Nebraska offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen
***Holgorsen said what stood out about
Nyziah Hunter when they recruited him out of the portal were his “contested catches” and strength in winning 50-50 balls. However, Holgorsen quickly saw Hunter’s ability as a catch-and-runner in the screen game. He said Hunter was one of those “fearless” players who was willing to catch in traffic and absorb contact.
“He’s really playing well… When you have guys with that look in their eye, you have to find ways to get them the ball.”
***On the evolution of Nebraska’s running game, Holgorsen said they “took a real jump in the right direction” at Maryland. They wanted to combat Maryland’s athleticism off the edge, and that started with great blocking inside and on the perimeter. The next step was for him to “stay patient and stick with it.”
***Holgorsen said
Dylan Raiola was “really good” at the beginning and end of the game at Maryland. He said he was “so proud” of how Raiola finished, even though there were throws he’d obviously like to have back. Despite his struggles, Raiola “played as well as anybody in the country for that fourth quarter.”
***Holgorsen said Minnesota’s defense has thrived in taking the ball away because “they’re just so dang sound, man. It’s impressive.” He called it a “sound, stingy defense” that commits to stopping the run first.
***Holgorsen said
Emmett Johnson was “the most focused guy on our team,” and he wasn’t worried about Johnson’s emotions returning to his native Minneapolis. Holgorsen said Johnson’s confidence was “at an all-time high right now” and he was doing everything right. He noted that Johnson “made 10 humans miss (tackles) last week. That’s hard to do… He’s a total running back.”
***Looking back on last offseason, Holgorsen said he had two or three “real conversations” with Johnson about his future at Nebraska. He said it “caught me off guard” that Johnson was debating entering the portal, which he briefly did. In the end, Holgorsen said
***On handling coaching rumors like the ones surrounding Rhule and Penn State, Holgorsen said NU’s focus was only on Minnesota.
“He’s a pro at it,” Holgorsen said. “It’s just part of the profession. I haven’t talked to my agents about anything, and I’m not going to.”
Defensive coordinator John Butler
***Butler said Minnesota’s offense embodied what the program has always been about – tough, hard-nosed kids who play hard every snap. “I think they’re going to try to run the football on us. You’d be a fool not to do that.” He’s challenged his defense to answer the call there this week.
***Butler said preparing on a short week was all about “getting the players’ bodies right” early in the week while also making the most of every practice.
***On Nebraska’s quality of travel for road games, Butler called it: “Insane.” He said everything they did was “elite,” whether it was recovery, meals, or amenities. “If a player comes up here and gives you any kind of excuse, they’re full of it.” He said NU’s travel was better than some NFL teams.
***Butler said the No. 1 thing Nebraska’s defense didn’t do last week was affect the quarterback. That’s not about pressure, but more about getting “into the head of the quarterback” by disguising blitzes and coverages. He thought he ran too much zone at Maryland early on, before eventually getting more aggressive later in the game.
***Butler said he didn’t put as much stock into pressures as he does quarterback hits. For example,
Williams Nwaneri had eight pressures but let a sack “go through his hands.” He said Nwaneri was playing very well, but he “still has a long way to go in terms of finishing plays.”
He wants a minimum of five QB hits per game, and the Huskers only had one on Saturday. Part of that was Butler not calling “enough” blitzes of more than four rushers.
***Butler said the defense finishing games the last two weeks will hopefully build the unit’s confidence in those situations.
***Butler said
Dasan McCullough had been “a great addition” to the defense and could do a lot of things on defense. “Players like him and players similar to him are guys we’re always going to look for.”
Quarterback Dylan Raiola
***Raiola said his fourth-quarter success was a credit to having “elite pass catchers… It’s my job to get them the football, and they do the rest.” He said games were 60 minutes long and “you win the game in the fourth quarter.” He doesn’t let early struggles change his approach late in games.
***Raiola said Johnson returning to Minnesota “means a lot to us” because of Johnson’s path and the chance to “make his mark” back home.
***Raiola said Johnson was an “elite” running back, which helps the offense “with everything… He’s just so versatile. I can’t say enough great things about him.”
***Raiola said the tunnel screens to Hunter were “an 11-man play” where everyone contributes to their success. He said he saw highlights of Hunter while at Cal. “Dude made so many plays. He’s just a gamer.”
