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Mike Riley opened his weekly Monday news conference with more reflections on the Huskers big victory over Oregon.
Mike Riley credits specialists for doing "a really good job." Says Lightbourn hit ball better, more consistently. #Huskers
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) September 19, 2016
Brad Simpson is point leader on special teams, Riley said. Luke McNitt and Chris Weber next two. #Huskers
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) September 19, 2016
Guys that played well, Tommy of course, Westy, Ozigbo played well, Farmer and Gates best two OL guys on Sat. Reimers played well and blocked
— Mike'l Severe (@MikelSevere) September 19, 2016
Riley said #Huskers gave up three "big plays" on defense but happy with overall improvement in that area this season compared to last.
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) September 19, 2016
Why was that?
Tackling, riley said, is a mixed bag.
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) September 19, 2016
Riley said Ross Dzuris played best game on DL. Michael Rose Ivey standout at LB.
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) September 19, 2016
Riley says there are plenty of “teachable moments” from the Oregon game that the #Huskers can use going forward.
— Hail Varsity (@HailVarsity) September 19, 2016
Riley said he liked the "electricity and vibe" in practice last week, and said #Huskers need to duplicate that in Northwestern preparations.
— Rich Kaipust (@RKaipustOWH) September 19, 2016
Riley said #Huskers came out of the Oregon game "pretty good" injury wise.
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) September 19, 2016
Turning the page to this week’s game against Northwestern:
Riley on Northwestern: "We're looking for a team that is on the rise, I think, and coming back a little bit after a good win."
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) September 19, 2016
Reporter states obvious reminder #Huskers were 3-5 in Big Ten last year. Riley's response: "Thanks."
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) September 19, 2016
And 1-5 in the Big Ten West division.
Riley thinks it’s “probably appropriate” to play nine #B1G games per season. Thinks all leagues (ahem, SEC) should do the same.
— Hail Varsity (@HailVarsity) September 19, 2016
Riley really hammering the nail with offensive balance. "Can't be throwing it 50 times a game as the season progresses." #Huskers
— HuskerOnline.com (@HuskerOnline) September 19, 2016
Lesson learned from last season’s debacles against Illinois, Purdue and Iowa.
Cethan Carter just had wind knocked out of him on that big hit late in the game. He's fine. Riley said NU needs to keep getting him the ball
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) September 19, 2016
That goes on both ends; Carter needs to make the catch when it’s thrown his way.
Riley has heard the talk about Northwestern's grass field. What do people say about it? "Tallest grass you've ever seen."
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) September 19, 2016
Northwestern may be trying something different this season with turf care.
I thought my yard looked bad. First week of season and field looks like it's November. #Northwestern pic.twitter.com/0xLuLgYanl
— Maximiliano Bretos (@mbretosESPN) September 3, 2016
Nevertheless, Michael Bruntz of 247 is working undercover on the story:
Looking live at Northwestern’s Ryan Field: pic.twitter.com/kl8wByMjLd
— Michael Bruntz (@michaelbruntz) September 19, 2016
Personally, I think they should move the game to their practice facility on the shores of Lake Michigan.
Good lord. Northwestern's practice field is infinitely better than the cow pasture in their stadium. And that view! pic.twitter.com/wPgzCBsmaD
— Husker Mike (@Husker_Mike) September 18, 2016
If they did that, where would the Sea of Red sit?
How many Nebraska fans will be inside Ryan Field for Saturday night's game at Northwestern?
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) September 18, 2016
Several players spoke as well:
Westerkamp going home. Says he'll probably have more than 100 family and friends at the game Saturday.
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) September 19, 2016
Tommy Armstrong said he drinks pickle juice/eats pickles almost every day (to prevent cramping. Not a weird craving). #Huskers
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) September 19, 2016
In other news, apparently Tommy Armstrong is pregnant. (I kid, I kid...)
Armstrong, on 3-0 start: "Going into conference 0-0, and you start fresh. We won 3 games. Now the games that matter most are here." #Huskers
— Eric Olson (@ericolson64) September 19, 2016
Bryan Reimers has a lot of nicknames on the team. Armstrong says one is "Odell Reim.” #Huskers
— Hail Varsity (@HailVarsity) September 19, 2016
Kieron Williams put the focus on uniforms in perspective.
“If you wear those uniforms and you lose, what do those uniforms matter?” - @TheK_Williams
— Hail Varsity (@HailVarsity) September 19, 2016
Nebraska has lost quite a bit when wearing the all-white uniforms.
#Huskers S @TheK_Williams doesn’t really care about the new alternate uni’s. If you care about that, "That's not football, that's modeling."
— Robin Washut (@RobinWashut) September 19, 2016
Amen.