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Nebraska Football
Pre-Minnesota
Monday, Dec. 7, 2020
Press Conference Video
On his upcoming Senior Day at Memorial Stadium
“It'll obviously be different. This whole year has been different. Nothing can really be unexpected at this point with this year. So it's going to be another game for us, and we're going to prepare like any other game we would and go out there and try to get the W.”
On the significance of the Minnesota game based on the game last year or because it is Senior Day
“It's not really anything of huge significance that its Senior Day, but definitely last year they ran the ball down our throats and it is something we are going to be more prepared for this year.”
On the course of his career and his highlights at Nebraska since signing out of high school
“Honestly, not even close, not even close to anything I envisioned coming out of high school. My goal coming out of high school was to hopefully be a starter by my junior year, get two full years of playing in and being able to contribute. Obviously, I envisioned having a lot more success than we've had, but it's been definitely different. Some of the highlights for sure that Michigan State win last year, and honestly the win last week was one of the happier games we've had. One of the happier moments, best feelings I've had in the locker room.”
On commonalities among the seniors and one word to describe the whole group
“One of the first things they tell you when you come into a program is, ‘look around, a lot of the guys you see right here on day one aren’t going to be with you when you are leaving on Senior Day.’ You know, you don't really believe it. You don't really think too much about it, but it's crazy. This group of seniors, I love them all to death. I think all the adversity we've faced has brought us all really close together. One word, I'd say, is really resilient. The resiliency these guys have shown over the last five years has been impressive.”
On Nebraska’s defense enjoying playing together
“A lot of it is just like the guys that are still here, especially my class, these older guys, we've been through a lot together. We've seen a lot together. We've been through a lot of adversity together, and you know, we have a lot of trust with one another and that really makes it enjoyable to play together when you can trust your guys, young or old just to do their job.”
On the mindset of the team and potentially playing three more games and finishing with a winning record
“Definitely getting a win last week, I think really helped the team as a whole, just the trajectory of where this thing is going. We know internally we've been improving. But it is nice when you can get a win to show that result. I think everyone on the team is definitely hungry to finish the season out strong and potentially have a winning season.”
On the potential of coming back next year
“It’s not something I've given a ton of thought, given we still have these last couple games. I'm really just focused on just finishing strong this season and we’ll kind of get to that after the season.”
On whether the seniors have talked among each other about potentially coming back
“Honestly, no. This group, like I said, they've been through a lot, but the core group of us, especially the senior group is just really focused on finishing this season that we're in right now, you know, being present in the moment. All that will kind of take care of itself later.”
On the importance of becoming a strong run-stopping defense this season
“It's something we take pride in up front, me and the rest of the D-line especially. That's our main job in the Big Ten, you know that's our first priority. Stop the run, trying to make the team as one-dimensional as possible and then try and rush the quarterback after that.”
On the growth of defensive linemen Casey Rogers and Ty Robinson
“They have definitely made a lot of improvement over last year especially. I’m happy with how they're playing. Really good to see them just put it all together and be able to do it at a high level at such a young age.”
On gaining confidence in his growth after moving from outside linebacker/defensive end to defensive tackle
“It was something I was having to grow into just going from the smaller position at outside backer and then moving inside to a 3-4 defense, coming into a 4-3 defense my freshman year. It was something that took some time to grow into. It doesn't come naturally, I don't think. Two-gapping, in general, is tough and it's not something that kids out in high school are used to doing. It was definitely something that took some time. I would say, not my first year with this staff but my second year in the staff is when I really began to get a lot more confident in my ability, just be able to execute the defense. Size-wise, too, I was trying to put on a ton of weight from that redshirt freshman to redshirt sophomore year. I was able to put it on, but it was tough to hang onto throughout the season. So I really needed two offseasons to be able to get it on and hold it on like I've been able to these last couple of years.”
On the team staying on track and improving despite the challenges caused by COVID-19
“I definitely think it's a strong tribute just to our coaches as leaders, and then the players on the team's leaders, too. Your team is going to envision and embody really what your head coach is, and Coach Frost is as competitive as anyone I know, and so the team really kind of takes on that persona. And the same thing with the players that are leaders too, definitely do a great job of just their mindset. I think that it's a group of mature guys, that really helps mindset-wise some of the younger guys, especially. I know myself personally coming in your first couple of years, especially that redshirt year, it's tough to have the proper mindset, especially to get through a grinding season like that. So I think it's something that comes with time, something that's built through adversity.”
NU Athletic Communications