***On playing a second straight road game on a short week, Raiola said: “We love it… You don’t want anything handed to you, especially something that’s worth it.”
***On the rumors surrounding Rhule and Penn State, Raiola said they hadn’t impacted Rhule “at all.” Raiola posted a picture of Rhule on Instagram to show everyone that “he ain’t going nowhere.”
Defensive lineman Cam Lenhardt
***
Cam Lenhardt said Tuesday was his first practice this season since having his cast removed. He said he felt “freer” by finally getting to use his other hand instead of just a club.
***Lenhardt said the defense always practices two-minute situations, and that’s been a focus for the defensive line. Seeing them execute in those situations the last two weeks felt like all their hard work was paying off.
***Lenhardt said Nebraska had a different “belief” on the road this year. He said the Huskers weren’t worried about “beating ourselves” and instead focused on ways they can succeed. “It’s a different mindset.”
***Lenhardt said Johnson told the team on the sideline that Maryland “can’t stop me” and for the Huskers to “feed me the rock!” Shortly after, Johnson ripped off his highlight 50-yard run to help swing the game.
***Lenhardt’s first career start was at Minnesota two years ago. He remembered how fast everything was, and the game has slowed down significantly since then. He said he still has “a bad taste in my mouth” from that loss and was eager to get another chance there this week.
Running back Emmett Johnson
***Johnson said he “definitely” had a chip on his shoulder playing at Minnesota again. However, he wasn’t going to let that change his preparation and keep him from playing “in the moment.”
***With so many family, friends, and former coaches attending the game, and it being a Friday night kick, Johnson said it would feel like “Friday Night Lights again” going back to his high school days.
***Johnson said he was telling everyone that the Maryland game would “come down to the fourth quarter.” He pushed his teammates to be ready for the moment, and they all answered the call.
***On his significantly larger workload this season, Johnson said he’s put a lot more time into his recovery and is doing all he can to stay “fresh” during the week.
***Johnson said the first half of this season was “fun,” but he’s already moved on to the next game. “I have a lot more work to do, and this team has a lot more work to do.”
***Johnson said he loves Holgorsen, especially with how he “makes the game simple for us and allows us to play free.” He said Holgorsen believed in him, which built Johnson’s self-confidence to take his game to the next level. Johnson said his skill set was a perfect fit in Holgorsen’s offense, which was a big reason why he decided to stay at Nebraska.
Offensive lineman Justin Evans
***
Justin Evans said the offensive linemen like those tunnel screen plays and getting upfield as lead blockers.
***Evans said he’s “really embraced the role” of a vocal leader, and a lot of that’s come from moving to center.
***Evans said he came to Nebraska with Johnson and took their official visit together. Seeing Johnson’s success, “I just feel nothing but joy for him.”
Running back Kenneth Williams
***
Kenneth Williams said he didn’t expect to get a scholarship after the Maryland game, but he always knew if he kept working hard, one might come. He said there were “a lot of emotions” when
Troy Dannen awarded him a scholarship after the game.
***Williams said he earned the kickoff returner role by telling
Mike Ekeler to “give me a chance” every day this offseason. He said Ekeler was “definitely hype” when Williams received his scholarship.
***Had he not walked on at Nebraska, Williams said he likely would have walked on at Nebraska-Kearney. He used his senior year of track and field to showcase his speed, and that opened the door for him at NU.
***Williams said Nebraska’s special teams felt different this season because of Ekeler. “He definitely brings the juice.”
Wide receiver Dane Key
***
Dane Key said Saturday was his first game-winning catch of his career. “It was definitely really special.” He said that play was the result of “days like today” in practice, where the work during the week paid off in a game.
***After not recording a catch vs. Michigan State, Key said he only worried about “putting good stuff on tape” and playing quality football. Nebraska was 5-1, and “that’s all that matters.”
***Key said the receivers have embraced a “no block, no rock” mentality. He said perimeter blocking would be critical against a physical defense like Minnesota’s.
***On Hunter, Key said, “That boy is a gamer… Every time he touches the ball, it’s super exciting to watch him.”
***Key said games like Maryland “shouldn’t have to come down to the fourth quarter,” but winning the way they did showed “what we can be” as a team.
***Key said the biggest adjustment he’s made from the SEC to the Big Ten was how much teams “aren’t going to beat themselves, they’re going to make you beat them” in the Big Ten.
