Daimion Stafford

Nebraska Football
Weekly Press Conference
Pre-Southern Miss
Monday, Aug. 27, 2012

Daimion Stafford, Sr., Safety
On his excitement for the opener
"I'm really excited."

On how far he has come since last season physically and mentally
"Physically I've come a longs ways. I came here a little heavy last year. The strength and nutrition staffs are getting me right on that. Mentally, as far as knowing the game of football, this coaching staff does a lot for us mentally in this game, and I've learned a lot in the offseason, spring ball, fall camp, etc. I would say a long ways."

On what the team could do better defensively on third downs
"Get off the field. Basically that's what it comes down to is that we have to get off the field, whatever that takes. Stop them on third down and if we get a high percentage of that, then we'll get a high percentage of winning the game."

On how the team works on third downs during fall practice
"We've got our third-down drills like we do down and distance drills. Pretty much just executing our defense, and all of us have to be on the same page. If we do that, we should win on third down every time."

On what stats are talked about during the offseason that the defense has to get better in
"I'm pretty sure anyone that knows football knows that the most important down is third down. If you win on third down, then you're going to win. If the other team gives you the ball more then you've got a higher chance of winning every time."

On if the defense is flying blind on what Southern Miss's offense will do
"I wouldn't say blind. We've got enough tape on them and a game plan. We trust our coaches. Our coaches know what they're doing. I wouldn't say we're going in there blind. They're preparing us the best."

On how Harvey Jackson has elevated his game this summer
"Work ethic and the competition between the guys. It's just bringing the best out of them. They're working hard and watching film, and even helping each other. Even though they're still competing, they're still helping each other. It just brings out the best in people when they're competing."

On how challenging it is to have so many guys in the cornerback rotation instead of just two
"It is the same. I don't have a problem with it because we're all coached by the same guys. Whatever one corner does, the other is doing the same thing so it's not like one player is going to do one thing then another play will do a different thing the next play. I don't see a big difference or a problem with it."

On what it is like to tackle Rex Burkhead
"That's a pretty hard task. I feel like if you can tackle Rex, then you can tackle any back that we're going to face, so it is nice to get to practice against him every day and get to work on my tackling. I've got a pretty big confidence level when I can tackle him and then play against another guy."

On tackling Burkhead in the open field
"I've gotten him a couple times. He's gotten me a couple times, too. He's gotten away from me a couple of times, I will admit that. He's shifty and then he's powerful too, so you never know what you're going to get."

On what he remembers most about last season's opener
"I remember being scared. I don't think I slept the night before. I had never played in front of that many people and then when I went on the field I didn't know a football game could be that loud. I had a lot of different emotions out there."

On what the defense needs to work on this week for the game
"I just think we all need to be focused. If we all stay focused and prepare by focusing on the process then we'll be good and get a big win."

On his advice to young players like Zaire (Anderson) and (Mohammed) Seisay
"I just tell them pretty much what everybody knows and that is you have to get in the playbook and take care of business and just bring it every day. These coaches know what they're doing, and if you need to play then they're going to play you. I feel like if you buy into what they are telling you to do then you'll find your way onto the field."

On what his emotions will be during this season's opener
"I'm scared before every football game, but not like scared, it is more like butterflies. It'll be the same way."

On his emotions for all football games
"Every game I get those pre-game jitters, but then you make your first play and it all goes away."

On if the defense has a chip on its shoulder
"No because we're one big family. If Taylor [Martinez] and Rex [Burkhead] are doing good, then we're all doing good. Just like if our defense is doing good, then Taylor and Rex are doing good. If we stop the team, then that means Taylor and Rex get to go on the field and make their magic happen."