Notable quote from Nebraska’s 31-24 overtime loss to Northwestern.
Mike Riley on Northwestern’s pass defense:
“I think that they spent a good deal of time with different looks, kind of curveballs to the short side of the field on Stanley (Morgan Jr.). It wasn’t necessarily different from what they’ve done, it was just more of an emphasis of what they did most often, I think was it, and then we got surprised with a couple of coverages, not that they haven’t run those coverages, but we just got surprised with a couple of them when they intercepted those out-routes earlier in the game.”
Tanner Lee on missed opportunities:
“One of the big things this week was to make sure we finished in the end zone and so that was disappointing, you know to go on a big drive like that and not be able to punch it in. So, have got to be better there. It takes a lot of pressure off of our defense who played well enough to win tonight. We will keep pushing there.”
Lee on drowning out speculations about the program:
“You know, it is tough and I think that it has been alright because of the team we have. I think I have been able to rally behind my teammates and I think we’ve all been able to help each other when things like that are going on because it is tough when you’re having a tough season. You know, I always rely on those guys in every situation. Those are the guys I hang out with all week, I hang out with after games. The guys I love crying with, playing games with and the only thing that really matters to me is wanting to play well for my coaches and wanting to play well for my teammates. Because those are the guys that put in the endless hours of work with me and for me and we do it together. So just having that always in the back of my mind really drives me.”
Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald on overtime:
“I think our guys have some confidence in tight games. To see now the way we responded, to see the look in their eye when it was overtime, we are going to win this game. The way our offense went down and made a great drive together. I thought Mick [McCall, offensive coordinator] called a really great overtime. There were some things there, we talked with the offensive staff, there were a couple concepts we wanted to try in overtime."
Fitzgerald on Riley:
"Mike Riley is a good friend and a great coach. The Cornhuskers have a great football coach here, with Mike and his staff. To see how they are handling the outside noise and to take this talented team and get better and improve. From one coach to another, I tip my hat to Mike and his staff because I think he is doing one heck of a job. Like I told him after the game, I have so much respect for him. Love him dearly, we have been AFCA board members now for a number of years together and to listen to his moral compass when it comes to our game, to student-athletes, is second to none. I tip my hat to him and the young men for the quality battle. But we found a way to get it done, and we will take it and move forward."
Northwestern QB Clayton Thorson on the key to the offense’s successful drive following [senior safety Godwin Igwebuike's] interception:
“It starts up front, those guys are playing well. I hit a few passes. On those three other drives I missed some throws I never miss, so I have to do a little better job of that. Our o-line did a really good job. [Senior running back Justin Jackson] and [redshirt freshman running back Jeremy Larkin] man, I looked up one time and it was like 270 yards rushing. They did a great job, credit to those guys.”
Greg is the Recruiting Analyst for Hail Varsity and has covered Husker athletics since 2013. He has always had a passion for sports while growing up in the Chicago area. As he got older and had to hang up his cleats and sneakers, he realized his passion for sports went beyond just watching and attending games. He has covered many events from the Rose Bowl to championship boxing matches. If he’s not talking sports, he’s hovering over his grill. He is married to an amazing woman, Kim, and they have a dog that barks when Greg yells at the TV during games.
