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Nebraska Football
Weekly Press Conference
Monday, Nov. 20, 2017
Memorial Stadium (Lincoln, Neb.)
Pre Iowa
Quarterback Tanner Lee
On Coach Mike Riley
“A big thing I like about Coach Riley – I’ve always liked about him – is he’s the same guy every day. You know what you’re going to get from him. You know what he’s going to expect. He’s honest – just something I really appreciate about him. I think it helps our team. We learn from that. I’ve definitely learned from that. Just being focused on our team and the things that really matter and the things like that. I’ve learned a lot from him.”
On Coach Riley’s message to the team this week
“Just full steam ahead on Iowa. I think it’s our last opportunity to play a game with this team. We don’t want to short change that in any way. We’re going to prepare as hard as we can to come out and get a win, end on a high note, especially for the seniors, continue to attack this week, just like the rest of the weeks.”
On last year’s Iowa-Nebraska game and the rivalry overall
“It’s a big game. It’s an important game, just like every game, but I’m excited to play in this one, because I know how much it means to everyone, especially the guys that grew up here and have experienced this game for a long time. I think it’s a good opportunity, a good challenge, to play another good, hard-nosed Big Ten team, so I’m just looking forward to it.”
On the second quarter in the Penn State game
“[It was] a tough part of the film to watch – that second quarter. We just couldn’t get in rhythm, just couldn’t get the ball moving, couldn’t get anything going. It was just tough, like I said after the game. It happened quick. It was just something you have to eliminate from happening because those games can get out of hand pretty quickly if you just go six straight three-and-outs. That’s not good. That’s not going to help. It was just tough.”
On Stanley Morgan Jr.
“I think he’s an extremely valuable piece of our offense and especially from my perspective. Having him out there, just knowing he makes tough catches and he’s always open and having confidence in him. I’ve been able to throw it to him when he’s getting so much press coverage and double teams and things and he’s still making plays. So for Stanley to be close to getting that record is not surprising. He’s put in a ton of work. He’s a deserving player and hopefully we get it done.”
On the rivalry week
“I think a lot of these teams in the Big Ten, it feels like a rivalry every week, for me at least. So in my opinion, I take every game like it’s a rivalry because it means just as much every week.”
On the seniors
“Their consistency, especially for Tyler Hoppes, just getting his chance to start this year. I think he did a great job learning from the guys in the past, guys like Cethan Carter, where he just could learn behind players like that and then really blossom into just a great player that he’s been this year. He put in a lot of work. He wanted to have a good year and I think he has and as far as [De’Mornay Pierson-El], he’s been a great player here for a long time. I’ve learned a lot from him. It’s been a pleasure to play with him. He plays hard. When he gets the ball in his hands, he’s making plays and he’s done it all year long. It’s been a good year playing with them.”
On De’Mornay Pierson-El’s two stiff arms against Penn State
“Those are awesome. Those are a lot of fun to watch. That’s just the player he is. He gets the ball in his hands and he’s dangerous – special teams and all, so it’s been fun to watch him play.”
On declaring for the NFL
“To be honest, I haven’t put much thought into it. I don’t really have (an answer) for those questions right now. I’m going to talk to my family, my coaches, my teammates and things like that, but right now I don’t really feel like thinking about that. I want to enjoy my college experience and I want to enjoy playing Iowa and I think I’m just going to leave it at that for now.”
On records
“I don’t know how much I pay attention to [breaking records] in a game. I think we know it’s there. I think we know it’s out there and definitely want to achieve that. I think [breaking the Nebraska season receiving yards and reaching 1,000 receiving yards this season] would be great for [Stanley Morgan Jr.], but I don’t think it will affect us or hurt us in any way, trying to force things or doing anything different. Stanley being Stanley will get the ball in our offense plenty and have plenty of opportunities so hopefully it can happen for him.”
On his even keeled demeanor
“I’m not sure. I think it’s just the way I am, the way I’ve always been. I don’t usually let myself get too high or too low. You just want to be the same guy, a consistent guy. I’ve seen that in Coach Riley and I like that about him so I definitely try to mimic that in a lot of ways.”
On staying motivated
“I think [the motivation] comes from the same place. We take the field with the same pride in the work that we’ve done every week and wanting to play well and wanting to play together and enjoy playing together so that’s what keeps me going. That’s why I play hard and that’s why I’ve been playing hard every Saturday.”