Adrian Martinez Quotes - 11-15-21

Adrian Martinez
Quarterback
On recent staff transition
“A bit of a tough transition for the team and for the offense. I think there’s no hiding that. Coaches that we’ve obviously developed strong relationships with. It’s tough but like you said as leaders on the team it's our responsibility to make sure that we keep pressing on, and we take these next two games and especially this next week against Wisconsin and give it everything that we have.”
 
On Coach Mario Verduzco 
“He’s meant everything to me. He’s a tremendous football coach and a tremendous person and he’s given a lot to me. I’ll be forever grateful to him. We’ll have a relationship with him for the rest of our lives.”
 
On bye week
“It has helped me get ready a tremendous amount physically. Obviously with the recent changes, its helped us sort of regroup as players and get ready to attack these next two games.”
 
On finishing the season strong despite staff changes
“It’s about pride for us as players and these games mean a whole lot to us, and I mean shoot, it’s Wisconsin. It's a rivalry game. The same goes for the next week against Iowa. Those are big games for us, regardless of where we’re at in the years those games will always mean something. We’re just as inspired and just as fired up to stick together to fight the odds and find a way to get some wins.”
 
On Wisconsin’s solid defense
“I’d say that they’re maybe the best Big Ten defense and really physical and solid all around which is no secret. But I believe that we have some pieces that they haven’t seen, like you said, a mobile quarterback to my ability. I feel good about being able to threaten them that way and some of the other things that make our offense dynamic. We’re going to have to hit on those things.”
 
On Offensive Quality Control Coach Steve Cooper
“He’s a guy who has the respect of the guys in the quarterback room but also on the offense. He’s been here and we know him, so we have a lot of faith in him and what he’s coaching us to do. He knows what he’s doing because he’s done it before and he’s attacking it and bringing energy to our room and what we need.”
 
On reactions after staff transitions
“Well guys obviously weren’t jumping up and down about it. Relationships were formed over the past four years and that’s tough on players and coaches and everyone. There’s an adjustment period. The same way that we’re going to respond and play against Wisconsin and Iowa is why we have so much pride and is what makes this group of players special. That’s why that Wednesday practice was good, and why I have confidence in us going into this week. We have faith in each other and we’re going to get it done.”
 
On Adrian’s upcoming decision after staffing changes
“Well it is just too early for me to really put that into perspective right now. I feel like Wisconsin has a handful enough for me to think about, so I’ll factor those things in after the year. There’s not much else I can really say about it now.”
 
On Wisconsin’s overall competition
“They truly embody Big Ten football in my mind. They’re a physical team and they make few mistakes and they find ways to win. They’re a gritty team and solid all around. They do some interesting things on defense that I think a lot of people try to mimic and they’re really good at doing what they do.”
 
On Wisconsin’s game strategies
“They match personnel really well. Whether that’s wearing 11 or 12, they bring some pressure so they’ll drop some guys who like they’re outside linebackers but they’re playing on the line of scrimmage. They’ll drop those guys and bring an inside linebacker, so they have unique ways of generating pressure and like I said they do it really well and don’t make many mistakes.”

NU Athletic Communications