Collin Miller Quotes 11-16

Nebraska Football
Weekly Press Conference
Monday, Nov. 16, 2020
Pre Illinois

Press Conference Video

What did you think of the defensive performance on Saturday?

“Definitely think what we wanted to focus on this week was starting off the game hot. Being very physical and fast. Over the past two weeks before this game, I think we always let the team run down the field and score on us from the first drive. So we wanted to make sure that throughout the whole week that we started fast Monday, Tuesday and continued on throughout the whole week of knowing our assignments and our alignments and doing our job and not waiting, attacking them, not pitter pattering around and feeling it out and seeing that OK we can play with these guys. Just attacking to them on the on the first drive. So I think that kind of set the tone. We did very well on getting turnovers this time, helping our offense get in better positions on the field. Special teams has improved for us, too. I know we’ve got a lot of defensive guys on special teams, so I know [defensive coordinator Erik Chinander] and everybody else like that likes when our players are on special teams and making collisions. Yeah, it was good week.”

When do you feel the strain of playing 90-plus snaps on defense?

“You definitely probably feel it more Sunday. When you're out there, your adrenaline's going. The thrill of it, being on the field, knowing that you gotta make a stop, knowing that your teammates are relying on you. You kind of just push. At times when there's a long run, you kind of feel a little winded, but you kind of get your air back to you pretty fast. But yeah, Sunday you come into the training room, kind of nicks and bruises and legs kind of feeling kind of heavy and sluggish. But our trainers to do a good job of getting us right for preparation and get ready to go for Monday.”

How hard is it to play every snap in a in a game where the defense is out there that much and what makes JoJo Domann such a valuable part of the defense?

“Yeah, JoJo is one of those guys that you just need on the field. You would love him to be on the field every play. I think he was on the field every play of the game for the defense. He makes you know that he's on that field with you. You know, he's making TFLs. He's deflecting balls. He's encouraging guys left and right. So having JoJo on that field, I think it was 90 plus plays he played Saturday. I mean, I don't think I saw him slow down one time or kind of can tell that he played 90 plus plays. Play 90 looked like play 14 for him. So he's one of those guys that takes a toll on everyone else around him when he's out there on the field. You know, everyone kinda looks to JoJo when things get hard and JoJo's right there being a leader. But yeah, I mean we see it throughout the whole week. He practices hard. He studies the film hard. He grades himself hard. So what you guys see on Saturday is all the work he puts in and he finally gets to show you guys, too.

What are some of the key pointers you give the younger players on how to get through the season?

“Myles Farmer, Quinton Newsome, Luke Reimer. All those guys, you know, they love football. Every time I go in the film room or you know, veteran guys like Dicaprio Bootle and I go into the film room, they’re right in there right before us trying to perfect their craft and, you know, study film on the opponent. So I mean, it's I don't think it's too hard of getting those guys kind of like locked in and ready to go for the games. I think when their numbers are called, they're ready to go and they just want to show their talents that they have. But yeah, they prepare hard, they play hard. They love football. They love Nebraska. So I think their going to be great football players down the road.”

How did going against Penn State’s second quarterback help you in preparing for what you might see on Saturday against Illinois?

“Yeah, Illinois, you know they've dealt with some COVID issues and situations over there. I think they had three or four quarterbacks that they've played throughout this whole year. Brandon Peters was out with COVID, then No. 7 played a couple snaps and then No. 1 lead them to the victory against Rutgers. So I mean one thing about Illinois, it's kind of hard because they switched their whole concept around the quarterback and who's in and who's not in. So if Brandon Peters plays are going to have a whole different situation than if No. 1 is playing that's gonna try and run the ball more. So yeah, I definitely think Penn State had a good little run game going on with their quarterback. Taking guys out of the box and then making a linebacker make the one on one tackle with the quarterback and attack coming up to him. But everyone just gotta do their job when it happens.”

Did today feel different than Mondays in the past and what can the Penn State win do for the team moving forward?

“Yeah, definitely a Monday after a win’s way different than a Monday after a loss. You know, you got guys coming in just smiles on their faces, not hanging their heads and thinking about the game that was on Saturday. But yeah, I definitely think this win on Saturday, last Saturday, it was a huge one. I think, like I said before, this is gonna get the ball rolling. It's going to show guys, you know, what it feels like to win. You know, I think that's what the younger guys needed to feel. I think that's what a lot of guys need to feel. Winning feels great. We need more of them and you find ways to get more of them. So, I think this is gonna get the ball rolling. I think this is going to help, you know, get that little extra push that everyone needs to find a way to finish. But yeah, I mean there's no better feeling in that locker room after a win. So we need more of them.”

NU Athletic Communications