Head Coach Scott Frost
On what the team got out of the Spring Game
“Today I have said it and it sounds cliche but it is just kind of the culmination of spring for us. I just wanted to see some guys have a chance to play in front of the fans and what an awesome fan base we have for them. We have people show up early in the spring like this and watch and the environment it is great being back around them and I just want to get off the field healthy. I think we did that too. We have seen 14 practices of guys doing what they need to do and the schemes that we are running today was just about showcasing some of that to the fans and finishing spring ball the right way.”
On the offense in the first half
“It was both. It is probably three things. I thought it was a little ugly offensively in the first half. That being said it is hard to tell whether some of those runs go when you are blowing it dead. We were being dreadfully simple and running inside zone and between the tackles and then you get tagged off and they would blow it down. I would not have wanted to be an official and decide where to spot a lot of those but it is hard to get a real read from that.”
On the pass rush and Garrett Nelson
“I think that has been a highlight for us today and through spring. We are really thin at that position right now. We do not have bodies. That being said I have seen improvement from Garrett (Nelson) and improvement from Caleb (Tannor) and Jimari (Butler) and Blaise (Gunnerson). Those guys have really taken a giant leap forward in my opinion. We had trouble blocking them today and hopefully that is a sign that they are playing good football as opposed to we did not protect well enough.”
On Casey Thompson
“There is a lot of learning for quarterbacks. They say when offensive is behind defense is usually when you are doing new things and quarterbacks take the worst of that. There are pieces of two different systems that those guys are all learning not just him. That is why I think at times we have looked like a million bucks and other times looked a little lost but I have seen good progress from that position from multiple guys and we have to make a lot more ground up this summer.”
On the decision making for the offensive staff
“This spring very little and part of that is because we had short winter conditioning. By the time we got all the coaches here and got done with recruiting spring ball was right around the corner. Despite meeting a lot situational stuff and exactly where this is going to land has not been settled yet. The good thing is we get more time in the summer now so situational stuff red zone stuff things like that we have not hit to the degree that we will by the time fall camp comes around.”
On Chubba Purdy
“You know me I am not going to crown anybody. Usually by all the reps we get it is pretty clear at the end of that. Chubba missed a lot of time. He has had some good practices late in spring ball and there will be a lot more reps for everybody to make a decision.”
On the tight ends
“AJ (Rollins) made a nice catch he has been coming along. James Carnie has been coming along. (Nate) Boerkircher has done some really good things. I do not want to leave anybody out but those guys have been pressed into duty with (Travis) Vokolek out for the spring with (Chris) Hickman out for the spring with Chancellor Brewington out for the spring and Thomas (Fidone) down right now. It is weird being a coach every year there is one position that seems like you get hit by the injury bug and that was kind of our position this spring. That is kind of one of the reasons we had to go offense versus defense and not just split up into two teams but it is good that those guys are getting reps because we are going to need to count on them sooner or later.”
On the depth of the defensive line
“We are going to look to add pieces if the right ones are available and whatever positions a good player there is certainly some that we think we could use another body and we will pay more attention to those positions.”
On Anthony Grant
“He has had a really good spring. I think Jaquez (Yant) has made a lot of progress. Rahmir (Johnson) has too. Obviously we are practicing without a lot of good players Gabe Ervin being one of them and we got a couple more guys coming in. The run game it was hard to tell in the first half it is just hard to tell. The second half that is as much push as I have seen and downhill running and that is what I have been seeing all spring. I think the way the offensive line is playing and the way the running backs are running are going to make us more efficient in the run game and hopefully when we start getting a little more creative that will pay even bigger dividends.”
On the energy around the Spring Game
“Any time we can be on the field in front of fans it is great. We miss it. There is just not a better environment. There is a lot going on right now like you said then just getting a chance to play football you know one thing that is really neat is that we have more kids that love football and want to be out there than we have had and that goes a long way. Kids that want to practice hard and be around it all the time and come in and get extra work. Be on the field for a scrimmage just way more kids that that is their passion and when you are passionate about something usually you are better at it.”
On the next month for the program
“We are going to give our kids a little time off right after this from workouts and make sure academics are in line. Most of the team is doing a really good job with that. Then we are going to get back to work we are going to push everything up a little bit. The season is pushed up. We are going to push up summer conditioning a little bit. We need more work on Xs and Os and stuff on the field particularly on offense where there is new stuff. We did not show any of it today but new stuff that we are doing that kids just need more reps and we need to be a little tighter with everything we are doing so it will be a good mix going forward of kind of sped up summer conditioning and a little more work with coaches when we are allowed to.”
On Brian Buschini
“Yeah the biggest applause all day I think was the bomb punt that Brian (Buschini) had and rightfully so. I would have been clapping too if that had not been inappropriate but kicking and punting certainly we hope are better this year and the guys we have and the new guys coming in need to figure it out and get that done.”
