P.J. Smith Quotes

Nebraska Football
Weekly Press Conference
Memorial Stadium (Lincoln, Neb.)
Monday, Nov. 12, 2012
Pre-Minnesota

P.J. Smith
Sr., Safety, River Ridge, La.

On what he remembers most about his redshirt year
“It was a fun year especially for the redshirts. We were able to go against the offense and give them problems, so we had fun with that. That is what most of us talk about now.”

On what it is that fellow safety Daimion Stafford and himself have found that has worked for the last few wins
“It’s not just Daimion and I, but the whole defense overall. Daimion and I watch film together. We go through calls and just communicate with each other. It is helping us out, and we are getting better, but we still have room for improvement.”’

On how he feels about himself as a leader this year
“I try to help out anyone I can on the team in defense. Daimion (Stafford) is a hell of a player, and so I try to keep his head in it. I try to relax everyone and take on that role. I tell them to just keep fighting, keep going, and that we will be fine.”

On whether or not he enjoys himself with more playing time this year
“I’m just trying to go out there and help this team win. I don’t even think about it. I just do whatever I can to help this defense get better, and to help this team get better. Really, I don’t even think about it. If I am out there, I am out there. If I’m not out there, then I’m supporting the guys who are.

On what he remembers about meeting the rest of the redshirts his first year
“I remember the first meeting we had. We are all sitting there, and we start to introduce ourselves and where we were from. There were a few guys from Texas, and at the time I really didn’t like Texas. It was a good time. I love these guys on this team. We are all maturing and getting better. We have the same goal, and it is what we have been trying to do since we got here. Now we are in the right position to reach that goal. We have to stay the course and keep winning.”

On how long it took to start to feel connected as a class
“It took a couple months. Once the season started and we were around each other. As freshmen living in the dorms, we were really able to connect and learn more about each other.”

On what it would mean to be conference champions his senior year
“That’s what we planned for. We all planned to get that. We need to go ahead and get it done. It’s that time. For the last four years we played around. Now it’s time to get the job done. We have been taking it one game at a time. As long as we do that, and finish the game off the right way we will be there. Every week it gets tougher, but you just have to stay the course.

On what the last tunnel walk will be like
“I don’t know. I’m trying not to think about it really. I’m sure there will be a lot of emotions going on, but all things come to an end at some point. Like I have said before, I just want to help this team win. That is my main focus.

On what will be his greatest memory at Memorial Stadium
“I would say walking the tunnel walk with these guys, walking out with them and running on the field seeing 85,000 fans going crazy. I’m getting chills right now just thinking about it. That is something that a lot of teams don’t get to experience, but we do. That’s going to be the main thing, being with this team and walking out with them for the last time.