%20--%3e%3csvg%20version='1.1'%20id='Nebraska_N'%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns:xlink='http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20x='0px'%20y='0px'%20viewBox='0%200%20163%20152'%20style='enable-background:new%200%200%20163%20152;'%20xml:space='preserve'%3e%3cstyle%20type='text/css'%3e%20.st0{fill:%23FFFFFF;}%20%3c/style%3e%3cg%3e%3cpath%20class='st0'%20d='M159.1,144c-2.3,0-4.1,1.8-4.1,4s1.8,4,4,4s4-1.8,4-4S161.2,144,159.1,144z%20M159,151.2c-1.8,0-3.2-1.4-3.2-3.2%20s1.4-3.2,3.2-3.2c1.7,0,3.2,1.5,3.2,3.2C162.2,149.8,160.8,151.2,159,151.2z'/%3e%3cg%3e%3cpath%20class='st0'%20d='M157.4,145.6h1.4c0.6,0,0.8,0,1.1,0.2c0.4,0.2,0.6,0.6,0.6,1.1c0,0.4-0.1,0.7-0.3,1c-0.1,0.2-0.3,0.2-0.6,0.4%20h-0.1l1.1,2.1h-0.8l-1-2h-0.6v2h-0.8L157.4,145.6L157.4,145.6z%20M158.6,147.7c0,0,0.3,0,0.4,0c0.4-0.1,0.6-0.3,0.6-0.8%20c0-0.3-0.1-0.5-0.4-0.6c-0.1,0-0.1,0-0.6,0h-0.4v1.4L158.6,147.7L158.6,147.7z'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3cpath%20class='st0'%20d='M147,0H93h-5v5v35v5h5h5v24.8L55.2,2.3L53.7,0H51H5H0v5v35v5h5h5v62H5H0v5v35v5h5h54h5v-5v-35v-5h-5h-5V82.2%20l42.8,67.5l1.5,2.3h2.7h46h5v-5v-35v-5h-5h-5V45h5h5v-5V5V0H147z%20M150,5v35v3h-3h-7v66h7h3v3v35v3h-3h-46h-1.6l-0.9-1.4L52,75.3%20V109h7h3v3v35v3h-3H5H2v-3v-35v-3h3h7V43H5H2v-3V5V2h3h46h1.7l0.9,1.4L100,76.7V43h-7h-3v-3V5V2h3h54h3V5z'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cpath%20class='st0'%20d='M103,87L103,87L51,5H5v35c0,0,7.8,0,10,0c0,3.3,0,68.7,0,72l0,0c-2.2,0-10,0-10,0v35h54v-35c0,0-7.8,0-10,0l0,0%20c0-2.6,0-47,0-47l52,82h46v-35c0,0-7.8,0-10,0l0,0c0-3.3,0-68.7,0-72c2.2,0,10,0,10,0V5H93v35c0,0,7.8,0,10,0%20C103,42.6,103,87,103,87z'/%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Luke Reimer
Linebacker
On analyzing Wisconsin
“We are. We just watched a little bit of their game so we didn’t have the game plan in yet obviously, but from watching them they are a big physical team. They’re really good up front, so we’re excited for the challenge.”
On upcoming challenges Wisconsin brings
“I mean Allen’s a really good back. I mean there’s not many bad backs in the Big Ten. It’s every week it seems like we’re going up against teams like fifth in the nation in rushing, whatever the deal is. We’ve gone up against really good backs this year and we’re just ready for another one. He's a good back, too.”
On overall improvement over the past years
“I think that we know the system as a whole collective group a lot better than what we did in 2019. That just allows us to play faster. When you’re not slow processing things then you can play football, and you can really get loose. I think that's what our defense has done a really good job this year on all levels. We know the defense pretty well, and so we’re just running around fast and getting to our spots.”
On executing on defense
“You have to be extremely violent in the Big Ten and it starts with the defensive line and linebackers. You just have to be extremely violent upfront, and even if you’re wrong in your call and you’re violent you’re not going to be wrong. I think that’s the biggest non-mental side that you have to do to be a good rush defense.”
On definition of violence
“There’s always violence. You just have to strike, block, tackle, and be aggressive, is what it all comes down to. You just have to win your one on ones and then just let the play go where it goes.”
On the upcoming game with staff changes
“We talked about it as a position group. You just have to bring those guys up that lost their position coaches because everyone likes their coaches and it's tough for everyone. Especially guys that lost their position coach and they have their GA’s or other coaches that are helpful that are filling that void right now. You just have to pick up your teammates that are struggling with that loss. I think we’ve done a pretty good job of that so far and going forward.”
On coaches’ change in attitudes after staff changes
“Not really. It’s always in the back of our minds about what happened, but you still have to do that job and there’s not much change on the defensive side of the ball in that aspect.”
On finishing strong in the next two games
“To finish out on a high note and pride. We’ve been in so many close games this year and we’re just so tired of losing these close games that we just want to win one. These next two games are going to be close. It’s Big Ten football and its going to be a great opportunity for us to finish off the season on a high note to have the chance to beat two really good teams.”
On preparation for defense despite changes
“It doesn’t change much because they have the next guy up mentality just like us. We have to play through injuries like JoJo Domann. You just have to keep going and prepare like you would if he was there.”
On Isaac Gifford filling a role
“No different. I think he’s in the number one nickel spot. I think he’ll do a good job. He works extremely hard and knows his stuff. He’ll do really good and whoever they bring in. They rotate guys so it will be good and he will do a really good job.”
On playing against Gifford in high school
“I did not. I trained with him a little bit but I never played him in high school.”
On appreciation for JoJo Domann
“Extremely big. JoJo was kind of the heart of that defense a little bit and definitely brought a big play ability to the defense. Those are pretty big shoes to fill for whoever plays that nickel spot. JoJo is awesome. I love him. Pretty bummed out that he couldn’t finish out the season, but it is what it is and injuries happen so next man up mentality.”
On JoJo Domann’s coaching role
“He’s always with us at practice and always gives us good advice. It’s always good to have him around these last two weeks before he goes on to the next step.”
On Wisconsin’s stadium environment
“I’ve never been there so I’m excited to go play in a fun atmosphere. I’m looking forward to it.”
On the difference between tackling a small versus large back
“You definitely have to tackle a little bit lower on those bigger guys because if you’re standing straight up he’s just going to lower his head and knock you over. You have to bring your feet on the bigger guys and just make sure that your pad is lower than his or else you’re going to lose the one-on-one tackle.”
NU Athletic Communications
share this story