Nebraska Football
vs. Fordham
Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021
Opening statement
“Obviously disappointing outcome. I thought we played great early on. The guys came out and they played their hearts out. Just didn’t finish a few drives. We got down near the redzone in the first half twice and just didn’t finish the drives. We kind of made some execution mistakes. Defensively I thought the effort the first half was great. Saw a lot of strip attempts. Things like that. I just didn’t think we were tight enough on our coverage. Obviously in the second half we came out and got the ball and tried to get things going a little bit and I think we stalled out. We didn’t generate first downs for probably about a quarter and a half. It was just too much for the defense to shoulder the load. They were able to get the better of us on the ground and kind of went from there.”
On changes in getting first downs from first half to second half
“It’s a good question. They kind of did what they were doing. A little bit of one high a little bit of over one and some cover four and I think there was some plays to be made and we didn’t make them. They maybe tighten their coverage a little bit but there wasn’t any schematic adjustment they made. They played a little bit better and we played a little bit worse.”
On linebacker Ryan Greenhagen’s 30-tackle game
“It’s an amazing game. Even I noticed it from the sidelines. He was all over the place. I would be more surprised if it was someone other than Ryan. That’s just the type of player he is. He’s the leader of our defense. Great kid and that’s how he prepares and that’s the effort that he has. He’s going to play like that every game not just this one.”
On Greenhagen having a nose for the ball
“He’s very smart. Understands the offensive scheme and knows where the ball is going to go. He watches a lot of film and prepares. He practices like he plays. Every day. It’s special to go to work and coach him every day.”
On anything to take away from this game
“I thought we ran the ball pretty effectively considering we were down our top two running backs. I thought Trey Wilson came in and did a great job. He was 13 for 78 with a 30 yard carry which I think was in the first half. That’s a heck of a day for that young man. I thought we protected pretty well. I think we got sacked once. We got forced out of there a couple times but for the most part I thought those guys held up pretty well. I was pretty happy with how we played up front on the offensive line. I think defensively they hung tough for a while. We didn’t have great depth but I think we have a better understanding of what we have and what we are capable of. Win or loss you better learn a lot from it otherwise you aren’t going to be a very good football team.”
On the atmosphere
“I thought the kids were fine. I think they enjoyed it. I think our kids did a great job. The atmosphere is great. Everyone was very nice. It’s a heck of a venue. The atmosphere I don’t think affected us in any shape or form.”
NU Athletic Communications