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Nebraska Football
Pre-Illinois
Monday, Aug. 23, 2021
Press Conference Video
On being named captain
“It’s a lot to take in. But I believe. I got it. Just taking on that roll of being a captain is huge. It is a dream come true. Just watching the guys before me as we voted for them in the years before. Just to see those reactions. Just to see them carry on that captain name alongside their name is something real. I am ready for it and just ready to lead this team to where we need to get to.”
On receiving his Blackshirt
“I believe it was our (athletic director). Yeah most definitely. So it was special.”
On being recognized by his peers
“I believe I have done an OK job honestly. I believe since a freshman I have always spoke a lot and let it be known where I was on the field. Let you know when you are wrong and when I am wrong. I have never been the person to I say talk back when someone is trying to get on me because I understand if I am not doing my job I want you to get on me. I believe with the leader mentality that just helps me out a lot.”
On the defensive back position
“Them boys they compete. Honestly they come out there every day. We have a production chart as the (defensive backs). We instantly run into meeting to try and see who is at the top of the board and see what we need to get today. So it really makes it a lot of competition when we go out to practice. Everybody wants to get a hand on the ball. Everybody wants to get out there and force a fumble. Get an interception. Just to make a play. I believe that helps so much as far as playing defense as well. The production chart just gives you something to look at. Look at your production or what you are doing at practice so it just gives everyone a little bit of competition. As far as the backs you have Tyreke (Johnson). You have Quinton Newsome. Those guys are going at it. They really are.”
On the secondary who received Blackshirts
“It was me. Deontai Williams and Marquel Dismuke.”
On Damien Daniels
“I have known Damien since I got here. He kind of took me under his wheel as an older brother and just to see him get that opportunity just like me was crazy. We lowkey almost cried together. I was like man you all just named us captains. So we really took it all in. Yeah that’s my brother.”
On last year’s game against Illinois
“It is old news. You see the score in the past. It is not what we wanted it to be. It is a new year. New mentality on the team. It is the best team I have seen since I have been here as a far as production wise. Togetherness. Like I said it is an old game I don’t remember much.”
On preparing for Illinois
“Most definitely it is. But we stick to our game plan and we go out there and execute our plays. Defend their plays the way we need to. Run our defense. Then it doesn’t matter.”
On playing Week 0
“This is why you are at Nebraska. The light show and cameras are always here. They have to be ready for that. We just can not let that overwhelm anybody because it is the first week of college football just to kick everything off. Everybody needs to stay locked in. Do not jump into the hype. Like I said stay locked in and focus on the game. We really have to get this one. I want to so bad.”
On changing opinions
“We change a lot of opinions when we play our football. Not to the level of our competition. I believe we do that sometimes. We get down on ourselves if something happens in the game. We have to come back to the sideline and re-up everybody. But I believe now as things have gone on through fall camp some have gone bad but I see everybody running to that guy and say hey come on you are good everything is going to be ok next play. So that helps out a lot.”
On the team’s momentum
“Starts with special teams. We start with special teams every day at practice. And that’s where it really starts. That’s the kick. The ball is kicked to start of the game off. And we have to set the stone with that. And that is one thing they harp on. Because kick off we want to kick the ball off. If we are going to return it we have to set it right then and there because that sets the momentum for the game. Like I said we cant get down on ourselves. That’s why everybody’s spirits have to be up.”
On the kick return plan
“You just have an instinct. Knowing the game of football just playing a long time. Just getting in with my coaches and watching film on whether we should return it or I should fair catch it. it is all a part of the game plan.”
On the turnover plan
“I tell the guys it’s a bit of joke but when they drop a pick I say you haven’t been to Cam class because I try and lead the group in interceptions. So when they drop a pick I am like hey you have not been to class lately you have been skipping. So I just try and stay on guys by getting turnovers. It doesn’t matter interceptions forced fumbles. Just get it any way you can.”
On the defensive mentality
“I can say Coach Frost harps on turnovers for the defense. And not having turnovers on offense. So I believe he embedded it into our heads even before fall camp. We were talking about it right after the season. But he just stays on us about getting the ball back for the offense. And who wouldn’t want to get an interception to help the team out.”
NU Athletic Communications