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Nebraska Football
Pre-Oklahoma
Monday, Sept. 13, 2021
Press Conference Video
On if he plans on talking about the history of Nebraska rivalry to the players
"Around Nebraska you don’t have to tell people much because everyone hears a lot but I’m sure the players will hear about it. There is a special rivalry so we will probably talk about it a little bit but I’m sure that the players will be inundated with it this week."
On knowledge about Oklahoma rivalry as a kid
"I remember coming to a bunch of them and coming to Lincoln to see the games. Going to the games around Thanksgiving when I was a boy was always a special deal so I have seen and been a part of a lot of them."
On improving their particular plays and positions for the next game
"I think it’s a combination and that we have to be more consistent. On some plays it's one guy here or there or its missing a hole in another play. They had the box packed so that made it a little tough but we still need to be able to work on that. It has to be a collective effort with the tight ends and running backs and offensive line and the receivers."
On Gabe Ervin Jr.’s performance during the second half
"The thing I liked the best was that it looked like he was running with a little bit of attitude and like he was going to make the play happen and find a hole and get us yards. We need an aggressive attitude including with the running back group."
On the cohesivity of the offensive line and their ability to play together
"We have to grow as a unit no matter what are going to put the best guys out there. If we need to rotate then we will but more than anything I think that they need to stop thinking so much and move people. It wasn’t all the offensive line. We missed a few cuts and tight ends and receivers missed a couple times too. It was good enough to win on Saturday but we have to keep getting better."
On Teddy Prochazka
"He is in the conversation and improving every day and he has a big upside so we will see how quickly he is to go and contribute. I couldn’t believe how fast and big he got when he came to Nebraska. He is very athletic for his size and he is learning a lot. We’re hoping to see him come around a lot sooner than later. "
On play time for guys
"With some guys we hold them for four games and others we play them as we need them."
On intensity of receiver and tight end depth with players gone due to injury
"We were down since a lot of our best guys weren’t playing on Saturday. A lot of the consistent players weren’t playing (due to injuries) but the guys who came in did a good job and played hard but those guys are some of our most talented and skilled guys and we need them back. We know they’re working hard to get back on the field."
On Allen’s injury
"He hit his head hard on the turf and hopefully he recovers quickly."
On timeline of knowing who Adrian will be throwing to in game
“I mean you want to know on Monday but sometimes you do not have that luxury. We want guys to have practiced if we are going to play them. There is some unique circumstances where you have veterans that have been there done that and if you get them back at the end that is probably good enough but guys need to train in order to perform well and we want them back as soon as possible.”
On managing red-shirts
“If the decision is easy there is not much of a conversation if the decision is a little harder we involve the player and sometimes the player’s family too to decide what they want to do if we get to that point but most kids want to play and if they are going to get significant time they want to play if it is going to be a play here or there it is probably not smart to use up the year.”
On Travis Vokolek in run game
“We can split all those guys like Austin and Travis and I thought again that those guys that played battled Chris has been playing a little bit hurt too and then we are playing Boerkircher and Chancellor Brewington that just moved position so I can not say enough about the job that those guys did but we are looking forward to having our guys back too.”
On transition with younger guys adding depth
“Yeah experience helps so we have already been playing some young guys we will play more young guys some more guys without experience but if we get to that point we have to bring somebody up we will I think there are several guys that are ready and we will see how the health and depth work out this week.”
On putting the defense on field first
“I trust the defense. We talked about trying to score at the end of the first half and getting the ball back in the second half and I think if the wind was blowing we would kick it through the endzone and we want to put the defense out there and have the possession in the second half and that probably will not always be that way but that first couple weeks we felt like that was the right decision.”
On Oklahoma’s quarterback Spencer Rattler
“It is a talented team. Wow you turn it on and the speed just pops out right away. At every position the size and speed of the guys. So really encouraging our guys to execute the same way we have been and prove that but try to do it as absolute fast as possible because I know the speed of Oklahoma is going to be a little different than what we have seen the last couple weeks. He can make any throw really nifty they do a great job coaching their quarterbacks and they have some super talented ones and he is surrounded by really good O-line and a lot of weapons on the perimeter and the backfield so formidable opponent for sure.”
On Oklahoma’s defensive coordinator Alex Grinch
“They are tough to figure out he does a good job mixing things up disguising things you can not always tell what colors they are in when their line moves and stunts a lot it creates chaos on defense is the best way I can say it I have known Alex for quite a while good guy good coach.”
On OU similarities to Big Ten
“Yeah they have got about as good of players there is in the country at almost every position. But I do not want our guys to back down to that and I do not think they will our guys are really excited to play we know what kind of challenge there is in front of us we know what kind of team we are playing it is a great team our guys are excited about the opportunity.”
On walking the line between getting something done and pressing
“I haven’t seen him press really the last couple of weeks. In fact the more we can take off his plate the better. I think there’s a couple times where he probably could have chose to keep the ball but you know it’s tough to make that decision when you just ran for 76 yards. He’s made some unbelievable plays for us the last two weeks and really lifted the team. We need to keep playing well around him and expect the same play from him.”
On the growth of Martinez
“Absolutely. Improvement in the way he’s leading. Growth in the way he’s playing and decisions he’s making. He’s being really good with the ball right now and making sure he isn’t putting the ball in bad positions or risking turning it over. If he can create the types of plays he creates and not make those bad plays then we have a heck of a player on our hands.”
On growing up watching these games and now coaching on the sidelines
“This is my favorite day of the year growing up my entire life. Just like every Nebraska fan I think. I was lucky enough to play in two of them. One of them was Coach Osborne’s 250th victory. One of the best rivalries in sports. It’s kind of a shame it went away but it’s going to be special.”
On if this week feels different
“We are going to prepare like it’s any other week. That’s what we do but I think the emotion is going to take care of itself. I don’t think there is going to be a lot of motivational speaking that’s going to need to be done. These guys know how good of a team we are getting ready to play and they’re going to be in the spotlight nationally. I think the guys are excited and we’ve gotten a lot better over the last few weeks. We need to keep that going and keep improving on the things we haven’t done well on.”
On the significance of special teams in the upcoming game
“Absolutely. We had turnovers on special teams. If you’re going to beat a team that’s really talented you’ve got to probably win those. Make a big play on special teams. Get a turnover here and there. We will see if we’re up for the challenge.”
NU Athletic Communications
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