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Mike Riley opened his weekly news conference by announcing that the groin injury kept linebacker Michael Rose-Ivey sidelined late in the Miami game will keep him out another four weeks. Defensive tackle Vincent Valentine's high ankle sprain is "week-to-week", which would indicate that there is a possibility we might not see him until the Wisconsin game.
Riley also said that Nebraska did not start the Miami game "in attack mode"; that, and penalties, were key issues on Saturday.
Mike Riley said there were "no excuses" for Huskers' slow start against Miami. "We were not in attack mode on either side of the ball."
— Brian Rosenthal (@HuskerExtraBR) September 21, 2015
Nebraska coach Mike Riley, reviewing the first quarter of 36-33 OT loss to Miami: "We had no rhythm whatsoever."
— Mitch Sherman (@mitchsherman) September 21, 2015
On the other hand, "We became the attacking team as the game went on," Riley said. Very true. #Huskers
— Steven M. Sipple (@HuskerExtraSip) September 21, 2015
Riley: "This is an unforgiving game.It's about finishing and winning.Couple plays different,couple seconds different...we'd be undefeated."
— Eric Olson (@ericolson64) September 21, 2015
"We still got those same issues," Riley said, even if team was 3-0 or 1-2. Mentioned penalties.
— Brian Rosenthal (@HuskerExtraBR) September 21, 2015
One could argue that Miami let up on the gas late in the game; the Hurricanes got awfully sloppy and undisciplined in the fourth quarter, and that might have as much - if not more - of an impact than Nebraska's play did at the end of the game.
While acknowledging Nebraska might be few seconds/plays from being unbeaten, Mike Riley says issues remain whether #Huskers 1-2, 2-1 or 3-0
— Rich Kaipust (@RKaipustOWH) September 21, 2015
Riley went on to praise fullback Andy Janovich for his special teams play.
Mike Riley said Andy Janovich "is one of the best special teams players I've ever been around." Noted his four tackles.
— Brian Rosenthal (@HuskerExtraBR) September 21, 2015
Secondary play is obviously going to be a key area of focus this week.
Going to sort secondary out through the week, Riley said, mentioning cornerbacks. "We're going to figure out the best thing to do," he said.
— Brian Rosenthal (@HuskerExtraBR) September 21, 2015
No definitive answers on starting cornerbacks at Nebraska from RIley. Huskers will "sort this thing out" before hosting Southern Miss.
— Mitch Sherman (@mitchsherman) September 21, 2015
Riley on Daniel Davie: "He's got to fight this thing mentally. ... We've got to get him back on a good footing and help him." #Huskers
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) September 21, 2015
I suspect that Daniel Davie won't have a Blackshirt this week at practice, though I wouldn't expect it to be awarded to anybody else, such as Chris Jones, either at this point.
Speaking of penalties on the offensive line...
Riley again said he was "surprised" refs didn't give warning about tackle slightly in backfield before penalizing.
— Brian Rosenthal (@HuskerExtraBR) September 21, 2015
Mike Riley said Alex Lewis feels bad about his OT penalty. "Then his response (on social media) was bad," the coach said.
— Steven M. Sipple (@HuskerExtraSip) September 21, 2015
Mike Riley on Alex Lewis: "I know he feels bad and sorry about his response. His response was bad and no need for that."
— Gary Sharp (@GarySharp1620) September 21, 2015
And no, think again if you thought Lewis should no longer be a captain on the team.
Alex Lewis maintains his status as captain, Riley said.
— Steven M. Sipple (@HuskerExtraSip) September 21, 2015
Riley made a great point regarding Alex Lewis: Don't generalize about a group of people. A lot of us are guilty of that at times, IMO.
— Steven M. Sipple (@HuskerExtraSip) September 21, 2015
But a little warning...
Riley says he has no rules but advice on handling social media. Adds: "There are consequences to portraying our team in wrong way" #Huskers
— Rich Kaipust (@RKaipustOWH) September 21, 2015
Would you like some good news? Here's something that should make EVERY Husker fan smile:
Regarding De'Mornay Pierson-El's injury... He's "getting close" to coming back, Riley said. "Everything is progressing without a hitch."
— Steven M. Sipple (@HuskerExtraSip) September 21, 2015
How close?
#Huskers Mike Riley on Pierson-El's recovery: "It's getting close... in the next week or two after this." WATCH: http://t.co/nx7YhgsJDY
— World-Herald Big Red (@OWHbigred) September 21, 2015
Get ready, Bucky. Get ready.
If you feel that Nebraska is throwing the ball more than they should be, that appears to be by design - and Mike Riley is all in favor of it.
Riley, on Langsdorf play-calling: "I feel really good about how he's doing." #Huskers
— Eric Olson (@ericolson64) September 21, 2015
Players also talked before and after Riley spoke.
Jordan Westerkamp was not on the field for the first play of OT. Did that surprise him? "A little bit." #huskers
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) September 21, 2015
Westerkamp, on Stanley Morgan: "He plays at such a high level of confidence. Every ball in the air is his." #Huskers
— Eric Olson (@ericolson64) September 21, 2015
I think Stanley Morgan is our next Kenny Bell. Their games are different, but I see him having that kind of impact.
Alonzo Moore said Armstrong was telling him even when it was 33-10: "Zo, we're going to come back and win the game." #Huskers
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) September 21, 2015
Tommy Armstrong on social media after a loss: "I say just stay away from it. Avoid it." #Huskers
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) September 21, 2015
Smart advice. Just from my personal experience, somebody is eventually going to take issue with something you say... or from something that they think you said, and respond with something inflammatory or even threatening. Let me tell you from experience, that's a rabbit hole you don't want to go down.
Jack Gangwish isn’t sure when he’ll return from injury. He just knows it’s not this week.
— Dan Hoppen (@danhoppen) September 21, 2015