Sept. 12, 2009
Nebraska 38, Arkansas State 9
Memorial Stadium - Lincoln, Neb.
Opening Statement
"I thought we did a lot of good things offensively. I really liked the way we came out, we attacked. I thought we played really well offensively. To start the game, I loved the energy we came out with. Overall, it was OK. Defensively, I thought we were inconsistent, sloppy and we missed tackles at times. But I saw some good things too all the way across the board. I thought we played better than we did a week ago, but we’re not where we need to be. I think everybody feels that. That’s why we practice. But I did see a lot of good things out there. I liked the energy. I liked the effort. We just have to get some things fixed."
On Zac Lee’s preparedness for Virginia Tech
"I’m not worried about where we’re playing. He’s playing at a high level. I really like how he’s playing. I thought he spread the ball around well and he played really well. I thought he made a couple of mistakes, a couple of bad decisions, but it didn’t hurt us. Overall, he played really well."
On Nebraska’s defensive improvement this week
"I saw some (improvement). I thought we were sloppy at times. That’s an area we just need to get fixed. We’re just not where we need to be yet. We’re not as efficient. We’re not to the standard that I envision it."
On wide receiver Niles Paul
"He’s been going. Niles has played at a high level. He’s an explosive player, a real heckuva player. It didn’t surprise me for him to come out and have that kind of game. He’s playing at a real high level. That’s why I like him."
On Nebraska’s defense
"I thought we would be a little bit further. We’re sloppy at times. Sometimes our inexperience at some areas shows. The communication is better, but still not where I want to be. We’re coming, but we’re not there. It’s just not what I’m used to seeing on a consistent basis."
On Nebraska’s inexperienced offense
"Other than the quarterback being new, we do have some experience and a lot of guys who have played in some games. Our offense is playing well and I expect them to continue. I like what I’ve seen."
On Nebraska’s consistency
"In all areas, we weren’t as consistent as we have to be to play at the level we want to. It’s week two. We have a long season ahead. We just have to keep working. That’s why you practice. There’s not a football team out there that’s the "Steel Curtain" and the Super Bowl champion with execution. It’s week two. It’s why you practice. It’s why you keep developing. I expect our team to be fully prepared to go on the road and meet the challenge that’s ahead."