Nebraska Football
vs. Fordham
Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021
Press Conference Video
On game environment and crowd
“The crowd was great. I have been in a couple other hostile environments as well. It wasn't really hostile today because we're at home, but with big crowds, it was nothing too new to me. But there's no fans like people here. I haven't seen a fan base like this ever. We had barely had about 40 people on a regular basis. The fan base here is insane. It was pretty fun to run it.”
On the offensive game plan
“We work really hard, everyday. It wasn't a surprise to me or anybody else. Because we know what we're capable of when we do our job. We don't make mistakes because we have our assignments. We could do this against any team day in and day out.”
On the third quarter
“I think we got pretty downhill all game, in my opinion. Sometimes it's not gonna be there. But I keep hitting always because eventually one will break. I felt like we had a couple of good long runs. The offensive line blocked really well today. They were moving the line of scrimmage, which makes our job a lot easier so hats off to them and them doing their job. After taking all the criticism last week they came out here and did their thing today and I'm proud of them.”
On team momentum
“I feel like we always had confidence, not to talk about last week. But we beat ourselves. I felt this was the game that we were supposed to win. But you always have to respect any opponent you play. There was no difference in the preparation from last week to this week. We continue to work hard like always and we'll continue to respect every opponent. They came out and they were hitting especially player 47.”
On the support the team has for each other
"You know all summer we had a chip on our shoulder. People questioned what we're going to do this year. But we knew what we had in the room and we continue to support each other no matter what and we continue to compete. We're all close off the field which makes it even better because it’s genuine. When somebody has success we all succeed which you don’t see at all schools."
On the culture of Nebraska football
"Sometimes, people can get jealous but here we have each other's back no matter what. It’s so unique to see everybody coming together even if their number isn't called. Having that positive energy on the sidelines makes a difference because if your number is called you have to be ready. If you have a negative attitude you’re not going to perform on the field."
On Nebraska spreading the ball around playing a factor into having each others backs
"Honestly that doesn't play a factor at all. Regardless if you don’t get in at all we're still going to support each other. I don't think it matters who gets the carries or how it's divided. I think it's because we're genuine people in that room. We really truly support each other no matter if you don't get a play."
On the younger backs learning how to play at the collegiate level
"I know from when I was younger, it's definitely a process that you go through. For the majority of people it takes a while to learn because holes close faster on the college level. You may think you have it but then it closes up and you have to think quickly with another plan. I think they're doing a pretty good job honestly. Compared to when I was a freshman, they are way ahead because they come in to work. They're very mature and made the transition easy. Everybody is really committed to getting better day in and day out. There's competition every day."
On the difference between the Fordham game and the Illinois game
"We eliminated the mistakes. Especially in the Big Ten, the margin for error is so little. At the Illinois game, we had a big play with a holding penalty and that changed the whole game. Today I feel like eliminating mistakes really helped to win the game."
NU Athletic Communications