DUBLIN, Ireland – Nebraska held its first on-site practice at the Lansdowne FC practice field on Wednesday in Ireland.
Here is a quick recap of what offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, defensive coordinator Erik Chinander, and a handful of Husker players had to say…
Offensive coordinator Mark Whipple
***Whipple said he was in Ireland about four years ago on a golf trip, so he was already very familiar with the jet lag that comes with this type of travel. He said the staff had to have “patience” with the players today because many were still adjusting, which led to a slower start and some mental mistakes during Wednesday’s practice.
Whipple said the Huskers settled in and got better as the practice continued. The team also made sure to ease the players into their new setting with a light walk-through on Tuesday.
***Whipple said he talked with the quarterbacks this morning, and they told him they had “never been so tired” than they were when they first arrived in Ireland. The team made sure guys got to bed early and got solid sleep on Tuesday night, and the hope is everyone will be adjusted and rested by Thursday.
***Whipple said he wanted to see Casey Thompson protect the football and be a leader in his first start as a Husker. He said Thompson had done a good job establishing himself in a leadership role this offseason, but he said true leadership was earned when it mattered the most.
“Leadership comes from your play, not your mouth,” Whipple said.
***Whipple said his top goal for the offense – besides scoring points – was to “get out of the first quarter without giving the game away.”
***Whipple said the offense had one bad practice out of 15 in the spring and one in 24 practices this fall. He said he was pleased with how the players had bought into the changes made on that side of the ball.
Defensive coordinator Erik Chinander
***Chinander said NU held a 10-minute walk-through on Tuesday shortly after they arrived in Ireland to help the team settle into their Ireland routine. Chinander said the fall schedule had been great and was thankful for so many people inside and outside the program who “set us up for success” on the trip.
***Chinander said the nine Blackshirts that were awarded were hanging in the players’ lockers at Aviva Stadium on Wednesday when the team arrived for practice.
***Chinander said there would be a few more handed out once some of the new guys backed up their strong offseasons with their play “under the lights.”
***Chinander said Marques Buford could have played last year as a true freshman. He’s been working at cornerback and safety and has “done everything right,” according to Chinander.
***Chinander said Colton Feist had “done it the right way” since he joined the program, and now all of his hard work had been rewarded with a Blackshirt. Chinander said Feist “kept fighting” and “proved he belongs” with the top defense.
***Chinander noted the defense was preparing to see multiple quarterbacks and other new wrinkles out of Northwestern’s offense on Saturday. He said the Wildcats always had some tricks up their sleeves, “but we’ll be ready for all of them.”
***Chinander will coach the game from the box located in the corner of the end zone at Aviva Stadium. He said it was a different field angle than he was used to but had no concerns.
***Chinander said what he wanted to see the most from the team on Saturday was “if these guys are who I think they are.” He wants to see “big-time effort” and strong on-field communication while finally playing in front of a crowd again.