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Earlier this morning, the Big Ten Network announced that kickoff for the Huskers game against Northwestern (i.e. NU/NW) will be on November 4 at 2:30 p.m., televised by BTN.
Nebraska head football coach Mike Riley had his Monday press conference and started out by saying that while the Huskers are not happy with the football they’re playing, they are still working hard to improve and he still likes his team.
This is a good thing.
Riley starts off Monday presser by speaking about how disappointing the FB has been thus far. Still likes this team #Huskers
— Joe Quinn (@JoeESPN590) October 23, 2017
Chris Weber gets a Riley shoutout:
Riley singles out senior linebacker Chris Weber as "about as sound and consistent of a player as you can find." #Huskers
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) October 23, 2017
Antonio Reed, Aaron Williams and Joshua Kalu appear ready to return to action this week. This is good, because they’ll be needed.
Antonio Reed, Aaron Williams and Josh Kalu should be healthy to practice this week, Riley said. #Huskers
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) October 23, 2017
Tre Bryant, unfortunately, is done for the season.
Tre Bryant will have surgery tomorrow, Riley said.
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) October 23, 2017
The good news is that Bryant is eligible for a medical redshirt, having only played in two games this season.
Medical redshirt obviously next step for Bryant, who played in two games this season, Riley said. #Huskers
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) October 23, 2017
More bad news on injuries, though, as Dedrick Young and Luke Gifford (who had been playing well) are probably not going to see the field this weekend against Purdue:
More injury news: Young (wrist) doubtful, Gifford (hip) questionable.
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) October 23, 2017
Tyrin Ferguson is a sophomore out of Edna Karr in Louisiana. Marcus Newby is a senior from Maryland:
Riley points to Tyrin Ferguson and Marcus Newby as those who could fill in if Gifford and/or Dedrick Young can't go at LB.
— Evan Bland (@EvanBlandOWH) October 23, 2017
That could mean one of two things: First, one of the current quarterbacks may be thinking of transferring, or second, the coaching staff is reassessing the current roster and thinking they might need a different skill set, perhaps looking again at dual-threat quarterbacks. Honestly, this is where we really miss Brian and need to find someone to bolster our recruiting coverage:
Riley said Nebraska will actively recruit a QB for the 2018 class. No slam dunk they'll take one, but will take "right" guy
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) October 23, 2017
Some people have criticized Nebraska’s depth at quarterback in recent years, and Riley counters that argument, especially with only 85 scholarships available for the entire team.
Riley likes "a small room in the QB room". May wait until 2019 to take a QB, but if they find the "right '18 guy", could change. #Huskers
— Thor Tripp (@ThorTripp) October 23, 2017
And here’s the money quote for everyone to rip on Riley, because it’s all his fault that in year three he still hasn’t gotten to the roster position he’d like to be in...
Riley has a point, although it’s mostly lost by now. We wouldn’t have been happy with Mark Banker sticking around, but we’re not happy with the defensive changes and Bob Diaco’s 3-4 defense either.
Riley says that with changing defensive schemes and roster changes, thinks this year feels more like a year 1 as opposed to a year 3.
— Big Red WrapUp (@BigRedWrapUp) October 23, 2017
It’s not a good sign about your current tight ends that you bring up a couple redshirts when someone asks you about tight ends who might be able to help right now. Our tight ends have not played well at all, and it is hurting this offense.
Asked about young TEs maybe being close to helping, Riley brought up 2 guys who are redshirting who excite him: Austin Allen & Kurt Rafdal.
— Brian Christopherson (@Husker247BC) October 23, 2017
More shuffling is underway on the offensive line, where redshirt freshman Matt Farniok is experimenting at guard.
Matt Farniok rotated in at guard last week in practice. He told me today that he played guard freshman year of HS, but that's it. #Huskers
— Parker Gabriel (@HuskerExtraPG) October 23, 2017
Tanner Lee spoke after Mike Riley, and alluded to the growing speculation about the head coach.
Tanner Lee: "We have so much respect for Coach Riley, and we love him. No matter what's going on, we play hard for him."
— Brian Christopherson (@Husker247BC) October 23, 2017
That concludes this week’s Mike Riley press conference!
Woohoooo! Go Big Red!