Senior I-Back Marlon Lucky

Nebraska Football
Preseason Press Conference
Monday, Aug. 4, 2008
Memorial Stadium

 

Marlon Lucky
Senior, I-Back

 

About going into his senior year

"I feel great. It’ll be an honor to play one more year on this field."

 

On it being his senior season, having a “now or never” attitude

"It was like that every year, but this year mainly, it’s for the team’s purpose going out there and playing one game at a time. We’re just going to see if we can do better than last year."

 

On the younger guys and reflecting on his early days

"Right now, I’m seeing some of them get nervous as it’s their first year here. As far as living here, I don’t know about that. They’re learning, they’re coming in, and it’s going to be a grind."

 

On his evolution as a running back

"As far as me first getting here, I saw myself as an ordinary back. Coming in, I had to catch on to the speed of the game. Now, it’s coming to me. I’m still learning, but it’s just normal for me now. In the spring all the backs were giving 100 percent. I give it to them, it’s a competition, and that’s how it’s going to be this fall. I’m just going to take it as I always take it; coming in and giving it my all.

 

On the other running backs and the competition

"It’s a big motivation. Roy (Helu Jr.), we compete against each other all the time in the weight room, running, speed work, that’s what we do so it’ll be fun."

 

On Roy Helu Jr.’s improvement

"He made a big jump. Him, Quentin (Castille), all of them, they came in knowing more than what Cody (Glenn) and I came in knowing. It’s going to be a big fall for them, too."

 

On the competition between running backs

"You’ve got someone breathing down your neck every second. It’s going to be a push."

 

On the coaching transition in his senior year

"As far as coaches, Coach (Shawn) Watson and Coach (Ted) Gilmore were some of our big coaches on offense. As a coaching change, it’s nothing new for us."

 

On the emphasis on the running game this year

"As of right now, we don’t know. We’re just practicing to get better right now, but he (Head Coach Bo Pelini) did say it’ll be more powerful, more physical running this year than in previous years."

 

On catching the ball

"Hopefully this year we won’t have as much as last year, because we won’t be behind after the half. Right now, I see it as every down, passing and mixing it up."

 

On having eight home games this year

"It is always exciting to play at Memorial Stadium. We did it my freshman year, and now I’m a senior and am doing it. It’s an honor to play that many games here."

 

On his offensive line

"They’re coming out more explosive. They know the offense more now. It should be a great line this year."

 

On if this is the best line he’s had since he’s been here

"I’ve grown with them, so I think so."

 

On his expectations for the offense

"We’re taking it one game at a time. First things first, we want to take the Big 12. Just take it one game at a time."

 

On quarterback Joe Ganz

"He brings leadership, we all look up to him. He’s going to take us where we need to be."

 

On his personal goals

"I really don’t set goals. I set game goals before every game. As far as goal-wise, I’d say (to get) over 1,000 yards rushing again, plain and simple, but mainly just helping the team out."

 

On his future

"I’m not looking forward to the NFL right now. I’m staying focused on college, my school work, and everything. But it does pass my mind every once and awhile."

 

On the transition of Cody Glenn from running back to linebacker

"At the beginning of the spring he told me that if it didn’t work on offense he was going to switch over. I was with him for (that decision) because he didn’t play for the last two years. He’s still my boy, he’s just on the other side of the ball."

 

On being a California kid and the Nebraska lifestyle

"I’m still a California kid. Living here has opened my eyes, coming to a smaller city and interacting with a lot of the things here. (I) changed a little bit."