:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47281540/usa-today-8825090.0.jpg)
The Big Ten announced this morning that Nebraska's game against Wisconsin will kick off at 2:30 pm on Saturday, Oct. 10, and will be televised nationally by ABC, following the Oklahoma/Texas game from the Cotton Bowl.
Mike Riley opened his weekly news conference by illustrating that Nebraska scored on it's opening six possessions against Southern Miss.
Riley points out the game began with 6 scoring drives on offense and 6 stops on D. Problem: 5 field goals, then a turnover to give foe life.
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) September 28, 2015
Riley said Nebraska O produced a lot of yards but didn’t capitalize. Many fewer missed assignments on O.
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) September 28, 2015
Riley on Saturday: "It was one of those games where it all kind of played out as we didn't want it to." #Huskers
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) September 28, 2015
Riley said Nebraska D gave up too many yards on 1st and 2nd down.
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) September 28, 2015
Riley said coaches told players all week about onside kicks. Even took away USM’s favored side. USM still got it.
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) September 28, 2015
It doesn't appear that Nebraska was lined up properly to defend the onside kick, though, from my perspective.
Riley on penalties: "There's nothing we can do but correct it time and time again in practice." #Huskers
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) September 28, 2015
Looking at injuries, we get the official good news about De'Mornay Pierson-El returning to practice!
Riley says De'Mornay Pierson-El may not play -- he couldn't say for sure -- "but he'll slowly get into practice," the coach said. #Huskers
— Steven M. Sipple (@HuskerExtraSip) September 28, 2015
Coach Riley on De’Mornay - "One of the dangers is overuse." Says he may start working in to practice.
— Nebraska Huskers (@Huskers) September 28, 2015
I personally wouldn't play him against Illinois, especially in a road game with a tight travel roster. But next week against the Badgers? That would be a nice time to get him back on the field, even if limited.
Riley said DPE, Banderas and Valentine are all "possible" for Saturday. #Huskers
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) September 28, 2015
Jack Gangwish is 50-50 to play Saturday, Riley says, as is Marcus Newby. #Huskers
— Steven M. Sipple (@HuskerExtraSip) September 28, 2015
Gangwish still wearing a big elbow brace. Dislocated it in season's first game.
— Brian Rosenthal (@HuskerExtraBR) September 28, 2015
"I feel ready. I'm champing at the bit," Jack Gangwish said. #Huskers
— Brian Rosenthal (@HuskerExtraBR) September 28, 2015
Riley had a "big meeting" last week with training, operations, weight staff to ask questions about high number of injuries.
— Mitch Sherman (@mitchsherman) September 28, 2015
"We're trying to find something. That's why we had that meeting, and I asked all the questions." -- Riley on mounting injuries
— Mitch Sherman (@mitchsherman) September 28, 2015
It's hard to believe that all of these groin injuries are just a bad coincidence. The big question is what adjustments can be made, and what will the impact of those adjustments be? Here's one thing they are going to try:
Riley said Monday and Thursday practices will be lighter and resemble more of a walk-through.
— Brian Rosenthal (@HuskerExtraBR) September 28, 2015
Only two days of contact work each week? I'm curious how that works out.
So about that defense...
As for Huskers considering schematic changes on pass defense, Riley said, "Believe me, we are examining all different things schematically."
— Steven M. Sipple (@HuskerExtraSip) September 28, 2015
Riley says "Freedom is becoming a force as a pass rusher."
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) September 28, 2015
Freedom Akinmoladun has been one major bright spot on defense this year, and gives Nebraska extra depth once Gangwish is ready to play.
Riley said he's disappointed that some guys are losing their heads on base calls when things are starting to go south.
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) September 28, 2015
Riley said there have been a few "What are we doing?" moments in film watching when guys have gotten off track on base stuff.
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) September 28, 2015
Fans are saying the same things. Reportedly, the coaches have been using a bit stronger language outside the press conference, FWIW.
As for the I-back situation, you get the feeling that Terrell Newby is playing because he understands the playbook better than anybody else.
Riley said: "I think Terrell Newby is our most versatile back. He has made guys miss..."
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) September 28, 2015
Riley also mentions Imani Cross, says Wilbon needs to continue to grow in knowledge and "can be like Terrell Newby."
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) September 28, 2015
Well, OK. That Ford F-150 could be just like that Ford Mustang. Maybe what he means is that Cross needs to understand the playbook so that Cross can be used as much as Newby is used. Which brings us to the elephant in the room...
As he grows in knowledge and we keep working with him, he can be like Terrell Newby," Riley said of Wilbon. Still learning. Notes pass pro.
— Brian Rosenthal (@HuskerExtraBR) September 28, 2015
Riley used word "liability" in discussing pass protection in play action with Wilbon.
— Brian Rosenthal (@HuskerExtraBR) September 28, 2015
I'd argue that right now, the other I-backs are a bit of a liability running the ball. I don't know if Wilbon started to sulk a bit when the coaches decided to focus on Newby or what, because clearly, the coaches are trying to send a message.
He said coaches are trying to get Devine Ozigbo involved a little bit more, too.
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) September 28, 2015
Ozigbo said he didn't have option to run ball on direct snap he gave to Turner. Said it was Turner's read. #Huskers.
— Brian Rosenthal (@HuskerExtraBR) September 28, 2015
That leads to another issue that's bitten Nebraska this year...
Riley: "We have been better on third and long than we have been on third and short and that doesn't make any sense."
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) September 28, 2015
Actually it does. Playcalling on short yardage downs has been curious all season: passes, reverses, sweeps, gimmicks. Relatively little physical football. Does that go onto the coaches, or the players, who the coaches don't have confidence in to get that yard or two?
Riley said his teams have been better on third and long than third and short for three years. "We’ve got to fix that." #huskers
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) September 28, 2015
I think he just answered my question.
Riley joked that he sometimes thinks, "Oh, no, it's third and 1."
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) September 28, 2015
Jordan Westerkamp also spoke...he's VERY familiar with the stadium at Illinois.
Homecoming game for Jordan Westerkamp. He played three games inside Illinois' Memorial Stadium in high school. Won them all. #Huskers
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) September 28, 2015
Illinois was one of first schools to offer Westerkamp when he was a sophomore at Montini Catholic at Lombard, Illinois #Huskers
— Rich Kaipust (@RKaipustOWH) September 28, 2015
Westerkamp on his final game at that stadium as a senior in HS: "It was a crazy game. I had some video game numbers that day." #Huskers
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) September 28, 2015
I'd like that...