Will Honas Quotes 10-26

Nebraska Football
Weekly Press Conference
Monday, Oct. 26, 2020
Pre Wisconsin

Press Conference Video

How well did the long offseason translate to the first game and how well can Wisconsin test that in a different way next weekend?
“I think it translated pretty well. Our run fits were pretty on point throughout the game. All offseason we've been meeting through Zoom and just trying to get as much work in as we could with the circumstances. I think that really showed on Saturday in the run fits. And then Wisconsin's going to be similar. They're really going to challenge us. Against Wisconsin, you have to be really detailed with your fits. They have a lot of shifts and motions that will try to get you out of your gaps. So, the key for us is going to be really detailed in film and practice this week, again, making sure we're in the right fits.”

What kind of mental or physical challenge does defending Wisconsin’s offense bring?
“I'd say it's a pretty good combination of both. They do a good job. They are a physical team, obviously.  They're always good on offensive line, good backs. And then they also do a good job with a lot of window dressing pre snap, trying to change your gap and get you out of your spot.”

How much different do you think you are as a player this season?
“I feel really good right now. I think coming off an ACL surgery, you have that problem of Patella tendonitis, just where they take the graft to make the reconstructed ACL. So, I think last year just struggling a little bit recovering because my knee would be sore. This year I feel really good and I think it'll show in the field.”

How did you create energy in Columbus in an empty stadium?
“I think everybody was just really excited to be back on the football field. It’s been a long time and we've been antsy since we got cancelled and since we got put back on, so I think there is no problem with energy. It’s obviously a little bit different without having fans and having to bring your own energy. But we've been practicing in the stadium with no one in there trying to get used to it with the simulated sound so I think we were prepared and brought some energy ourselves.”

Where do you think the team took the biggest steps as a unit compared to a year ago as a team?
“I'd say we were probably more physical throughout the game, especially against the run. I mean most of their run game was either quarterback scramble or just a few leaky players here and there. So I think we were physical enough. It's just about being more detailed and being smarter. Getting off the field on third and fourth down was probably our biggest issue on Saturday.”

What do you think about your effectiveness on the pass rush against Ohio State?
“I thought we had some pretty good blitzes dialed up. Good play calling by the coaches and then good execution by the D-line and outside linebackers. There’s a couple times where I was able to come for it.”

Do you feel like you had a safety in Saturday’s game?
“It was close. I wish they would have called it a safety, but it is what it is.”

What do you expect the experience to be like playing in Memorial Stadium on Saturday with no fans in attendance?
“It'll definitely be a little bit different. It's not going to be the same without all the fans. That's what makes Nebraska really special. But at the end of the day it's football. That's what we love to do. So we have to bring our own energy like we did last week and just try to play like there’s people in the stands.”

How has the addition of new coaches helped the linebacker room improve overall?
“I think coach Dawson coach McGovern definitely helped us helped us take a next step up. They've got a lot of experience both in the NFL and in college football. Having those guys around, it's a little bit more detailed and they’re on us a little bit harder just trying to get us in our fits and doing the right things in pass coverage.”

NU Athletic Communications