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Travis Vokolek
Nebraska Tight End
On being named a captain
“It means everything. Coming in last year, I will bring Austin (Allen). One of my best buddies. He was a captain last year. I talked to him last night. He really made sure to make it known how big it is to be a captain on the Nebraska football team. So, I have soaked it in. I think it is a great honor to be a captain, and I am really ready to attack it.”
On being the only offensive captain
“We talked about this before. We have had a lot of new offensive guys come in that have brought in a lot of confidence and energy on the offensive side. And being the only offensive guy to be elected a captain, we have had a lot of defensive guys that have been here longer. I think that is really the reason why there is three defensive captains and one offensive captain. We have had guys that have been here longer, and we have had a lot of new guys that have come in on offense and have brought in a lot of confidence and energy on that side of the football.”
On Austin Allen’s advice
“How big of a deal it is. Austin is doing great out in New York. I have looked up to him. One of my best buddies. He said be the best leader that you can be. Be vocal. Confront people. Just be the best leader that you can be.”
On last year’s Week Zero game
“Last year is last year. Guys know what we need to get done this year. Obviously, we have thought about it a little bit, but we know how important this first game is. We know how important it is to start on the right track. This first game is huge. We want to go 1-0 in this first week.”
On the role of the tight end in the new offense
“Coach Whipple has done a great job at giving our play-makers an opportunity to go out and make plays. I have said it over and over. We have receivers that are crazy athletic and can be put in spots to make plays. We have the running back room. Best running back room we have had in a while. We have the tight end room. We have a bunch of play-makers, and Casey (Thompson) is going to do a great job at throwing the ball up and letting our play-makers go make plays.”
On Casey Thompson
“Casey is a great dude. I am glad he is on our football team. He has grown a lot since when he first got here. He is a quarterback that is vocal, and he knows the offense in and out. If you have a question about it, you can ask him. He is always up here watching film. He is one of the hardest workers I know when it comes to watching film and taking care of his body. I am super happy that he is on our football team.”
On the focus for the first game
“This game is huge. It is different for us. We are going across the pond, which a lot of guys have never done before. I have never been overseas. Never been out of the country. It will be different, but we are going up there, we are a confident football team. We know what needs to be done. And we are going to have some fun over there, too. We are going to try and not be uptight the whole time but have some fun and stay relaxed. It’s football. We know how important this game is. We are ready to attack it.”
On the tight end position
“I love my position group. We are a close-bonded tight end group. All of those guys are so great. I have great relationships with all of those guys. I am super happy with the guys in our room.”
On Nate Boerkircher
“Nate’s a goofball. One of my best buddies. He has really grown up since when he first got here. He has gotten stronger. Football IQ is off the charts. He is a really good football player.”
NU Athletic Communications
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