On Trent Hixson
“Trent has had a really good spring. (Ethan) Piper is behind him and had a good spring too. A lot of what those guys are doing up front has helped them. I think it is just kind of taking the handcuffs off them and letting them go. Trent is one of those guys I would highlight that has really taken a giant leap forward and I feel good about that position with those two guys.”
On Turner Corcoran and Teddy Prochazka’s progression from injury
“Those two kids are going to work their tails off. They are not that far away so they will be back in the mix real soon. It has been a little frustrating at times through the spring practicing without Gabe (Ervin) and (Travis) Vokalek and Thomas (Fidone) and (Turner) Corcoran and Teddy (Prochazka) and a receiver here and there and guys on defense (Luke) Reimer on defense. Casey Rogers on defense. Those are arguably seven or eight of our top 10 or 20 guys and certainly looking forward to getting those guys back and all of them should be ready to go pretty much full in summer conditioning.”
On the defensive back position
“I thought the defensive backs played well. I thought Quinton Newsome had a good day and he has had a really good spring and we are going to have to count on him. He has kind of been the number two guy for us for a couple years here and he needs to step up. Myles Farmer needs to step up in the back end and we got some new guys playing really well but those two have got to kind of transition from following to leading and I feel good about our talent in the back end we are a little inexperienced and they are going to need the leadership from those two guys.”
Quarterback Casey Thompson
On the goal of the Spring Game
"It was about going out running the offense and just getting out of the game healthy was the main thing we were trying to accomplish today. I wanted to complete every pass. I was close but that kind of was the goal today to run the offense and get out of the game healthy."
On leading the team out of the tunnel
"I mean it’s kind of something that I've always done during my whole time being a player. Even as a backup in Texas I tried to be in the front. As a quarterback I try to be a leader and try to lead the guys and instill some confidence in the rest of the team and let them know that I have their back no matter what."
On playing one series
"Two series was what I was told but after two series we did not score. I thought maybe go out there for a third series but it was out of my control. I just do what the coaches told me to do. I have gotten a lot of throws throughout spring ball. I have thrown 200 to 300 pass attempts during spring. I just try to get out there and throw a few passes with the first team offense and get out of the game healthy."
On progress made with the receivers
"I feel like we are in a good spot as a team and as an offense. Throughout spring with the ones that I know for sure. I cannot really speak on the other quarterbacks but I think we had 20 to 30 touchdowns. I had four or five interceptions throughout spring so I feel like I did a good job of taking care of the ball on the offense. As spring ball progressed, we have had some of our best practices the last few weeks. Routes have improved every day. We have done a really good job at one on ones at the wide receiver position. As you know we had a lot of young guys step up at tight end with some older guys being out. I think we have seen a lot of improvement across the board but I'm talking to Coach Whipple this week. He really wants me to be a leader of the offense but make sure I am focused on being a quarterback and not worrying about other guys' positions and how they are coached. I'm just trying to trust the coaches and do my job to the best of my ability."
On the offense
"First and foremost I wanted to beat the defense so as you can see I was engaged in the whole game so we can have bragging rights throughout the summer. I do not like giving anyone any bragging rights ahead of us but as an offense we want to go out and score every drive that we get. You have to be positive about it too and be and be realistic. If that has not happened in a game then you for sure want to move to change and you want to take care of the football. I know what the ones we took care of the football today and we were able to get some positive yards and get our run game going."
On perspective on this spring’s pass rush
"I have never gone against any pass rusher in the Big Ten and to go against Garrett Nelson and Caleb Tanner and some of those guys that we have cut off the edge. They are very good players so we have to give them the credit that they deserve. But today I felt their presence a little bit but if I can maneuver the pocket and move around a little bit I usually can find a completion and find a way to get the ball off. When I need to I will scramble but Garrett (Nelson) and the defensive line did a really good job today. Hopefully we will improve on blocking those guys but it is also a good sign for the rest of the team and for our defense that we are going to have good pass rushers."
On the offensive line
"When I got here in January I was out and I could not participate because I had not been cleared yet. But the first thing that I noticed was how athletic and strong the guys are overall on the team. On offense we have really athletic receivers and tight ends and running backs. I remember watching Thomas Fidone and Oliver Martin jump up and touch the top of that ceiling right there and seeing those guys explode and move well was exciting. As we got into spring ball and running routes I have been impressed with our ability to be humble and retain information and want to learn. We have a long way to go but I have seen improvement so far. Not only from the wide receiver core but from the tight end room and the running backs as well."
On running the ball
"Today we were honestly close to going live and we were going to split up the teams but we just did not have enough depth just a few positions so we thought it was best to do that. We met with Frost on the Leadership Council and of course he wanted to go live but I think it was a smart decision. But we have had plenty of practices and scrimmages against the defense where we have gone live and as a team with the coaches and I think that we have seen enough. I cannot really control whether we are live or not but I think that our run game is fine. I think that a wide receiver position in the passing game is fine. I just want us to be a little bit more consistent in continuing to move the chains."
