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Tight End Austin Allen
On the attitude of the sideline after the blocked punt
“Football is a game of adversity and how you respond to that adversity is going to dictate a lot of things. I did not think it was too bad in my opinion. We faced a lot of adversity this year. That was just another punch in the face but we have taken punches in the face and we have responded. To answer that question I did not see a letdown by any means.”
On not being able to engineer touchdown drives in the second half
“We played a pretty clean half of football in the first half and the second half seemed like it was death by paper cuts. There was a little thing here a little thing there. There was a fumble. We put the ball on the ground starting second and 12 instead of getting a six-yard gain to get second and four. Things like that are frustrating. It has been that way all season. What we can do to change it is on the guys now.”
On the feeling of his last game at Memorial Stadium
“It did not really hit me until pre-game this week. Practicing was pretty normal. The last one in the stadium the fans showed up and they were loud and proud. Them showing up every weekend on a Black Friday game means a lot to me as a player and as a guy in the state. The support that they showed for a three and nine football team was tremendous. I can not thank the fans enough for that.”
On his emotion after the game
“It was a frustrating season. In my case there is a smile on my face because it happened. I have my faith to lean back on. The game of football is just a small part of your life. One out of one of us is going to die where we are going to spend eternity is what is up for question. I hope to show people with the way I play football that I glorify God in the way I play sports. I hope people saw that but I am not sad. I do not smile because it is over I am happy because it happened.”
On his decision to try for the NFL
“This week was big for me to talk to family, friends, coaches and people who mean a lot to me. It was in my best interest. I think now is the time. I have to try and take my shot. Yes, there are benefits to staying and getting bigger, faster, stronger. I think with how the season played out for me personally it is time to train and time to take my shot. That was the thought process behind it.”
On Logan Smothers’ performance
“We have some ballers in the quarterback room. Logan is a heck of an athlete. I am glad he got a chance today. The situation with Adrian (Martinez) sucks but I am happy Logan got his chance. He does some good things for us and he is a good athlete. He is going to be a good athlete here. I have all the respect in the world for that quarterback room. Hopefully they can get things turned around next year.”
On this year’s seniors
“That is a group of guys who have seen a lot and been through a lot. They are taking punches left and right. It means a lot for me to stand next to them and to look back and look at all the adversity that we faced and know where this thing is going in the future. Coach Frost is a great guy and he has great people around him. He is going to get it turned around. You just look around and smile at the guys because of the memories you have had. It all culminated today and I will keep in touch with those guys. the rest of my life, with coaches and with everybody I've been involved with during my five years here.
Like I said I am not sad because it is over I am happy because it happened.”
NU Athletic Communications
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