Nebraska vs. Texas Tech
Postgame Quotes
Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009
Memorial Stadium - Lincoln, Neb.
Defensive Tackle Ndamukong Suh
On how to describe the day
"Tough, very tough. We obviously, as a whole team, did not play well enough to win. The score reflects that. We just have to learn from this, watch film and move on."
On if they were shocked with how Texas Tech drove down the field
"I wasn’t just because it really wasn’t them, especially in that first drive. It was luck. We were obviously on the ball. It was just mistakes and things that we could have made plays on and we didn’t."
On how important it is to keep the team on the right path
"Very important. I think this team is very mature and strong as a unit. Obviously it is going to bug a lot of us, especially the guys that were playing. It’s something that happens. We knew we didn’t play well enough. We saw that in the first half. We knew we had to pick it up at some point in time. We started to, but the things weren’t clicking on both sides of the ball. It’s only our own fault. Texas Tech played well, they definitely played well. They didn’t make any mistakes, obviously and they had their chances and made the most of them."
On if there is anything that surprised him about the way Texas Tech played today
"They didn’t really pull out any new wrinkles in their offense. We just did not make plays to defend them. You have to do that, especially being defense, you have to stop them. We obviously didn’t make the plays. The important plays that led to touchdowns for them and we didn’t come up with any turnovers, which is a big thing we want to do. We want to do that every single game because that gives us a boost on defense as well as on offense."
Offensive Lineman Jacob Hickman
On how he would explain the offense’s troubles today
"Execution was the problem. I don’t know why at this point in this game. We didn’t execute the plays that were called. If you don’t do that you’re not going to win the game."
On what you say to Zac Lee after struggling today
"I don’t think anybody out there on offense (had a good game today). You just have to say, 'Go out there and compete next week and pick it up in practice.' We obviously have to work harder, because we’re definitely not giving up. We’re going to have to get tougher on the offensive side of the ball and get better in practice. Him and Cody (Green) are just going to have to compete to make themselves better."
On if Texas Tech really stepped up today
"You have to give them credit. I’ve said all week that they are a great defense. If we slept on them we were going to get into trouble. I don’t think we slept on them, but they played the game that we expected them to play and we didn’t play ours. You have to give them credit. I am disappointed in our performance."
Wide Receiver Khiry Cooper
On if he thought his first touchdown would come in a loss
"No, not exactly. I mean, it was a blessing to be able to get it, but it would have been nice to come out with a win also."
On how tough that one is to swallow
"It's really tough, but you still have to give credit to Texas Tech. They came in here and they played well and they did what they had to do."
On what the mood is like in the locker room
"It's just one of those things where it's hard to sink in because we know that we didn't play our best ball today."
On if he felt like it was a good week of practice leading up to the game
"Yeah, I honestly did. I I felt like we had a great week of practice. Today was just one of those days I guess and we just didn't play our best ball."
On if he feels the wide receiver position is open competition right now
"I think it's always open competition. If you go out and produce on a consistent basis then you have a opportunity to start on a consistent basis. Coach Gilmore, he's always fair about it, so if you're doing what you need to do you'll be able to play."
On what Cody Green was like when he came into the huddle
"He reacted great. He held his composure. He came in there and threw a touchdown."
On how much the momentum shifted early in the game
"I don't think it got knocked out of whack too much. We still wanted to do what we wanted to do, obviously it just didn't happen for us."
On what they need to do as a team after the loss
"We just need to come back and have a great week of practice and get ready for Iowa State."
Defensive End Pierre Allen
On if receiving the Blackshirts is bittersweet after today
"We worked hard all season. I thought we deserved them. The coaches thought we deserved them, but I would be lying if I said (losing after getting them) didn't mean anything. If we would have won, it really would have meant something."
On how tough this loss is
"It's real tough. We had a great game plan, but we just didn't execute as a offense or a defense."
On what he thought of Texas Tech's quarterback
"He was great. The offensive line was great. He was great. He played great. He came out there and played great for them."