We took advantage of the opportunities to get ahead, and what I liked is we didn't slop around and play with a lot of mistakes and we didn't turn the football over. There were a lot of good things there. |
We'd like to tackle the quarterback, ... Traditionally here, we've taken great pride in the way we played defense. Like every other program in the country, the spread offense creates problems. I've said this because when you use the quarterback, really in many instances like a tailback, and yet you have four wide receivers and you spread the defense out, you're going to give up some yardage, you're going to give up some points. I think that's fundamental. |
We'll see how we react Saturday. That's always the biggest test — how you respond. Everybody's disappointed but resolute in doing what we have to do to turn the season around. |
We're just not where we need to be, |
We're still a long way from being where we need to be. |
We've been giving the ball back too many times. We haven't been productive. |
We've got to get the ball in there for seven points. |
We've looked at a lot of film of Charlie's teams at New England. We've talked to a number of people who have coached against him, done as much research as it's possible to do. |
We've played some very, very fine defensive fronts, and I think this is the best we've played. They lead the nation in sacks. I think that alone tells you the challenge we have. |
We've really gotten a lot of work, and we're much improved in that area from the day we started spring practice. |
We've worked hard on it, but the key to the Nebraska defense is up-front four. That'll be a real test for us. |
When I look back on it, we were ninth in the Big Ten in rushing offense. That's how you lose five games. You better be able to run the football and then you have a chance. |
When you are across from him, you always know you are going to be in a real fight. |
When you have an opportunity to go in front of the media, there's always a chance to make mistakes. It's part of the growing process, part of the college experience. He felt really badly. It's just one of those things that happen, and you move on. |
When you look at what he did in the fourth quarter, there was not a lot of space in that defense on the last drive. |