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Head coach Scott Frost took the podium for his usual Monday press conference and had a lot of positive things to say.
As always, my quotes are typed out in real time and my best synopsis of what was said. They are likely not exact as I don’t go back and re-listen to the audio.
"We left a lot of stuff on the field. We got better this week. I was thrilled that there weren't any of those dumb mistakes." -Scott Frost #Huskers
— KRNU Sports (@KRNUSports) October 8, 2018
On the running backs and depth:
You saw what Devine Ozigbo did two games ago...we saw in this last game what we’ve been seeing in practice from Maurice Washington. Wyatt Mazour is a guy we trust, I’m ready to put him in a game...Mikale Wilbon is getting ready to play...
Asked about Jaylin Bradley, Scott Frost said that right now he is the fifth running back.
When asked about Northwestern, Scott Frost immediately said that Pat Fitzgerald is one of the “good guys” in the game. He said that like Nebraska, Northwestern lost a talented running back in Larkin and their running game has taken a hit each week. But Northwestern has still gotten things done.
On punting and the change in punters during the Wisconsin game:
Issac Armstrong is now the starting punter. Isaac Armstrong “punted it where he was supposed to punt it.” Because Caleb Lightbourn has been making so many mistakes, and Frost noted a bunch of them, and that Nebraska is not good enough to overcome those mistakes so they had to give Armstrong a look.
Frost now at the podium for his weekly press conference: "Isaac punted it where he was supposed to punt it." Former Lincoln Southwest stud Isaac Armstrong is the #Huskers starting punter.
— Andrew Ward (@AndrewWardKLKN) October 8, 2018
On J.D. Spielman and Stanley Morgan
I don’t want to speculate on where they stack up against other people, but I’m sure glad we have them.
On growth of the team
A lot of the pieces we need are growing and improving and getting better
Cameron Jurgens update. Frost said that after evaluating him for a while that he is as physical a blocker that there is on the team and could be really good at center or guard. Right now he is practicing at both center and guard. Also Jurgens has embraced the idea of not getting the ball thrown to him while spending his time as a blocker.
We could still use him as a tight end...but he knows that it is a commitment to develop in that area [offensive line]...we’re working to put good weight on him...
Frost on Cam Jurgens: "Anybody that can throw the shotput farther than I can, I have a special place for them in my heart."
— Derek Peterson (@DrPeteyHV) October 8, 2018
Frost sees a bright future for him at C/G, he's seeing looks on the offensive line and at TE. Said Jurgens has bought into that view. #Huskers
On J.D. Spielman’s postgame press conference after his record-setting game:
Frost said JD Spielman doesn't talk a whole lot to the coaches either, let alone the media. #Huskers
— Omaha Sports Insider (@OSIsports) October 8, 2018
Frost said Spielman isn't much of a talker, sick in spring, wasn't a great practice player through two weeks of camp, then turned it on in last two weeks of camp. Now, he's dominating. #huskers
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) October 8, 2018
Also when asked about his old boss, Chip Kelly, who is also winless at UCLA and whether he has talked to him he said it is like Spielman, he doesn’t talk to him very much. But mentioned that when Chip Kelly and Frost got to Oregon that the team was already stacked and that Kelly is probably doing a lot of fixing at UCLA right now. He’s “fighting the good fight.”
On preparing for Northwestern:
Frost said the #Huskers will practice on the grass the next two days, and haven't mowed it since last Thursday. #Same
— Brian Christopherson (@Husker247BC) October 8, 2018
Injuries at linebacker especially have caused worries about depth and changed up the practice routine.
Nebraska practiced without pads today. Something unusual for Frost. Said the team is pretty beat up and needed it. #Huskers
— Derek Peterson (@DrPeteyHV) October 8, 2018
On Adrian Martinez’ maturity
“I would have never been able to do what he is doing at 18 years old...that says a lot about him...
On penalties
“We deserved a lot of the ones we got...they were dumb decisions...getting better at technique will continue to help us with that...”
On Clayton Thorsen (Northwestern’s QB)
He’s fun to watch, he’s a gamer, he’s reliable, makes plays when you need them...
On the team dynamic
“Something’s changed. It really changed after the Purdue game. Guys are bonding out there. We have less culture killers and more culture-keepers or culture-promoters. Sometimes you have to lose guys or gotta bench players...I think what brought it about was losing three games largely due to self-inflicted penalties.”
Frost references "Culture killers" and "Culture Keepers." Ends press conference with his best soundbyte. #Huskers
— Kevin Sjuts (@kevinsjuts) October 8, 2018
Ended with he feels “like they finally turned a corner.”
We’re on to Northwestern. Go Big Red!