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Nearly every Husker fan had the same thoughts Saturday afternoon: "Run. The. (explitive) Ball." At today's Monday news conference, Mike Riley acknowledged that.
"I think, as we examine it again, we should've run more," Riley said.
— Steven M. Sipple (@HuskerExtraSip) October 5, 2015
Let the church say AMEN!
Specifically on that awful third and seven play with under a minute to go...
Riley said his idea was to run QB on bootleg sweep to maybe gain yards but also eat clock. "That's my responsibility."
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) October 5, 2015
It's a play that's typically run as a pass play, but they wanted to use it as a run.
Riley said it was reiterated to players the third-down play was a run. But admittedly NU didn't get in the right formation. "It was a mess."
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) October 5, 2015
That's a correction from Saturday night, when Riley said there wasn't a pass option. Clearly, confusion reigned supreme on that play, because the "don't pass" message wasn't received by the players on the field.
On the third-and-7, "In retrospect, it would've been much better to hand the ball off," Riley said. #Huskers
— Steven M. Sipple (@HuskerExtraSip) October 5, 2015
Hindsight is always 20/20.
Said Armstrong "reacted like an athlete" when faced with pressure, shouldn't be blamed. Riley took fault. #Huskers
— Brian Rosenthal (@HuskerExtraBR) October 5, 2015
Would have been better to say that Saturday night, though.
Coach Riley announced that Kevin Maurice is out due to injury, will be in a boot for four weeks.
— Nebraska Huskers (@Huskers) October 5, 2015
Kevin Maurice, by the way, has a stress fracture. He apparently suffered it Saturday. #Huskers
— Steven M. Sipple (@HuskerExtraSip) October 5, 2015
Another injury on the defensive line is something Nebraska did NOT need, as that's three defensive tackles injured. Mick Stoltenberg is "next man up" - but don't be surprised if you don't see Greg McMullen playing inside, especially with the emergence of Freedom Akinmoladun.
Kevin Williams not yet ready to return, but Riley had an "optimistic" report on injured Vincent Valentine, he said.
— Brian Rosenthal (@HuskerExtraBR) October 5, 2015
If he can go, Big Vinny would really provide a big boost inside.
A lot of negativity followed the game, and Riley fully understands.
Riley said he understands fans being nervous and negative reactions. "We have to play better and win some games. That's the nature of this."
— Brian Rosenthal (@HuskerExtraBR) October 5, 2015
"We're really disappointed. Not a good reflection of what we want to be," Riley said of Alex Lewis situation.
— Brian Rosenthal (@HuskerExtraBR) October 5, 2015
"I'm going to talk to him today," Riley said of Lewis. "I don't have anything more to say about it until I talk to him."
— Brian Rosenthal (@HuskerExtraBR) October 5, 2015
Interesting: Riley talked fairly swiftly to Lewis about Facebook post (he addressed it at Monday conference) but is taking time on this one.
— Brian Rosenthal (@HuskerExtraBR) October 5, 2015
This bears watching, because there's probably a reason why.
Riley starts his presser by praising a bunch of players. Collins, Foltz, Maurice l, Brown, Jano, Reed, Lewis. #huskers
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) October 5, 2015
Interesting that Riley praised Lewis for his play on the field.
This team must overcome the mental part more than the physical, Riley said. Must get everybody going in a positive direction this week.
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) October 5, 2015
Riley told the story about how one year in Winnipeg he lost seven games in a row. His wife had to "talk him off the ledge."
— Erin Sorensen (@erinsorensen) October 5, 2015
Let's not even consider the possibility of losing seven games period. Just don't go there, Mike.
Tommy Armstrong also accepted responsibility at the news conference.
Tommy Armstrong "I was supposed to run the ball. I didn't run the ball. It's on me."
— Gary Sharp (@GarySharp1620) October 5, 2015
Armstrong, facing pressure, said he was trying to avoid sack and yardage loss that would've taken team out of field goal range.
— Brian Rosenthal (@HuskerExtraBR) October 5, 2015
The issue is that the coaches didn't make it clear the yardage wasn't an issue. Nebraska had enough points to win the game - just needed to keep that clock running. Arguably, a sack would have been better, because it would have given Sam Foltz more room to work with on a punt.
Tommy Armstrong "We don’t treat (Wisconsin) like a rivalry. It’s just another big game."
— Gary Sharp (@GarySharp1620) October 5, 2015
Somehow, I bet this somehow gets modified into bulletin board material.
Other Huskers spoke as well...
Sam Foltz just said he isn't 100% but he still averaged 46.9 yards per punt over nine attempts against Illinois. GOOD LORD.
— Erin Sorensen (@erinsorensen) October 5, 2015
Nebraska LB Chris Weber: "Wisconsin’s not going to feel sorry for us." One statement from this press conference w/ which no one will argue.
— Mitch Sherman (@mitchsherman) October 5, 2015
Chris Weber: "We put so much into this. We're not going to pack our bags and go into a corner." #Huskers
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) October 5, 2015
Please give Weber his Blackshirt, already.
Jack Gangwish message to players: Avoid the noise. "That stuff can be an unneeded stresser." #Huskers
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) October 5, 2015
Gangwish: "What I would like to see is guys that can handle social media and it not be an issue." #Huskers
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) October 5, 2015
The athletic department could really help with that. For these guys, the ignore and block button could be quite useful for guys who don't want to deal with the crap some people say to them online.
Of course, let this also be an opportunity to remind people:
STOP TWEETING AT PLAYERS AND RECRUITS!