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Mike Riley began his weekly news conference with a few thoughts about the Northwestern game.
Doing better with Penalties, explosive plays (14 of them) gave up 2 on defense, Turnovers even. The big 3 stats from Riley.
— Mike'l Severe (@MikelSevere) September 26, 2016
Mike Riley notes impressive blocking of WRs on explosive plays. Brandon Reilly and Stanley Morgan immediately come to my mind. #Huskers
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) September 26, 2016
Had very good balance on offense and pretty good 3rd down conv and didn't give up any sacks. hit 4th down call!
— Mike'l Severe (@MikelSevere) September 26, 2016
But it wasn’t all good.
OL struggled with NW DL movement
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) September 26, 2016
Riley said D got cut too much by NW OL.
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) September 26, 2016
Riley also praised players who played well this week.
Riley said Dedrick Young had his best game of year and Chris Jones had an outstanding game. Said Kevin Maurice played his best game.
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) September 26, 2016
Nick Gates and Corey Whitaker graded the highest among the OL.
— Mike'l Severe (@MikelSevere) September 26, 2016
Interesting to note that Whitaker came into the game after Tanner Farmer left with an injury. With Farmer out this week, look for Whitaker to get another chance to play this week.
RG Tanner Farmer (ankle) is doubtful for Illinois. Also some thought to give WR Alonzo Moore (shoulder) a week to rest. #Huskers
— Rich Kaipust (@RKaipustOWH) September 26, 2016
"It was good to get Mikale going. He's a talented guy," Mike Riley said of RB Wilbon. #Huskers
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) September 26, 2016
Yes he is. Hopefully he’ll get more opportunities this week against Illinois. Speaking of which...
Illinois has the best DL Nebraska has faced, Riley said.
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) September 26, 2016
Next, talk turned to the topic of Michael Rose-Ivey, Dai’shon Neal and Mohammed Barry kneeling during the National Anthem before Saturday’s game.
Players kneeling for the Anthem? Pretty much what Riley said after the game. Rose Ivey asked to talk to the team. He did so real eloquently
— Mike'l Severe (@MikelSevere) September 26, 2016
140 guys, all grew up differently. Riley says he always talks about respect when he addresses the team. They're in college and form opinion
— Mike'l Severe (@MikelSevere) September 26, 2016
Riley talks for 7 mins about rose-Ivey/kneeling at anthem issue. Riley has perspective - he played at Alabama shortly after team integrated.
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) September 26, 2016
Riley says he hasn't personally gotten much blowback on anthem protest. #Huskers
— Eric Olson (@ericolson64) September 26, 2016
Riley said rose Ivey spoke “very eloquently” to team about why he wanted to kneel at anthem. #huskers
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) September 26, 2016
Other players gave their thoughts as well:
Tommy Armstrong on his respect for Michael Rose-Ivey: "Different people have different religions but you don't look at them different ways."
— Erin Sorensen (@erinsorensen) September 26, 2016
Armstrong said MRI made clear that top focus was winning
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) September 26, 2016
Darlington: #Huskers not divided over anthem issue.Says there is problem in America but there are ways to protest that don't involve anthem
— Eric Olson (@ericolson64) September 26, 2016
I suspect that Zach Darlington wasn’t in agreement with Rose-Ivey’s actions. Then Michael Rose-Ivey read a prepared statement:
When the anthem played, MRI prayed. He quotes 2 Cor.
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) September 26, 2016
MRI said he’s not anti-police, anti-military or anti-American. “I love this country.” But he can’t “turn a blind eye to injustice.”
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) September 26, 2016
Rose-Ivey reading from a written statement. Felt it was his "duty to step up" and use his platform to bring awareness to social injustices.
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) September 26, 2016
Rose-Ivey says he can't count the number of times he's heard the N-word shouted behind the bench.
— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) September 26, 2016
Rose-Ivey says he's been called the N-word. Says he's been told he should "be hung" before the next game. He's on the verge of tears.
— Christopher Heady (@heady_chris) September 26, 2016
Rose-Ivey: “We as black athletes cannot remain silent.” #huskers
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) September 26, 2016
MRI said bus ride to airport after game hurt him greatly because of what he had to read fans saying about him.
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) September 26, 2016
Some in the media reacted to what they heard. Frankly, I’m all on board with what Dan and Erin are saying.
I held Michael Rose-Ivey in high regard before this morning. On a whole new level now. The hate that he says he's received... unreal.
— Dan Hoppen (@danhoppen) September 26, 2016
I cannot say I understand what Michael Rose-Ivey feels and experiences. But when he spoke about the hate he has received, damn.
— Erin Sorensen (@erinsorensen) September 26, 2016
I have been called the c-word in my mentions, I have been told I should have died in my car accident. I mean, shit, you guys.
— Erin Sorensen (@erinsorensen) September 26, 2016
I’m a white male, so I can’t speak to what Sorensen or Rose-Ivey have to deal with. But I have no reason to doubt what they are saying, because I see enough examples out there to believe that these are not just isolated examples. If anything, it actually seems like it might be getting worse in this country.
I've been to 100s of press conferences. I've never heard anything more passionate, powerful or meaningful than @Rose_IveyNB15 just now.
— John Bishop (@JohnBishop71) September 26, 2016
Whether you agree w/ his stance or not, we'd be improved as a society w/ more young men as thoughtful and genuine as Michael Rose-Ivey
— Chris Whitney (@CMWhitneyNCN) September 26, 2016
There are things that are hard for us all to understand. My wife couldn't comprehend some of the things she saw and heard in the south.
— Mike'l Severe (@MikelSevere) September 26, 2016
If you havent been followed around in a store, ignored while trying to buy things. Pulled over for no reason its hard to get the frustration
— Mike'l Severe (@MikelSevere) September 26, 2016
I'm sure Rose Ivey understands for everyone of those evil fans, there are hundreds that would never say those things. Or even think them.
— Mike'l Severe (@MikelSevere) September 26, 2016
While they are a minority, they are a very vocal minority who seem to be raising their volume in society today.
Barry said he has received "far more positive" reaction from fans than negative. Said he's more certain now that Nebraska is place for him.
— Samuel McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) September 26, 2016
And that’s good to know. Personally, I’m proud of the stand that Rose-Ivey, Barry and Neal took.
Update:
Michael Rose-Ivey posted his entire statement to Twitter.
(1/2) pic.twitter.com/KyqpCON9c3
— Michael Rose-Ivey (@Rose_IveyNB15) September 26, 2016
(2/2) pic.twitter.com/YkO1aeulJk
— Michael Rose-Ivey (@Rose_IveyNB15) September 26, 2016