On first impression of playing at Memorial Stadium
"Today was my first day ever going out on that field and doing anything. We had not practiced outside yet. We were indoors and supposed to have a couple of practices outside but the weather ruined that. Today was my first time throwing or being in the stadium at all. It was cool to see the stadium full of people and the turf underneath my feet and look around and feel like it was a real game. But it also was a good day for me and for all of us to get used to being able to walk in and have laser-focus. Honestly when you step out on the field and the game starts you kind of tune out the rest of the noise. It just felt like another practice to me and as you guys all know, I have played in big games before, and I came from a stadium that had 100,000 so I was pretty used to it."
Linebacker Garrett Nelson
On the weight he put on
“Yeah that was the biggest thing for me. Last year that last kind of peg in my game was pass rush and being faster and being quicker to get off and (quicker) off the ball. There was one big thing I focused on definitely emphasized by coaches – been working on that. I think statistically I gained 10 pounds of muscle and lost like four percent body fat just eating correctly taking it serious and emphasizing those points of my game trying to get better.”
On getting quicker off the ball
“The quickness is definitely there and it has been throughout the spring. I want it to keep getting better. As we start playing in the Big Ten with those first round tackles I want to be able to do that against them as well just to cement myself and cement the edge guys as a true threat in the Big Ten and nationally.”
On the progress of the defense
“There’s progress in positions back and figuring themselves out, interior defensive line guys figuring themselves out. The bulk of our experiences is in that linebacker group and having those positions figure themselves out was nice. This first couple of practices guys getting reps kind of figuring out where they go. The biggest thing I guess progress wise this spring along with the football piece was just good togetherness. This is kind of been the closest team that I have been on in college. The camaraderie – the guys you know, across units, across position groups truly loving each other and caring about each other. You know, check in ‘Hey man, you just got banged up, go get checked out. Make sure you eat and drink and do the right things.’ Guys are calling each other out, making true accountability just with the little things in the locker room and around the offices but also with football. We need that kind of last push or wave that pushes it over.”
On Jimari Butler
“He is really come a long way. He's matured a lot as a young guy as much as I wish I would have. He’s really powerful. He's gained a lot of weight. He's trimmed his body down, matured into his body. He’s very quick off the edge very powerful. He needs some game reps this fall and he is got a lot of reps this spring under his belt which is good but getting those reps this fall with how he is progressing he's going to go off the charts. He's a really good player.”
On defensive line leadership
“Everybody knows that we lost a lot of our defensive line just by graduation or by draft. Those guys have made my job as a leader a lot easier and being president taking it seriously stepping up into the position as true young guys. They've done a great job. They knew there was a lot of progress to be made. They continue to make that progress. They're doing a great job. But filling those big shoes as a young guy could be intimidating but they've handled it really well for taking a lot of reps. They need a lot of reps – just being as prepared as they can. When Casey (Rogers) comes back, they have those reps stacked. They're confident in themselves and their ability to go out there.”
On the offense’s nine first downs on 12 drives
“It's pretty good. The standard has been set and it has been set from last year, of what defense we want to be – putting a lot of the weight on my shoulders, putting a lot of weight on the other guy's shoulders, defensive leaders wise, to uphold that standard or even progress into the elite category where we wanted to be. We played a lot of great defense last year. There's some things that we could have got better at 100%. We want to get better in those areas, but keeping that standard, keeping that progression and upward trend as leaders. I've thought about it all the time. I don't want there to be a fall off. I don't want there to be a drop off. I don’t want to have a worse defense. Being a better defense and having those guys fill those positions has been huge. That statistic feels pretty good.”
On specific things the defense wants to get better at
“Wanting one more sack per game. We were okay in that area but you can't be okay. We got to be great. We want those brushes off the edge. We want those interior sacks. We need one more sack a game, and that is on me as a leader, it’s on me as a position group: defensive line and edge guys together, getting the balls out. We need more turnovers. We don't want to lose by one possession or one point anymore. So if we have the ball in our hand while we're ahead and we can lead the clock or score again, that's on the defense to get that back to our guys and let them go to work.”
On the defensive development needed
“I talk about it all the time and I emphasize it in practice and in our position groups. We are not going to start down seven in the game ever. We do not want to do that. That is our mentality. We will put it to them every play, no matter who's in there. We cannot have that step down. Just the mentality of every practice. Practice like you're an old guy, practice like you have experience. Take it seriously and practice like you're an All-Big Ten defensive line.”
On the importance of the Spring Game
“Especially with what's been going on in the world in past years and what is going on right now, having college kids that are new or just families, recruits, everybody that cares about Nebraska football, having a normal spring game and having a normal season, having that football game, draw away focus from bad things, and having that exposure to the world of what we are – how loving and great this place is, for people to see with their own eyes and feel is huge. That's one of the most powerful things about this place is that they end up right in it. For me, personally, it makes me feel some things inside and I know it does for other people too. So having that exposure to the world and then hopefully them getting exposed to that feeling is huge.”
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