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Garrett Nelson
Linebacker
On his strip-sack of Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud in the fourth quarter
“I took the guy’s towel and then I was like, ‘Well I probably need to get the ball then,’ so I knocked the strip-sack fumble and I did not know where the ball went. I thought it bounced backwards but it went like 20 yards the other way.”
On Nebraska's overall defensive performance
“We got caught in the act of being ourselves. That is what we do. That is what we practice every day. We rep that, we understand our jobs. We have some of the best players in the nation on our team. We have some of the best coaches in the nation on our team. Coaches up teaching us what we need to do. I love playing with those guys. They are bringing as much as I do, and we feed off of each other when we make plays. It is a phenomenal group of guys and coaches to be around every day, and to work with every day and to play defense with. Usually I am the pretty fired up one with those guys. When I am feeling down or I need a boost, those guys are there to give it. They are the best teammates in the world. We played really well today, and that is how we play, that is how we practice. We expect that every game, but I love those guys to death. We played really well today.”
On Nebraska's defensive identity
“We do not need to make games or situations. We do not need to change who we are as a defense, who we are as players in different situations and games. People saw what we did in the sense of being caught in the act of being ourselves. People saw who we are. People have been seeing that we are Blackshirt defense-wise in these games. Getting sacks, getting interceptions, shutting down really high-power offenses. That is who we are. That is who the Blackshirts are.”
On preference on playing against Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker or Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave
“Both really talented guys. Probably just say running back because I can hit him more.”
On Nebraska linebacker JoJo Domann
“Coming back for a sixth year, staying this long and giving what he gives to this program, speaks volumes to the person he is. He is one of the best guys I know personally. He is one of the best players I know in the nation. He has meant a lot to me as a leader and as a player. (He) taught me how to lead, taught me how to play hard, taught me a lot of things about football about life. He was one of my first really good friends here when I came to college, and he is a top-tier guy.”
On what the defense has poured into games
“Because I have 150 other dudes relying on me to show up every day, work the hardest I can. For me personally I know it is for pretty much everybody else on the team. These are not the type of guys to look each other in the eyes and say that we did not pour our heart out every day on practice, every day when we played games. Those are not the type of guys to wish or think they could have done more or anything. They leave it out there every day. They show up every day. We love each other too much to do that to each other, not to lay our heart on the line every time we do something. Whether that be practice or play or a drill or anything. Speaks volumes to the love and the camaraderie we have as a team. That we can have togetherness as a team. It was very much different when I first got here in a bad way. We have been coached and taught ways to be a collective unit and love each other that much, and play hard for each other that much, and practice that hard for each other that much no matter what circumstances. Coming back every day and showing up ready to work for those guys because I cannot be the one slowing down or anything like that because I have my brothers next to me relying on me to do my job and give them energy and make some plays. “
On Nebraska's final two games
“We have not had a trophy in here for a while, so to run across the field and go grab those trophies from those guys would be huge. Two of the biggest rivals right at the end of the season. Playing with pride, playing for the trophies, playing for each other.”
NU Athletic Communications
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