♪ ♪ >>> AFTER A PROMISING FIRST HALF, MULTIPLE SCORING DRIVES IN THE SECOND HALF, MADE IT CLEAR THIS NEBRASKA TEAM IS FAR FROM THE PROGRAM'S PRIME AS THEY FELL TO COLORADO 36-14.

WITH THE QUARTERBACK POSITION IN QUESTION, HOW WILL MATT RHULE AND HIS STAFF TURN THIS SEASON AROUND?

WE'LL BREAK IT DOWN AND TALK TO A SPECIAL GUEST, FORMER HUSKER JAY FOREMAN.

SEAN CALLAHAN ALSO JOINS WITH THE LATEST IN BIG RED RECRUITING.

ALL THAT AND MORE NEXT ON "BIG RED WRAP-UP."

♪ HI, I'M MIKE'L SEVERE AND WELCOME TO "BIG RED WRAP-UP" ON NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA.

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2020 NEBRASKA STARTS THE SEASON 0 AND 2.

FINALLY GETS A TEAM, THEY GET TO PLAY AT HOME THIS WEEK.

JAY MOORE, OF COURSE, AND DAMON BENNING, THE FORMER HUSKERS JOINING US HERE ON "BIG RED WRAP-UP."

IT HAD BEEN NICE IF THIS WOULD'VE BEEN THE OPENING GAME, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

A CHANCE TO GET ALL OF THE MISTAKES OUT.

INSTEAD THEY GET THEIR MISTAKES OUT ON THE ROAD AGAINST TWO POWER FIVE TEAMS.

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, I AM NOT IN CHARGE OF THE SCHEDULE.

IF I WAS I WOULD NOT BE SCHEDULING CONFERENCE OR OTHER POWER FIVES, I'M LOOKING AT THE LESSER, YOU KNOW?

IT JUST IS WHAT IT IS, YOU'VE GOTTA PLAY WHO YOU PLAY AND NOW THROUGH TWO GAMES YOU KNOW WHO NEBRASKA IS, AND I THINK THROUGH TWO GAMES THEY HAVE A GOOD DEFENSE, OKAY SPECIAL TEAMS AND AN OFFENSE THAT HAS ISSUES AND THEY TURNED THE BALL OVER.

WE WILL SEE IF THEY CAN GET THAT RESURRECTED AND FIXED AGAINST NORTHERN ILLINOIS THIS WEEK.

>> I FEEL LIKE YOU'RE STARTING ME OFF WITH AN 0-2 HITTING COUNT AND YOU'RE GETTING READY TO HIT ME WITH A SLIDER.

YOU KNOW I HATE TALKING ABOUT SCHEDULES.

>> I KNOW, DAMON.

I KNOW.

USING MARYLAND AS A QUICK EXAMPLE, RIGHT?

THEY COME OUT PLAYING HORRIBLY.

HE THROWS -- TAULIA TAGOVAILOA THROWS AN INTERCEPTION FOR A PICK SIX THE OTHER WAY BUT THEY RALLIED BECAUSE THEY'RE PLAYING A TEAM THAT'S NOT AS GOOD.

>> I UNDERSTAND.

>> IT'S BAD TO PLAY TWO POWER FIVE TEAMS IN A ROW.

>> IT IS, BUT -- >> WHO ELSE IS DOING THAT?

>> NO, I GET IT.

IT IS NOT CONDUCIVE TO SUCCESS.

BUT THEY HAD A CHANCE TO BEAT MINNESOTA AND I THINK THAT'S ALL YOU CAN ASK.

GOING IN AT THE HALF YOU FELT PRETTY GOOD, RIGHT?

24 PLAYS, THE FIRST 24 FOR 50 YARDS IN COLORADO?

AND YOU WERE RIGHT THERE, NEBRASKA'S ONLY GOT SO MANY TOES.

THEY'VE GOTTA TO KEEP THEM AROUND HERE A LITTLE BIT.

GIVE YOURSELF A CHANCE.

>> YEAH, SO YOU THINK THAT IS MORE CONCENTRATION ISSUES?

BECAUSE I KNOW PEOPLE ARE IRATE BECAUSE IT'S A SNAP.

