Carter on being down in the dumps: "You've got to get out of that"

Senior linebacker Lorenzo Carter didn't take Saturday's loss to Auburn very well.

The former Norcross standout was almost inconsolable on the sideline and almost came to tears talking to media after the game.

“It was tough, putting all the work that we put in and not getting the results,” Carter said after practice on Wednesday. “We’ve just got to respond. I think we’ve responded well this week in practice to make sure everyone moves past it. We’ve got 24 hours win, lose or draw so I had 24 hours to be in the dumps. You’ve got to get out of that.”

Carter didn’t deny the pain.

“Everything means more. It’s your senior year, it’s the last campaign,” Carter said. “Everything is just amplified, the importance of it.”

Four days removed, Carter’s smile had returned.

The reason? Knowledge that the Bulldogs (9-1, 6-1) still control their own destiny as far as the playoffs are concerned, providing they beat Kentucky Saturday (3:30, CBS), Georgia Tech and beat either Auburn or Alabama in the SEC Championship.

A tall order? Perhaps. But it beats the alternative and certainly a major incentive for the rest of the year.

“It helps a lot, definitely, that we could still do something special,” left tackle Isaiah Wynn said. “We can definitely go into the SEC championship as a one loss team and finish the season strong.”

Carter agreed.

“Coach (Kirby Smart) made sure we definitely weren’t out of the mix, that one loss was not going to define our season,” he said. “We’ve had a great season so far and we plan on keeping the thing going.”

Carter and Wilson both said they can’t wait to get back on the field.

“I think every one’s the same way,” Wynn said. “I’m anxious to get back out there, just to finish off the rest of the season.”

Carter claimed lessons have been learned.

Any more efforts like what happened against Auburn will definitely rub a lot of the shine off of what’s been – despite the loss – an extremely successful year.

“That one loss was a wake-up call, but I’m proud of the way the guys have been working, nobody’s really hung themselves on that,” said Carter, who will play his final game in Sanford Stadium Saturday.

“There’s not too many emotions right now but I’m sure after the game I’ll have time for emotions,” he said. “But right now, I’m just focused on Kentucky and getting the win.”