Nebraska Head Coach Mike Riley took a short break from a busy recruiting schedule on Monday afternoon to discuss the upcoming Foster Farms Bowl matchup with UCLA.
In a phone conference call that included more than 20 reporters from both Nebraska and Los Angeles, Riley gave some initial thoughts on the bowl game and the 8-4 Bruins.
Riley called the opportunity to play in the Foster Farms Bowl a “great experience, great stadium, great area of the country and a great opponent” and added that “I have a lot of respect for UCLA and Jim Mora.”
Nebraska is coming off a loss to Big Ten West division winner Iowa in the regular-season finale. Riley said the bowl game gives the Huskers a “great opportunity to go out on a good note” and also to begin to build for the 2016 season.
Other noteworthy items from Riley included:
- He expects Nebraska to practice 12 times in preparation for the Foster Farms Bowl, beginning with practices this Friday and Saturday in Lincoln.
- Riley mentioned that Oregon State did not play UCLA in Riley’s final two seasons in Corvallis, but called UCLA hiring Jim Mora in 2012 “a really good match”
- Riley confirmed that redshirt freshman offensive guard Tanner Farmer will be working out with the Husker wrestling team in addition to continuing to practice with the football team.
- In regard to Michigan State being selected for the College Football Playoff, Riley said he was “proud of our league and wish the best for (the Spartans) from here on out.
Riley's message: "It's a great opportunity to go out on a good note." Calls Iowa "very disappointing loss." Had many thoughts about it.
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) December 7, 2015
Mike Riley on only have 12 bowl practices this month for a Dec. 26 game: “It is a little shorter time, but we’ll just make the most of it.”
— Sean Callahan (@Sean_Callahan) December 7, 2015
Riley said he has a lot of respect for UCLA and Jim Mora.
— Josh Harvey (@JoshHarveyScout) December 7, 2015
LA Times reporter asks about APR being used as 5-7 bowl criteria. Riley said NU won't apologize for getting picked.
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) December 7, 2015
Riley on APR: "I don't think it's a bad way to do it." #huskers
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) December 7, 2015