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Nebraska Football
Weekly Press Conference
Monday, Nov. 16, 2020
Pre Illinois
Press Conference Video
On stopping the quarterback run moving forward
“You know we're just going to have to hold our ground, be able to play our team as a defense pretty well. For me, I know like this going in this last game against Penn State, we knew that their O-line was going to hold their double teams on us pretty long, so we just knew we had to hold them for other guys to make the plays. So we're just giving chances to our guys going to make plays. I'm just here to do whatever I can for the team obviously. So I think that's the biggest challenge, just holding my ground so I know I can give enough time for my teammates to go make a play.”
On the Husker defense building momentum after two strong performances
“Yeah, I feel like we're gelling really well in practice. We're finally understanding. We’re finally getting to trust each other enough to where we know that that guy is going to do his job. I’ve got to worry about only my job and not having to worry about, I don't know if he's going to do his job or not. I just feel like the chemistry of the defense in general has really gained since last season. Even though we're 1-2, I mean, we've seen the progress throughout the whole entire season. So I really feel like chemistry, that we're all gelling together, I think that’s what’s helping us play to this standard, this high level.”
On the pride in the defensive line when Ben Stille made the final play of the game against Penn State
“The feelings and emotions that rushed through my body, I mean they were unexplainable. Ben has worked so hard all five years he's been here, and to make that play, I mean that's the kind of player he is. When it comes down to that crunch-time opportunities, that pressure. I expect it out of him out of anybody else on the line. I know, I have that trust. I know he's going to make that play.”
On the physical demands of playing that many snaps in the game, and when was the last time it happened
“I'd have to say it was probably my junior year of high school, senior year of high school is probably (the last time I played) that many snaps. I can tell you this, right after the game I went home, laid down and I don’t even remember shutting my eyes, and I woke up the next morning. So I mean, I took that whole time after the game, I slept and I didn't wake up until late that next morning. I think sleep, that’s what helped me best in the recovery. I mean sleep’s the best recovery for your body, so I feel pretty great today. I'm ready for another week of practice to go to take on Illinois.”
Penn State’s offensive line compared to Ohio State and Northwestern
“I definitely think Ohio State has a pretty good line. I think they have the best line. Penn State - they were strong and big. We knew it was going to be physical going in. We knew it was going to be a battle. We just had to hold our ground, hold our gaps, just play our defense and then like I said earlier, just let our guys go make plays because we knew that we were going to have to win that game in the trenches in order to help our guys to make plays.”
On being better defensively on third downs to get off the field
“We’ve just got to be able to cage the passer, cage the quarterback. The pass rush has got to be better, obviously. We’ve got to get back there. I just feel like our pressure isn't as good, but it's slowly getting there. I feel like especially after seeing what we did against Penn State, when we had a few pressures. Ben Stille with the game-winning (play). So I feel like we're definitely going in the right direction. But I definitely think the pass rush is what we're going to have to work on.”
On meeting Luke McCaffrey the first time and what is he like as a guy and a leader
“Luke was actually my roommate when I first moved here over the summer, coming in. That man is a ball of energy. Rooming with him made me open up my eyes and see what kind of person he is, the kind of guy he is, and he's a great guy and especially a great leader, too. He's definitely stepped up the position and the role on this team, and I feel like he's got that fire in him to get the other guys going. I feel like that's going to be the key to our offense is just you’ve got that fire, that competitive edge to where we're going to start seeing some good things happen.”
Is he really like that all the time?
“All the time and I love it, so it's great to be his roommate.”
NU Athletic Communications