Nebraska Player Quotes

Nebraska Football Postgame Quotes
#14 Nebraska 31, #7 Missouri 17
Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010
Memorial Stadium (Lincoln, Neb.)

Senior Cornerback Prince Amukamara
On if this was a big win:
"It was definitely a huge win, just for our team and a huge momentum gain and we just need to keep it."

On the effect of the offense’s first-quarter play:
"We definitely feed off us, and they feed off us?same with special teams. Offense definitely set the tone: the offensive line, Roy. I think that’s what set the tone for the game."

On the final goal-line stand:
"That was huge. I thought they were going to do a fade at one of us corners, but they kept running it. We had our goal line package in there and they were tough. Our goal-line package, they just stayed under the offensive linemen and made a play."

On if the defense played inspired:
"I think so. Coach Carl Pelini said that we just need to play with more swagger and have more fun. I think our defense and offense just played loose, and we just had a lot more swagger and a lot more fun in this game."

Senior Offensive Lineman Keith Williams
On if he sensed that the line was playing dominantly:
"Yeah, I think so. I think we ran into a wall here and there, and we had a couple three-and-outs. But other than that, I think we did a real good job picking up the blitzes and creating the holes for the running back."

On his motivation to play well today:
"Mizzou is ranked pretty high, and we wanted a victory. We always come out wanting a victory. Any time we come out there and compete, we want to beat the team. Missouri was a good team. There’s a little competitiveness between me and Missouri just because I’m from Missouri and I came to Nebraska, so it’s a little rivalry here and there, but we had a good game."

On I-Back Roy Helu Jr. giving credit to his offensive linemen:
"Roy is very humble, he’s appreciative of the offensive line. He always thanks us afterward. He got the game ball after the game and he kind of sprinted throughout the locker room, throughout the offense. He’s a great guy."

Junior Defensive Lineman Jared Crick
On the fourth-quarter goal-line stand:
"We knew we had to get the job done and if not, we were going to put our team in a bad situation and no one on the defense wants to put our team in a bad situation. We really just sucked it up and they got the job done. We knew we could and we knew we had the ability to and we did it. We just executed."

On if they knew they would be hurrying Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert so often:
"No, we kind of expected him to sit in the pocket a little more. Like I said, we were expecting a lot more running and it showed. We have to respect Gabbert and his feet, he’s a pretty quick kid and it showed today. We definitely expected him to do all the draws that he did and scramble as much as he did. But I thought we adjusted well."

Senior I-Back Roy Helu Jr.
On what breaking the school single-game rushing record means to him:
"I couldn’t explain how much I feel for my lineman and fullback, Tyler Legate. They deserve as much credit as I do, just down the line, even with our guys who rotate on the offensive line. I know how easily we could focus on the record and the individual but it’s a team sport. I just really appreciate my teammates, especially on the edge with Niles (Paul) and Brandon (Kinnie)."

On if he was surprised with Missouri’s defensive play:
"Yeah, they’re a really good defense. You have to go earn it every Saturday. We know that as an offensive unit, and whoever we play has to earn it as well."

On his teammate’s reaction to his record-breaking performance:
"It was weird, they were acting like we won the Super Bowl or something. I got squirted on the back with water. A lot of really kind things (were) said, just a lot of congratulations."

On leading the team prayer post-game:
"It was really cool. That was the (most fun) part, especially after we won the game. Just the opportunity to pray with a lot of people where their hearts are, pursuing Christ’s likeness: the same journey as you. Just coming after a really tough game, to go out there and [have] words to say to lead a prayer?it was an honor."

Offensive Lineman Jeremiah Sirles
On the game overall
"We came out with our hair on fire on both sides of the ball. Coach Bo (Pelini) has been telling us to come out and have fun, and I think that's what we did. We came out and whenever you score that fast its fun."

On how he felt during the first touchdown run
"I was stoked. I was stoked. Whenever I can feel our offense getting into that kind of rhythm it's just great things are on their way."

On if this week of preparation was any different than previous weeks
"I think it's just the way we practiced. We come out and we get after it every day. We really did this week, and I think it kind of shows. You come out and you practice hard, you're going to play hard. We came out at practice and hit the ground running every day, so we're going to keep going like that."

On the last drive of the game
"They know you are going to run the ball and being able to continue to run the ball, you're imposing your will on them and that's kind of a big thing for the offensive line. That was fun to watch."

Wide Receiver Niles Paul
On the offense in the first half
"It's crazy. Everything was going the way we wanted it to. We had a great week of practice and everything just played out the way we wanted it to in the first half."

On how the team handled the Texas and Missouri weeks different
"I think our coaches just got us focused on the process. You can see it in practice. We had a different edge on us. It's like we're playing with a chip on our shoulder."

On how he was feeling emotionally in the first half
"As a player we have to keep focused on what's going on in the field and not worry about what's going on in the stands, and not worry about how loud the fans were. We are always trying to stay focused and keep our foot on the pedal."

Quarterback Zac Lee
On what he was thinking entering the game
"Get in there and manage the offense, read the reads in the run game and pass game, and do what I feel like I've always done."

On Roy Helu's day
"To break a rushing record at this place, it's pretty special. Roy was going good. He had a ton of yards in the first quarter and he kept it going the rest of the game. A guy like that, keep giving him the ball and see what he does and get out of his way. Our offensive line did a phenomenal job. They always do great job blocking the run. Great day by them up front and by Roy hitting the holes."

On the Big 12 North race
"We just have to keep going. One week at a time, keep winning and keep right along the way and we'll reach our goals."

Safety Austin Cassidy
On all the different things they did on defense
"I think they just wanted to make sure that we had the right personnel out there for what they were going to give us. You have to give credit to the coaches, they had us ready. We didn't change a thing from when we started running this defense on Monday. We had a good week of practice and we were ready to play."

On how they were able to get pressure on Blaine Gabbert
"I think it's the line. Those guys work their tails off. If you can give them some time to get there as a secondary it's going to be hard to hold those guys off."