Adrian Martinez Quotes - 9/3

Nebraska Football
Weekly Press Conference
Memorial Stadium (Lincoln, Neb.)
Monday, Sept. 3, 2018
Pre-Colorado

Freshman Quarterback Adrian Martinez

On his experience before the game was cancelled
“Obviously we were all really excited. I was just trying to listen for that tunnel walk song because I didn’t know what it was going to be. So I had to look back and see what it ended up being but it was an amazing moment. I think the fans, the players, we were all so ready to go and unfortunately never got a chance to play that out. We’re going to have another shot this Saturday so it should be fun.”

On how everyone handled the game being cancelled
“It was tough. We had been working for this moment obviously but once that ended, once I knew the game had ended, my mind shifted to well okay, Colorado. I think it was a vocal point today to make sure everyone knew that’s behind us now. Akron, that game, it got cancelled. It is what it is, we have to move on to Colorado. That’s what I was just really trying to push today, trying to have my best day. Trying to go hard and I think a lot of the guys were the same.”

On what he did Sunday
“I didn’t really do too much of anything honestly. Just came here for brunch, watched a little film on Colorado. Nothing too spectacular. Saw LSU and Miami play.”

On what his preparation was for the game and if this will help him for future games
“I think in a sense it can be, but that was kind of like the Boneyard Bash. We had that walkthrough. I felt like I was prepared and ready to go regardless. I felt like I didn’t need that little extra help I guess you could say. I felt like I was ready to go. I was excited, I wasn’t nervous and I guess having that extra experience added on. It’ll be even easier this coming Saturday.”

On how the quarterbacks have responded since Tristan Gebbia transferred
“We obviously already had a quarterback leave in Patrick O’Brian and I think we kind of treated it the same way. It’s sad to see a quarterback go when you grow tight as a unit. But at the same time, a guy has to step up. (Andrew) Bunch stepped up, Matt Masker is stepping up and we got to move on. There’s not much time to think about the past. Think about players that are leaving we have to focus on the guys that are here. We realize that so we’re just firing on all cylinders now.”

On if Colorado had recruited him
“Yeah, they offered me pretty early on. I’m not sure if they have the same offensive coordinator there now, what exactly their situation is but definitely a place I looked at a little bit. I think they were having a good year when they were recruiting me. Whoever their quarterback was they were having a good year. Didn’t really hold onto it for too long. Didn’t feel like it was a good fit for me.”

On if anything from their defense has jumped out at him
“Not yet necessarily. We’re just kind of diving in at this point, but it’s a different look than Akron. I think they’re a little bit more similar to our defense and it’ll be a good challenge for us. They bring a couple different things to the table.”

On his family coming in
“I would say that was one of the more disappointing things for me. My immediate family. My dad, step mom, step sister and my little brother came out and it had been a while since I had seen them and this was probably the only game they all could come to. It was sad that they didn’t get to see me play. It’s been a while as well. They weren’t at the All-American game, I was a junior in high school the last time they saw me in person. That was disappointing but it is what it is they’ll watch me on TV next Saturday.”

On if he at least got to make the call in the huddle before the game was cancelled
“We knew the play. It wasn’t technically a huddle. I felt good about it too.”

On if he got under center before they cancelled
“Not necessarily, we were just kind of running out there and I saw the guy running out there with his hands up. I took my mouth piece out. I thought we were at least going to get a play off. It is what it is.”:

On what the first play called was
“I’m going to keep it confidential but you can just say it was going to be a good one. We felt pretty confident about it.”

On what Monday’s practice was so good
“I think we just brought the energy. It was tough. It was going to be a tough day for us, coming from a cancelled game. Not necessarily something you’d expect but we came in with energy. Offense and defense we were firing on all cylinders really. It starts from everybody. It starts in warm ups which you guys have seen you know. When we attack that, get things going, it sets the tone for a good day and we had a good day today.”