Markese Stepp Quote 9-6-21

Nebraska Football
Pre-Buffalo
Monday, Sept. 6, 2021

Press Conference Video

On the last time he had that many carries
“High school. Probably my senior year because I did not play my junior year. I feel good I am like 215 that is the lightest I have been since high school so I feel pretty good physically mentally I feel pretty good. Just continue to come in and work day in and day out and just improve on the things that I can do better and that we can do better as a team.”
 
On weight and physical health
“At one point my freshman year I got up to like 240 one time. The year after that I was 235 my sophomore year. Last year I played at 225 and then this year 218 215. When I came here I was originally like 230 especially after an injury and COVID I was like 230.”
 
On if he had family at the game
“Just my mom.”
 
On what his mom thought of the game
“I think all the boxes were checked off. She loved the atmosphere. She said the fans were she said they were insane. It was a pretty good day.”
 
On the transfer portal
“When I entered the portal honestly it was more than high school like the way that everybody shoots at you at one time. So I was really just like I want this next move to be my best move. And I felt like this is the best place for me to be just being on the phone with Coach Held when I was in the transfer portal. I just felt like this was a great opportunity to come in and compete and just work my butt off and everything will take care of itself.”
 
On schools contacting him in the portal
“I heard from a lot. It was mainly Purdue Auburn Michigan State here and then I had Miami of Ohio a couple MAC schools as well so it was a lot of schools honestly.”
 
On playing as a transfer
“It feels good especially Samori was my roommate and so when we came in together it made the transition a lot easier because waking up on a day to day basis somebody is going through the same thing you are same with Chris we kind of from the jump when I first met Chris we were trying to come out here and just earn the respect of our teammates the coaches and just continue to put our best foot forward day in and day out. The transition it made the team our teammates their arms were open when we came in they accepted us like family from day one.”
 
On physical health
“Definitely especially losing weight during camp obviously helps take pressure off that foot so it definitely helped I feel better. I feel like I am still not where I want to be health wise but I think everyday I am working to get there just to get stronger and stuff so I feel better than where I was.”
 
On his 18 carries
“I am willing to take as many carries as they give me. I embrace it. Like I said earlier it was the first time I had gotten those carries in awhile so being able to fill that load was good. Just kind of like getting my feet wet again in a sense just be able to them trusting me with the ball.”
NU Athletic Communications