If you think you were unhappy about Nebraska’s loss to Oregon, it sounds like Mike Riley is even more so:
This is the most frustrated I've seen Riley at a Monday press conference. He is not happy about how things played out Saturday.
— Sean Callahan (@Sean_Callahan) September 11, 2017
Clear takeaway: Riley saw Saturday's film and it made him sick all the lost opportunities the Huskers had.
— Brian Christopherson (@Husker247BC) September 11, 2017
Riley pretty passionate talking about how hungry his team should be to practice and "just sick" watching Saturday's film.
— Brian Christopherson (@Husker247BC) September 11, 2017
Riley: "Overall picture offensively was inconsistent for sure. Really portrayed itself on third down. We had a bad day on third down."
— Brian Christopherson (@Husker247BC) September 11, 2017
Riley: Defensively, "it truly was a tale of two halves."
— Evan Bland (@EvanBlandOWH) September 11, 2017
Riley says defense in secondary is all about position downfield. Says DBs defended the post routes better after half.
— Evan Bland (@EvanBlandOWH) September 11, 2017
Riley said Gifford, Weber, Young, Stoltenberg played well. Aaron Williams was productive. "Eric Lee, we're excited about his improvement."
— Brian Christopherson (@Husker247BC) September 11, 2017
Riley says he's been really impressed with Nebraska's two halftimes. Calls Bob Diaco calculated and analytical in those moments.
— Evan Bland (@EvanBlandOWH) September 11, 2017
Bright side offense, Riley said, was play of freshman Matt Forniok at tackle. "He played well," Riley said.
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) September 11, 2017
Matt Farniok, the freshman tackle, looks like he’ll get more playing time, as David Knevel is “week to week” and may be out for a while.
Injuries: Kalu doubtful with hamstring, Knevel will be week-to-week but doubtful this week, Riley said.
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) September 11, 2017
But the big question is I-back Tre’ Bryant’s knee. It sounds like it’s not a new injury, but rather, more like a tire that may not have a lot of tread left.
Huge break for Nebraska. Tre Bryant sustained "no new" injury. Still up in the air though for this week.
— Sean Callahan (@Sean_Callahan) September 11, 2017
Riley said Tre Bryant's bad knee is "older than his age" and just something he's had since he arrived at NU and will have to deal with.
— Brian Christopherson (@Husker247BC) September 11, 2017
Nebraska limited Bryant’s work in preseason practice because of his knee, but nobody seems to have asked why Bryant was given the ball 31 times in the season opener against Arkansas State, apparently. That means that true freshman Jaylin Bradley will burn his redshirt and get ready to play.
Riley said Jaylin Bradley will play on special teams this week and train as one of the running backs. No redshirt for him.
— Brian Christopherson (@Husker247BC) September 11, 2017
But wait? What about Devine Ozigbo?
Why no Devine Ozigbo? Riley: "We're not into the rotation deal like we have been in the past." Want to keep a consistent guy in.
— Evan Bland (@EvanBlandOWH) September 11, 2017
Riley said Ozigbo "is in position right now where we have chosen the other guys to be 1 and 2." Expect him to play well if called upon.
— Brian Christopherson (@Husker247BC) September 11, 2017
Which is a fair answer, except that the depth chart released earlier this morning still lists an “ OR “ betweeen Mikale Wilbon and Ozigbo. Guess that’s a typo.
Riley: "I think it's really hard for Devine, because Devine cares a lot." Coaches advise him to continue to work.
— Evan Bland (@EvanBlandOWH) September 11, 2017
Riley: "I think it's really hard for Devine (Ozigbo)" not to play.
— Christopher Heady (@heady_chris) September 11, 2017
"We made decision outside of anything he could do about it."
As for Tanner Lee and his rough day at Oregon, Riley is still a believer.
Riley on Tanner Lee: "He can make the throws, and there were some beautiful plays. What we need is consistency."
— Brian Christopherson (@Husker247BC) September 11, 2017
As for this week’s opponent, look for something akin to Arkansas State again.
In Northern Illinois, Riley said Nebraska will see a third version of offense its seen this season. Some bubble screens, speed on perimeter.
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) September 11, 2017
Mick Stoltenberg spoke after Riley, giving a sense of the defense’s turnaround.
Stoltenberg said #Huskers figured Oregon would run ball more in second half and was pleased with how D-line responded in stopping run.
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) September 11, 2017
"He wasn't yelling or freaking out or anything like that. He was calm," Stoltenberg said of DC Bob Diaco's mood at halftime (down 42-14).
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) September 11, 2017