Round two?
"Here we go. Round 2." @Coach_Riley pic.twitter.com/QVnVId89gb
— John Bishop (@JohnBishop71) August 29, 2016
Ready or not, here we come. Mike Riley met with the assembled press corps as game week begins for the first time in 2016.
One change this season is that offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf and offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh will move up to the booth. Last year, Riley wanted Langsdorf on the sidelines to be able to interact directly with players, but that comes with a disadvantage in terms of playcalling. From the press box, Langsdorf can see the field and have a better perspective of what's happening. Cavanaugh is also returning to the booth; at Oregon State, he also was upstairs, primarily due to mobility concerns.
While Keith Williams is serving his four game suspension, running backs coach Reggie Davis will assume command of the huddle. Williams won't be inside the stadium during those games, but Riley believes he'll be available to meet with recruits on visits at other times during the weekend.
Riley said getting back on the field after tough circumstances this past month "was almost therapy" for this team.
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) August 29, 2016
After the tragic death of punter Sam Foltz and Williams' arrest, it's been a really tough end of the summer.
Riley talked about some of the freshmen who the coaches are planning to play this weekend. I-back Tre Bryant leaped to third on the depth chart because of what he did on the field when he wasn't carrying the ball. If you recall his highlights when he committed, his Hudl video started not with a nice running play, but Bryant in pass protection. True freshman Lamar Jackson also made a strong case to play right away in preseason practice.
Riley on Lamar Jackson: "We've got to get him in the game and play him." Praises his instincts. A guy figuring it out who still makes plays.
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) August 29, 2016
Mike Riley on Lamar Jackson: "Lamar has gotten to the point where we have to get him on the field. He can make plays"
— HuskerOnline.com (@HuskerOnline) August 29, 2016
A couple of weeks ago, the coaches were discussing the possibility of De'Mornay Pierson-El redshirting this season, if he wasn't truly comfortable with his return.
Mike Riley says he saw WR De'Mornay Pierson-El turn corner during Aug. 20 scrimmage. Redshirting was still a possibility before. #Huskers
— Rich Kaipust (@RKaipustOWH) August 29, 2016
It also impacted what to do with JD Spielman. He's still on alert. But Riley didn't know how many snaps they could give him with healthy DPE
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) August 29, 2016
Tommy Armstrong talked about the captain situation.
Armstrong wasn’t too bothered by not being a captain: "that title doesn’t mean much to me." He voted for westerkamp.
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) August 29, 2016
Armstrong: "Captains are chosen, leaders are born. From Day 1, I've known I've always been a leader here."
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) August 29, 2016
Armstrong said riley told him the coach feared, going from 6 to 4 captains, either he or Westerkamp wouldnt be reelected captain
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) August 29, 2016
Jordan Westerkamp can't wait for Keith Williams to return on Thursday.
Westy on Keith Williams returning Thursday: "I'm sure that's going to jolt our room and probably the whole team as well."
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) August 29, 2016
Senior Sam Hahn, who walked on at Nebraska after earning championship rings at North Dakota State, talked about why he came back to his home state.
Sam Hahn says he constantly told Cavanaugh he would do whatever the team needs. "It's not about me, it's about the team." #Huskers
— Steven M. Sipple (@HuskerExtraSip) August 29, 2016
"I'm a pretty home-based, family-based guy," Hahn, of DeWitt, Neb., says in explaining why he left North Dakota State for Nebraska.
— Steven M. Sipple (@HuskerExtraSip) August 29, 2016
Sam Hahn addressing media wearing white T-shirt that reads SF27. #Huskers
— Steven M. Sipple (@HuskerExtraSip) August 29, 2016
Sam Hahn rocking the boots at the Monday presser. Also gave an update on corn prices. #farmer pic.twitter.com/eGzYhfinhy
— Sean Callahan (@Sean_Callahan) August 29, 2016
Sam Hahn said the price of corn is terrible. #Huskers
— Josh Planos (@JPlanos) August 29, 2016