Notable quotes from Nebraska’s 35-32 victory over the Oregon Ducks.
Head coach Mike Riley on the best aspect of the game:
I think the thing that meant the most to me just in this brief moment after the game is how we just stayed in and had enough about us to win the game. As many of you know that sat right in this room last year we had too many of these that went the wrong way a year ago. To play tough with a lot of poise and make the plays to win at the end was really good for this group of guys.
On his general feeling about the game:
Just talking about our team, I am so proud of them and I thought we were tight at the beginning of the game, it felt so good all week and it didn’t feel very good at the beginning, but after Oregon took the lead on us we kind of settled down and started playing and then it was a football game. Both ways, lots of different things that happened in that game that influenced the end. I think it was just a great game.
Defensive coordinator Mark Banker on defeating Oregon:
To win, number one, is always great. There’s nothing better than winning. It’s the most important thing. It’s not about me at all. It’s about that group of guys because it’s fresh in my mind exactly where we were last year at this time and it was important to win this game, to continue to grow and to not get too far ahead of myself. I’m going to tell you what, we’re going to enjoy this thing for the next whatever it is, maybe 12 hours or so, but if we don’t win the next one, this one doesn’t matter.
On quarterback Tommy Armstrong:
Tommy Armstrong is awesome. You know, whatever, all the up and down stuff, whether it’s his passing or decisions or whatever. If I know one thing, the dude’s got a heart of a lion and you can’t take that away from him. He’s an awesome competitor.
Special teams coach Bruce Read on punter Caleb Lightbourn:
He’s really a mentally tough kid for as young as he is and the big stage he has been thrown on. He’s really done a tremendous job. I’m really proud of him.
Safety Nathan Gerry on quarterback Tommy Armstrong:
Ever since I have been here I have respected the hell out of Tommy. Tommy is one of the toughest dudes I know. I have never seen him get knocked down and not get back up. The whole team respects Tommy for him as a ball player. We love him for it.
Defensive end Freedom Akinmoladun on heading into Big Ten play 3-0:
We all have a mindset, especially the defensive line, and we just want to do our best, every single time, every single play, and that goes for the whole defense. We want to go out there, play our best every single play and give it our all.
Safety Kieron Williams on processing his Blackshirt and defeating Oregon:
I mean, I haven’t even processed the Blackshirt thing so the win thing is probably going to take awhile. It’s just a blessing to have all those things go the way they’re going.
Erin is the Deputy Editor and Digital Marketing Strategist for Hail Varsity. She has covered Nebraska athletics since 2012, which has included stops at Bleacher Report, Cox Media Group’s Land of 10, and even Hail Varsity (previously from 2012-2017). She has also been featured on the Big Ten Network, NET’s Big Red Wrap-Up, and a varsity of radio shows nationwide. When not covering the Huskers, Erin is probably at Chipotle.
