Adrian Martinez Quotes - 9/23

Nebraska Football
Weekly Press Conference
Memorial Stadium (Lincoln, Neb.)
Monday, Sept. 23, 2019
Ohio State

Adrian Martinez
Sophomore, Quarterback
On last year's game with Ohio State
“I’m not sure what they’re approach was going into that game, but I can speak on us and I know we were ready to play that week. We came out and there were a few plays that could have made a difference. Like you said, we could’ve been up there late in the game, but we were ready to play and the same goes for this week.”
 
On the last quarter and a half of the Illinois game 
“It’s not ideal to be down 14, so I wouldn’t phrase it as fun, but I think it is fun when you see the look in the other guys' eyes and you know and they know we’re going to go in there and score, and we’re confident and that’s what we were that game. And going back and getting the win, stuff like that is fun.” 
 
On what went right in the last part of the game 
“We took care of the football and we just had the right mindset and people were doing their jobs, executing and making the plays work. Regardless of what the circumstance was, regardless of the score, whatever we were doing out there, taking it one play at a time. One drive and we're making the plays work, and I think we were all operating as one team out there.”
 
On his mental approach in pressure situations 
“I think people can get caught up in that sometimes. I made it a point on the sideline, and I know a lot of other players did as well, speaking up that you can’t get it all back in one play. You have to just take it one play at a time. Kind of chop at it and chop at it and just be persistent, and I think that’s what we were this past Saturday.”
 
On the buzz of this week 
“There’s a lot of excitement about College GameDay coming in and Ohio State. They’re a very good team coming in this Saturday. Our guys are focused, and that’s what we’re going to continue to be. Stacking good days. There’s not much else to it. The guys know the task at hand and realize that we have to be dialed in and focused this week.”
 
On ESPN College GameDay coming to Lincoln
“I think that’s how it should be. This is Nebraska. This is big time college football. I’m excited that College GameDay’s back here this Saturday and that’s the way it should be again.”
 
On ball security 
“It’s something that we work on each day in practice. We put an emphasis on it, but it’s something that we’re going to continue to improve on. Turnovers. That was an issue this past Saturday. We realize we've got to get it fixed if we’re going to become a good football team.”
 
On practice with the buzz around this weekend 
“We came out and had a good day. It’s important, obviously it’s Ohio State, it’s a big game for us this week. Our guys came to work as usual. Monday’s a tough day coming back from a tough Saturday game, and the guys came to work today and I’m proud of them for that. I think our mind was in the right place.”
 
On Martinez meeting Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields 
“At the Under Armour All-American game, I met him there. He didn’t play in the game, but we played a lot of ping pong that week. Got to talk smack there. He’s pretty good at ping pong, but we tried to stay on the same team on that one.”
 
On respect for Justin Fields' game 
“I think he’s a really talented player. He’s had a great season so far.”
 
On Ohio State’s defense 
“They’re a very talented team. Their players play fast. They go out there and make plays. There’s not too much to be said there. I think they do a good job with their scheme. They’re a talented team and they do their job well.”
 
On success against Ohio State 
“Coach Frost had a great game plan and the rest of the coaches of course, and we went out there and did our job. That’s what it comes down to. Going out there and being decisive. Making the plays work and doing what you have to do whether that be running the ball, whether that be throwing the ball.”
 
On Ohio State’s secondary 
“We’re going to go about it as we usually do. We’ll have plays designed no matter what the case may be. For this week, for this particular matchup, it’s going to be important. Accuracy and making sure I’m on the same page as my wide receivers.”
 
On junior wide receiver JD Spielman 
“I don’t like seeing JD getting hit like that but he has my back. He went up there and made a ton of tough catches and he came back. He’s a true warrior, and I think that speaks to the type of player JD is. He’s willing to bounce back and he’s willing to play for his teammates.”
 
On freshman wide receiver/running back Wan’Dale Robinson 
“It was only a matter of time for Wan’Dale. His opportunity came against Illinois and he stepped up to the plate and as we say, fell back on his training. He’s been showing it in practice, showed it in fall camp. I think it’s only the beginning for him.”
 
On recommendations for the guest predictor on Saturday morning 
“I’ll leave that up to them. I think everyone knows what my pick would be.”
NU Athletic Communications