2004 Big 12 Football Media Day Quotes

Nebraska Coach Bill Callahan
On the team's defense...
"There have been times during the spring where our defense has showed flashes of dominance. We are concentrating on a championship ring this season and it will rely on our defense early, which will allow some time for our offense."

On the quarterback situation...
"We'd like to establish a quarterback to take over the reins. The quarterback is the most important part of our offense. Everything is centered on the quarterback position. We'd like to go into the season with a quarterback and work from that point on. We've got great competition. We want someone to emerge at the end of training camp. It's still wide open."

On the offense...
"The offense is high-volume and exceptionally aggressive. By the end of the spring, our players were very comfortable with what we are trying to do. This isn't an offense where we try to trick everyone. I'm a detailed guy and no detail is too small for our offensive players.

On implementing a new system...
"I feel totally confident with what we are implementing and applying so far. Our players have been open and allowed this new plan to come in and take place. These guys have been born in the Nebraska spirit and these are the guys that will make this system go."

On the offensive line...
"So much has been said about the West Coach Offense, but the offensive line is the biggest part of the transition. Our offense will be predicated by our offensive line. We've been retooling our offensive line and moving guys to different positions on the line. As a coach, I'm a firm believer in diversity of positions. This is a relatively young offensive line."

On the success of programs changing to the West Coast Offense...
"I can't speak for everyone and what they've done and implemented. I know that what we've done is undisputed, and we've done it at a high level. We've led the league in rushing, led the league in passing and led the league in total offense. What has been accomplished is undisputed in that respect. Bringing it into college football is a challenge. No doubt. I can't make any guarantees or promises that it is going to take off and lead the league in total offense, or do those things, because it is predicated on a lot of different levels. It's hard to predict how we will do in the first year with the transition. I'm confident because I'm a confident person in terms of teaching the system."

Nebraska Junior Tight End Matt Herian
On the coaching changes...
"All we can do is go out there and play football. It's different coaching styles and different philosophies, but football is football. I believe that the coaching changes have gone smoothly and I don't think there's going to be a problem."

On his role in the offense...
"I think I'm just like every other receiver on this team. I think that if we all go out there and do our jobs, we will help this team out. We need to come in with a mindset of attacking defenders with our offense."

On the fans adjusting to the new offense...
"We had 60,000 people at our spring game. They were all questioning what we were going to do because they had not seen an offense like this. Even when I'm walking around with my friends and family everyone is asking me 'What are you guys going to do? What has changed?' I think a lot of people at Nebraska are real curious. I think at first they had a hard time adjusting because we are traditionally a running football team. We won running the football. We didn't have to pass it that much. I think the more they learned about it, saw it at the spring game, and talked about it, I think people in Nebraska are starting to like it."

Senior Linebacker Barrett Ruud
On the difference in the defense...
"The main difference in our defense from this year to last year is we are playing more man. Last year was mostly zone. The new system is real good. Coach Cosgrove is real open to communication and is easy to get along with."

On the fans...
"They are impatient fans, but that's a good thing. It helps you become a better player. When the fans stop caring or voicing their concerns, then there starts to be a problem. Since they are voicing concerns, it's a good sign that they still care about this football team."

Junior Defensive Back Josh Bullocks
On the coaching changes...
"I think that transition is a good thing. The changes we made from one system to another in the offseason have gone smoothly. The players have responded to the change real well. We have been through a lot as a team. The changes are going to make us strong. We have learned to move on, regardless of the situation."

On playing more man defense...
"I have to put myself in a position to make plays. I think the coaches are going to allow me to do that. If the quarterback puts the ball up in the air, my teammates and I are going to go up and get it."