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Nebraska Football
Pre-Buffalo
Monday, Sept. 6, 2021
Press Conference Video
On the crowd and noise
“I would not say so. I think with the group of guys we have we know crowd noise or not communication is a big deal so we emphasize that so we haven’t had any issues.”
On his performance against Fordham
“Pretty solid. You know there are always a few things I wish I could have back. A few miscommunications. We are getting those cleaned up. That is part of the game and I am glad we put them on film so we can get them fixed. It is always better after a win.”
On Buffalo
“Well they are an athletic talented group and they are going to be ready to play. They played a really good solid first game. Obviously put up a lot of points against Wagner I believe. They are going to come in here and challenge us and we have to be ready to go.”
On “Power Five” Teams
“It was a great week of college football last weekend. You saw Montana beat Washington and you saw schools from FCS to non-Power Five schools. Like you eluded to it is more of a level playing field now than ever. Anyone can beat anyone on Saturday so you have to be ready to go.”
On Samori Toure and Markese Stepp
“It definitely helps in that transition in understanding the playbook. Knowing how to play football. Knowing what it is like to play big time college football. There is definitely an element to that that has helped their transition and made them able to play right away.”
On watching other games
“It all depends. Maybe if we are coming off of a tough loss I don’t necessarily want to go watch football right away. I might take a break and then watch it at night. But I love the game. I love college football. I love NFL. When Minnesota and Ohio State were playing I was watching that game. It is fun. It is what it is about so I try. It is not like I sit down and watch an entire day on Saturday. You know I have my own game. I have my own things to focus on.”
On Logan Smothers
“It was awesome. Awesome getting to see him get out there and just enjoy playing the game. Thought he made some really nice decisions. I know he was happy. Happy that he got to go out there and showcase his skills a little bit.”
“As opposed to say one day he gets his first start and that is the first time he gets into a college game. I think just getting his feet under him and seeing what it is like playing in front of Memorial and having that type of environment. I think it is big for a young guy. And a little confidence boost as well. A little assurance comes along with that.”
On the Red Carpet Experience
“I got to talk with some of the kids that were a part of the Road Race the day before. There was a lot of noise made about the sellout streak and the amount of fans that were going to be in the stands and you can focus on that side. Or there is the other side where man what an opportunity some of these kids have never been able to come to a game got. After the game I got to take a picture with the Boys and Girls Club of Lincoln. You could just see the joy on their faces. You could see how much it meant to them to be there. They never experienced anything like that. And I am just blessed to be in the position that I am to have that sort of impact. it was amazing and I hope they enjoyed it. And I know there were countless other kids that got that first opportunity on Saturday and it is something to cherish. Something that is special.”
On inspiring young kids
“Maybe for some of them it gives them a goal. Something to shoot for. Something to aspire to. And hopefully myself and the other teammates were good examples of what young men should look like. And how they should act. Maybe they didn’t know it was something that was attainable for them and they are getting to see it on full display in Lincoln, Nebraska. So pretty cool stuff.”
On the running game
“Well its huge. I would say it is the foundation of our offense and most offenses. You get the run game going you are no longer as predictable. Get the defense on their toes a little bit. They have to defend the run. And its big for our offensive linemen. It is big for our pass rush. It is monumental for the entire offense.”
On Markese Stepp
“He has experience playing college football and getting his feet under him was big for him this last game. It is huge for our backfield to have a guy that can take a lot of carries. But I know there a lot of guys in that room that who will be ready if they need to be.”
On the 9/11 anniversary
“Just for reference I was born in 2000 so hopefully that makes some of you feel old. But it is an important part of our culture and something we grow up in schools with every year. I got the chance to visit New York and the twin towers memorial which is very special to me. It is huge and they have just thousands of names across that structure there and it is a big part America. I am thankful we get to represent in some form and hopefully make those proud who served.”
On finding his calm
“Searching for that and I found that. The key for me is just continuing to study in the film room and trust my teammates is the big thing. Trust that they are going to do their jobs and I have a job to do myself.”
On the importance of film
“The defense is going to do what they are going to do you can’t necessarily predict what they are going to be in but it makes things a little more predictable on my end. The quarterback position is a bit of a thinking position but you strive to not think too much. Taking a little bit of that equation out of it and things becoming easier on that end when you spend more time in the film room.”
On the offensive line
“I feel really good about that room right now and the culture they are setting. Continuing to build. It is an ever going process. And that group is only getting better.”
NU Athletic Communications
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