Tay Gowan shines in corner debut
When his name was called, Tay Gowan was ready.
With cornerback Brandon Moore going down with a season-ending injury in the opener, Gowan, a newcomer from junior college, was asked to step into a primary role heading in last weekend's game at FAU.
Gowan shined when given the opportunity, earning a top grade from PFF for his cornerback performance while also pulling down UCF's first interception of the season.
UCFSports.com caught up with the Covington, Ga., native after Tuesday's practice.
What was that experience getting ready for FAU? You've been working hard all summer, Bam goes down, they ask you to fill his shoes a little bit. What was kind of your mindset going into that game?
"My mindset coming into FAU was to stay in the film room. I had missed lunch because I was just trying to get all my keys down. I didn't want to miss any key assignments. I know all the work I put in during the summer was going to put me in good position. I pray a lot. I felt all the pressure, but as I was telling people, I've been playing football all my life. I was sent here to do this. I'm going to step up to whatever role I've gotta do, whatever role that is. That was my mindset."
Was there a period when you started to feel comfortable? Did it come right away or maybe after a series or two?
"After the first series, I was like, 'Okay, practice is harder than this.' Let me get under my feet and breathe a little bit. I got more comfortable as the game went on."
Nobody wants to see Bam go down. Were your teammates giving you words of encouragement last week, knowing you'd be asked to step up?
"That week was a sad week, first and foremost. Prayers to Bam. I knew when I saw him down, first of all I was praying for him. I knew a lot was going to come on me now because I'm the next man up. I asked the guys, 'Do you trust me?' I know I've got to trust myself first. I put in all this work. They see me in camp, but it's different than a game environment. I know people's job are on the line. My job is on the line. I really just took deep breaths going into this game. Stayed focused, really."
UCF got a lot of turnovers last year. Didn't get one in the first game. You ended up with the first one, the interception. What was that moment like?
"Like I was telling Brian (Murphy), when he interviewed me last week, most of the time when the ball is thrown my way, not to sound cocky or anything, I'm kind of a ball hawk. That's what I really do. That's my specialty. I know nine times out of 10, you throw the ball my way, I'm going to come down with it. I want the ball."
Didn't you have like six picks last year in JUCO?
"I caught seven, but they called one back on a penalty. They said I was holding."
That's pretty good.
"The craziest part is I caught my first pick the second game of the season, then I caught a pick every game after that."
What was it like coming back to the sideline?
"I couldn't even celebrate because everybody was attacking me, patting me on the head. I wanted to cry, but I still had to get out there and play."
Was your family able to watch the game? What was the communication with them like afterward?
"My mom called me on FaceTime crying. She was happy. My brothers called me on the phone too, crying. 'Man, you've been waiting for this.' Just to see it come true and see me play on TV, was a dream come true. Honestly."
Are you originally from the Atlanta area?
"I'm from Covington, Georgia."
You went to JUCO in Kansas and obviously made the decision to come to UCF. What stood out about UCF?
"My original plan was to take over the role of 14 (Nevelle Clarke). I thought he was entering the draft. He decided to come back. I'm glad he did come back. The team needs him and the team loves him. Knowing he was coming back, I knew they had two starting corners and I didn't want to break the team chemistry. We're going to come together. We're going to split reps, whatever I've got to do to help this team. That was my mindset knowing he was coming back."
Having Nevelle come back, an experienced player, fifth-year senior, has that been a benefit having guys like that to talk to?
"Of course. That's somebody I can come to. He's been here. I can ask him stuff about certain formations, help and advice, how to get through my first camp, first spring, stuff like that, how to deal with coaches sometimes when they're hard on me."
It's hard down here. I know the offense goes blazing fast. How much does that help you prepare for the season?
"Man, going against our offense has built my stamina. Got my legs stronger. I know in camp they were going back to back to back. I just prepared me to line back up, get the play, look to the sideline real quick and lock back in. In the games, teams don't go as fast as us so I can slow the game down in my mind."
The level of competition is going up this week, playing Stanford. What do you know about their talent?
"I know every team is talented. I'm just ready to play, honestly. Everybody's got good receivers. Shout out to those guys. They're going to come to work and we're going to come to work."