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While ESPN and the organizers of the Foster Farms Bowl are pleased with the matchup...
Gary Cavalli, Executive Director of the #FosterFarmsBowl: "This is the kind of matchup we hoped for... Two iconic brands."
— Foster Farms Bowl (@FosterFarmsBowl) December 22, 2015
...they can't be pleased with ticket sales.
Foster Farms Bowl officials expecting around 30,000-35,000 fans in the stands for Saturday's #Huskers-UCLA game
— Jon Nyatawa (@JonNyatawa) December 22, 2015
It's going to look like a Purdue game, I'm afraid...
The charitable aspects of the former "Fight Hunger Bowl" still remain, even with the new title sponsor:
It is cool that for every Foster Farms Bowl ticket sold, a needy family in San Francisco area is fed a free meal.
— Steven M. Sipple (@HuskerExtraSip) December 22, 2015
The news conference began with the usual platitudes:
.@UCLAFootball's Jim Mora: playing @HuskerFBNation Saturday is "another opportunity to test ourselves."
— Foster Farms Bowl (@FosterFarmsBowl) December 22, 2015
.@UCLAFootball's Jim Mora: "We're a competitive group... We love to win." Says the team is "internally motivated." pic.twitter.com/u34lBj6VVL
— Foster Farms Bowl (@FosterFarmsBowl) December 22, 2015
.@UCLAFootball's Jim Mora: #UCLA "headed in the right direction" and "construction is never finished."
— Foster Farms Bowl (@FosterFarmsBowl) December 22, 2015
Jim Mora felt Maliek Collins looked like an NFL player on film but wanted to see him in person. Yep. Mora said Collins passes that test too.
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) December 22, 2015
.@HuskerFBNation's Mike Riley: "I've admired Jim's (Mora) work at UCLA."
— Foster Farms Bowl (@FosterFarmsBowl) December 22, 2015
UCLA RB Paul Perkins reminds Riley of Jacquizz Rodgers. Perkins is bigger but they have similar "versatility, breakaway ability & toughness"
— Jon Nyatawa (@JonNyatawa) December 23, 2015
Riley said the #Huskers played their best football in November. He credited the team leaders for keeping it together after the 3-6 start
— Jon Nyatawa (@JonNyatawa) December 22, 2015
It took a while to get to some meat and potatoes, but then Mike Riley dropped a few items of interest.
Riley said "I would never say no right off the top" to taking in transfer QB, but it would have to be the right fit "in a number of ways."
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) December 22, 2015
Unless it's a graduate transfer, any incoming player would not be able to play in 2016.
Mike Riley said he "would never say no" to adding a transfer QB. Also said there would be current NU players who will transfer, but no QBs.
— Robin Washut (@RobinWashut) December 22, 2015
It's a little early to say who Nebraska might be interested in, but I'm not surprised that there are players that will be leaving after the holidays. Personally, I suspect there will be quite a few. Players gave Riley a chance for a season; we didn't see the typical exodus last year after the coaching change.
"People can, if they want to, attribute it to a string of bad luck. But that's really a trap." -- Mike Riley on the #Huskers' close losses
— Jon Nyatawa (@JonNyatawa) December 23, 2015
You create your own luck sometimes, and sometimes you put yourself in positions to have bad things happen.
Riley's point? There were legit reasons why NU lost those close games. It's up the coaches to examine them & correct them going into 2016
— Jon Nyatawa (@JonNyatawa) December 23, 2015
They did pull off an upset win, but more often than not, Nebraska found ways to lose games in 2015. That can't happen next season.
.@HuskerFBNation's Westerkamp on UCLA: "Familiar opponent... Great program." Added he's staying late and watching extra film to prepare.
— Foster Farms Bowl (@FosterFarmsBowl) December 22, 2015
Westerkamp wore a new 8-bit Christmas sweater-themed hat to the news conference.
Yes. That's an "ugly winter sweater" Nebraska hat. @JordanWesty1 cap selection is . ⚪️ #GBR #Huskers pic.twitter.com/v1UxpjfYxV
— Nebraska Huskers (@Huskers) December 22, 2015
.@HuskerFBNation's Armstrong, Jr. says his past bowl performances is because of his mother: "she comes to one game a year," a bowl game.
— Foster Farms Bowl (@FosterFarmsBowl) December 22, 2015
Wrapping up @FosterFarmsBowl press conf with @Coach_Riley, @JordanWesty1, @Tommy_Gun4 & @SavageSevv #Huskers pic.twitter.com/vTZ3BUWmqC
— Keith Mann (@KMann_Nebraska) December 22, 2015