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Mike Riley opened his weekly news conference with a little joke about Saturday’s victory over Indiana.
Mike Riley opening comment: “it was good to win - and then we had to watch the film.”
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) October 17, 2016
Looking back on Indiana, Mike Riley says: "Overall, our defense had a nice day. This is a team and offense that we had a lot of respect for"
— Rich Kaipust (@RKaipustOWH) October 17, 2016
Riley singling guys out who played well. Lot of defensive guys of course. Says Carlos Davis probably had his best game.
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) October 17, 2016
The defensive line’s performance didn’t really show up in the game stats, but if you watched the game, you got a better idea of their impact.
Riley: "Aaron Williams is just a playmaker ... I really like how he's playing."
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) October 17, 2016
Riley says #Huskers I-back Terrell Newby was bright spot offensively on otherwise choppy day with two turnovers, lack of explosive plays
— Rich Kaipust (@RKaipustOWH) October 17, 2016
Mike Riley praises nearly every starter on D. Praises Newby, Gates, Cotton and Conrad on O. Conrad for “stepping in.”
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) October 17, 2016
Coach Riley says again that he wishes he didn't try the long FG. They should take that off and give it to bad coaching.
— Mike'l Severe (@MikelSevere) October 17, 2016
That wasn’t the worst special teams decision though.
Mike Riley said he left defense on field for three punts against Indiana for fear of fakes. Didn't give Pierson-El as much space. #Huskers
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) October 17, 2016
And that’s not what I’m referring to either. It’s clear that Nebraska was in punt-safe mode.
Riley: "Our punt team, it was a bad day. ... That team's job is to protect and cover and we didn't do either of them."
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) October 17, 2016
Special teams... isn't quite special yet. Ranked #55 in ST efficiency, 9th in the Big Ten, #Huskers
— Mike'l Severe (@MikelSevere) October 17, 2016
Talk then turned to Nebraska’s undefeated record.
Riley on 6-0: “it’s exactly the record we want - now we need to get better.”
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) October 17, 2016
"Whether you start off good or you start off bad in a season, the story is told by how you finish," Mike Riley said.
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) October 17, 2016
That’s the key, because Nebraska’s toughest games are still ahead.
Injuries, especially on the offensive line, could be an issue this week.
Riley said Sam Hahn could play tackle in event Nick Gates and David Knevel can't play vs. Purdue. #Huskers
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) October 17, 2016
Riley on O-line situation: "It's part of that season you have expectations of the next guy up."
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) October 17, 2016
Update on Gates/Knevel will come tomorrow at practice.
— John Bishop (@JohnBishop71) October 17, 2016
"We're rather not pull a redshirt at this point but we have to look at what's best for the team," Riley said of true frosh playing up front.
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) October 17, 2016
Riley said development of OLs takes longer than other positions; as a result, three RS frosh and four true frosh haven’t earned PT yet
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) October 17, 2016
Tommy Armstrong should be OK to go this week.
Riley on Tommy Armstrong: "He's like a lot of guys are after a game. He's sore, has ice on, but I expect him to be ready to go."
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) October 17, 2016
Riley said Ozigbo should be "good to go" against Purdue.
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) October 17, 2016
Eric Lee had a concussion last week. Should return if he comes through protocol.
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) October 17, 2016
Riley said Carter won't play vs. Purdue. Westerkamp is doubtful to questionable. "He felt a lot better yesterday."
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) October 17, 2016
You’d hope that Jordan Westerkamp wouldn’t be needed this week, but that’s when I remember what happened last year. (Shudders.)
Riley thoughts on Hazell firing at Purdue: "I did not get a chance to know Darrell very well. I had sense their team was improving."
— Eric Olson (@ericolson64) October 17, 2016
Getting outcoached by Hazell last year should sting. It definitely marks the low point of his tenure.
Nebraska is 9-1 since last year's debacle at Purdue minus Tommy Armstrong. #Huskers
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) October 17, 2016
Riley says both fly sweeps vs Indiana should have been much bigger plays than 5 yards. Said blocking, run pattern run patience were factors.
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) October 17, 2016
Execution of the fly and jet sweep has been an offensive issue ever since Mike Riley arrived.
Kieron Williams talked about the perception of undefeated Nebraska.
Kieron Williams, on winning vs style points: "What it looks like? I don't think it matters as long as you get the W." #Huskers
— Eric Olson (@ericolson64) October 17, 2016
Fly the W. (#goCubsGo !)
Kieron Williams: "I think when you play out of (wanting) revenge, you're not playing the right way."
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) October 17, 2016