Nebraska Player Quotes

Nebraska Weekly Press Conference
Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007
Memorial Stadium
Pre-Nevada

 

Carl Nicks
Senior, Offensive Lineman

 

On getting the 2007 season started

“It’s been a long camp. I’m just looking forward to hitting somebody besides the Huskers.”

 

On expecting Nevada to blitz early

“Our coaches emphasized through this whole camp that they (Nevada) are going to bring it heavy and often. We’ve been working on a lot of blitz pickups, and I think we’re pretty much well-prepared for it.”

 

On fans and teams being aware of his contributions to the team

“I don’t think they know anything. They shouldn’t. I didn’t really play too much. It’ll be a good opportunity to show people what I can do.”

 

On his goals for Saturday

“Hopefully (we’ll) dominate. I don’t want to act like I’m playing anybody that’s not as good as me. I just have to do my job and do it well.”

 

On shifting positions within the offensive line

“With the interior, they move all the time. You don’t know who’s going to play left and who’s going to play right. As far as the tackles, it’s been pretty much set who’s going to play right and who’s going to play left since spring.”

 

On the offensive line establishing an identity among the starters

“I wouldn’t say we have a new identity, but it has its own identity now. We know who the starter is. (Sam) Keller brings a swagger to this offense, and I think we’re going to be really successful.”

 

On finding a confidence level

“We’re confident in (Sam Keller)’s abilities, and we’re confident in the offensive line's abilities, as well as the running backs and receivers. I think we just know we can do good things, and we just have to prove it on Saturday.”

 

On giving up fewer sacks

“Our whole emphasis in the spring was to reduce the number of sacks. If we can stop their blitzes and kill them in the air and kill them on the ground, it will set the tempo for this season.”

 

On quarterback Sam Keller’s on-field personality

“He brings a lot of swagger to this offense. He has experience, he has leadership qualities, and he’s a likeable guy on and off the field. He’s a real good guy. I like him a lot.”

 

On Keller’s passion when he plays the game

“Sometimes you have to calm him down because he’s got a little extra fire. He’s got it.”

 

On Nebraska being ranking No. 20 nationally

“I think our offense is going to be real explosive this year. With a couple of key victories at the beginning of this schedule, I think we can make a little jump.”

 

On junior offensive lineman Matt Slauson

“It’d be huge. He’s a big part of this offensive line. If he doesn’t come back, we have a lot of depth at guard that we feel comfortable putting in.”

 

On Slauson helping him in his first year at Nebraska in 2006

“The first guy Coach told me to go see was Matt. We sat down and went over the plays. He’s a real nice guy and communicates well. It would be great to have him back.”

 

On the size of NU’s offensive line being an advantage

“We have a lot of size this year on offensive line. Pounding the rock is not going to be a problem.”