Has it gotten to the point where being on this side of so many wins it feels like you're in their head almost?

PHIDARIAN MATHIS: Georgia is a great team. They always -- they come to play their best game. And we do too. So I really don't think about all the past stuff. I'm just real about what's in front of us now. I can't really speak on the past things we've done against those guys. It's the new year, new team that we're playing.

Q. Obviously a couple of times this year the defense hasn't looked great. And some of the Alabama fans have been upset. What have you guys done to block out that noise and keep the task at hand?

PHIDARIAN MATHIS: Just going back to work. We just tune all that out. Everybody got their own opinion about everything. So we don't worry about that. We just go to work and control what we can control.