Josh Paschal: "Everybody's feeling fresh... ready to get after it"

Jacob Noger | UK Athletics

Earlier today Mark Stoops confirmed his team is 100 percent and COVID-free down in Jacksonville after the final round of testing before the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.

“We’re 100 percent,” Stoops said. “I was worried. The way 2020 went, you know, and you get popped on the very last test. I had people all around me all year coming up with it. I thought that would be just my luck, but fortunately I’m here.”

Also checking in from Jacksonville, star defensive end Josh Paschal made an appearance in the press conference to say everyone’s ready to go, himself included after reporters caught him with a wrapped finger.

“I think everybody’s feeling fresh, Paschal said. “This is just a little something small [his wrapped-up hand]. I’m going to be able to play and everything like that. It’s just something small I had to deal with, but everybody’s fresh. Coach Stoops does a great job taking care of us during the bowl games and bowl weeks and bowl practices.

“Of course, we had 10 SEC games. That’s not something we normally do so of course a lot of people were banged up. But this time that we had, he really took care of us. Everybody healed up and we’re really ready to get after it Saturday and have some fun in our final game together.”

Of much lesser importance, Paschal also confirmed Josh Allen, his old bowl game roommate, is the loudest snorer he’s ever heard.