Adrian Martinez Quotes - 11/30

Nebraska Football
Pre-Purdue
Monday, Nov. 30, 2020

Press Conference Video

On thoughts from the Iowa game 
"Yeah, I felt pretty good. Relatively, I feel like I was efficient. There are obviously a few decisions I'd like to have back, but I think that's pretty normal. The little things biting us again that we have to clean up and that's our whole offensive unit I know and it's never fun to lose, so tough lessons but I know we are getting better. I know all of us are taking something away from a game like that."  
 
On how to improve on the little things 
"Yeah, well I would say we're just going to continue to keep putting effort towards those things in practice. I think that's all we can do, and I think those teams that do execute those little details they're doing those things in practice and they're executing it when their name and the time calls for them to do so in the game, and obviously, that's me getting better in practice, that's our whole offensive unit. We're going to keep hammering those details, and I think that's all we can really do."  
 
On the culture of the team going into this final stretch of the season 
"Yeah, well I think you said it. it's about grit. It's about wanting to win the rest of the season. That stuff is in the past. All we have now is Purdue this week and we have to make the most of it. And our guys are going to come out with fire and intensity this week to get it done. That's what culture is. That's what the desire to win is, and we're going to come with that type of attitude this week because we have to."
 
On staying engaged despite not starting against Penn State and Illinois  
"More importantly, my mindset was that of a captain. Our captains are voted on by the team, and that's something that means a lot to me. It's an honor, you know, and I owe it to those guys to give it everything I have and that was really my mindset, you know. Regardless of the fact that I've been demoted, I was going to be there to support Luke and support our team, because I mean, that's what matters. That's what I came here to do, and my mindset didn't shift. I wanted to win. I still want to win and showing up each and every day with that type of attitude and mindset, it’s what leaders do it’s what good leaders do."  
 
On if the coaches were clear about the quarterback situation  
"I feel like the coaches did a good job of that, and I'm not really going to give up too many details here because I think stuff like that needs to stay in house. But yeah, I had a complete understanding and again, it wasn't going to change my mindset towards practice, towards games. I was still going to approach everything but the same sort of intensity and competitiveness that I would usually and obviously being that captain being a good teammate to others. That stuff wasn't going to change."  
 
On helping Cam Jurgens  
"For me personally, just giving feedback. I know he knows me coming up to him and getting in his face and anything like that, I don't think that's going to help the situation. Just getting extra reps, whether that be before practice after practice on off days, he's putting in the work. I know it's something that matters a lot to him, so just helping him with that process. I think that's all I can do and the rest of the quarterbacks, really."  
 
On getting on teammates and challenging teammates in this day and age  
"Yeah, it’s interesting because I think my opinion, my mindset towards that's kind of changed a little bit. I always kind of believe that great players, good players like to be coached hard.  But people are different, you know, especially here in Nebraska. Guys come from all different types of cultures and environments, so I believe it's kind of a case-to-case type of deal, and getting to know that person getting to know that that player and what motivates them is a big piece of that. I would say generally with my generation guys tend not to like to be yelled at and stuff like that, especially in group settings. So little things like that you have to know in my position as a captain and trying to get on those guys yeah , I definitely do that, but I don't want to yell in front of in front of the whole team and embarrass them. You know, so sometimes that means pulling him aside and coaching him up that way."  
 
On figuring out which players don’t respond as well to tough love 
"Yeah, I think the way you're asking this question, you're alluding to it, but it's tricky. You know, it really is tricky, and with kind of what we stand for here in Nebraska, and yeah, some of that old school tough love. There's definitely a place for that. And it does play a role here in our program. If you can have the combination of those two and some guys you know, not everyone is going to be a perfect fit. Not everyone's gonna love that style, but that's our culture, you know. And that's what the coaches want to establish. That's what our leaders want to establish, so it's kind of that blend of the two, and I believe that's just the current state of the athlete in my opinion."  
 
On his personal response to tough coaching 
"I like it personally. Obviously, you guys know my coach Verduzco, he's a big details guy and he's going to be hard on us as quarterbacks and demand a lot and I respect that, and I love that personally. Whether that means yelling or not yelling, that sort of thing I think it just depends, you know. For me, I know when a coach is coaching me hard that means he cares."  
 
On Friday’s quarterback changeups   
"Yeah, well, I was prepared for it. I think that's all you can ask for really and I was ready. You know, whatever the coaches think that we need to do to win, I'm ready to make that happen. So that was the situation for that game, and I was well prepared and stayed engaged and Luke [McCaffrey] did the same. So, I feel like we executed that plan pretty well, the two of us."  
 
On if Friday was the most comfortable he has felt throwing the ball 
"You could definitely say that. I felt really comfortable and confident back there, and obviously, there are few decisions I would have liked to have back. I think when you know I scrambled, I could have held in there a little bit longer and made a throw. I believe those are normal things and when you look back and hindsight's 20/20. Yeah, I'd say in general that was the most comfortable I felt."  
 
On the running back situation  
"Yeah, I would say it's not any different than what we're going through as a team. Just adversity and I believe Coach Held does a really good job with those guys and that's why we're so confident in him. It doesn't matter who's back there for Luke or myself, we know they're going to be able to get the job done whether it comes to pass protection or whatever they're being asked of when it comes to running a route or getting the ball handed off to them. You saw Rahmir [Johnson] get some extensive action this last Friday and he did a good job. We're confident in those guys and we're going to continue to be that way no matter who's back there. 'cause of coach Held and the rest of the staff and the part that we all play and making sure those guys are prepared."  
 
On if the Purdue game from 2019 sticks out to him more than others 
"Yeah, it definitely does, and I'll keep some of that personal to me, but definitely a game I'll remember and one that we made too many mistakes offensively. The defense played really well and something that we'll have to learn from going into this game. Yeah, sorry I couldn't give you a better answer there."  

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