YOU'VE GOTTA TO CATCH THE SNAP.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE ISSUE IS?

>> SO I THINK THE FIRST ONE -- I HAVE LOOKED AT THIS 1000 TIMES.

THE TWO WITHOUT THE MOTION I THINK WERE POOR CONCENTRATION.

YOU JUST CATCH THE FOOTBALL.

IT WAS WEIRD HOW THAT ONE SHORT MOTION, YOU SEE THE BUNCH, THE LITTLE THREE BY TO THE OTHER SIDE.

THE GUY'S GONNA MOTION ACROSS AND HE'S EITHER GONNA KICK OUT OR HE'S GONNA WRAP AND THEY'RE GOING TO RUN ZONE.

IT IS CALLED DUO CONCEPT.

I AM THINKING IT WAS NEVER QUITE RIGHT.

>> TIMING WISE.

>> URBAN HAD THE LONG RUN AND THEY TRIED TO COME BACK AND RUN IT AGAIN AND THEY DID NOT GIVE BULLOCK ENOUGH TIME TO GET ACROSS THE FORMATION SO HE COULDN'T BE A BLOCKER.

THE WHOLE SNAP THING WAS DISJOINTED.

I FELT LIKE, I WENT BACK AND WATCHED BECAUSE PEOPLE ASKED ME REAL TIME ON SOCIAL MEDIA, WHO IS THAT ON?

AND I'M LIKE I'M NOT SURE, RIGHT?

IS HE GIVING HIM A READY CALL?

IS IT ON THE MOTION?

BUT IT WAS DISJOINTED FROM THE JUMP.

REMEMBER, EVEN WHEN YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE OUT OF THE CLEAR THEY CAME BACK AND RAN THE SAME FORMATION AND THE SAME MOTION IN THE SECOND HALF AND IT ALMOST HAPPENED AGAIN.

>> YEAH, IT'S A LOT TO TALK ABOUT AND IT'S A HEARTBREAKING LOSS BUT WE CAN'T DO WITHOUT YOU.

REACH OUT AND HELP TO GUIDE THE CONVERSATION.

OUR CALL ROOM IS UP AND RUNNING MANNED BY OUR SPORTS INTERN.

HELLO, ANNA!

>> HI GUYS.

>> AND THE STUDENTS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA LINCOLN.

THEY'RE JOINING US THROUGHOUT THE SEASON ENJOYING THEIR VALENTINO'S PIZZA, HOPEFULLY NOT MY THIN CRUST, AND TAKING YOUR CALLS.

YOU CAN ALSO TEXT US OR EMAIL YOUR COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS TO BIGRED@NEBRASKAPUBLICMEDIA.ORG.

KEEPING OUR EYES ON SOCIAL MEDIA AS WELL, SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON OUR "BIG RED WRAP-UP" ACCOUNTS AND WE WILL ANSWER AS MANY OF THOSE QUESTIONS AS WE CAN TONIGHT.

ALSO DON'T FORGET TO HEAD OVER TO OUR WEBSITE AND DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY OF THE 2023 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL SCHEDULE POSTER.

YOU CAN PRINT IT OUT AND, OF COURSE, HAVE IT AT HOME AND YOUR OFFICE AND KEEP UP-TO-DATE WITH ALL THE HUSKER FOOTBALL SCORES.

JUST LEAVE OFF THE FIRST TWO.

LAST WEEK WE ASKED YOU WHAT AREA OF THE OFTEN STATED THE MOST IMPROVEMENT FOR COLORADO.

YOU NAILED IT.

SIXTY-TWO PERCENT OF YOU SAID QUARTERBACK, TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT SAID OFFENSIVE LINE AND SEVEN PERCENT SAID RUNNING BACKS, WITH SIX PERCENT FOR WIDE RECEIVERS.

THIS WEEK'S SIDELINE SURVEY IS UPDATED AND READY FOR YOUR VOTE TONIGHT AS WELL.

WHO YOU WANT TO SEE START AT QUARTERBACK ON SATURDAY?

IS IT JEFF SIMS, HEINRICH HAARBERG OR CHUBBA PURDY?

HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE RIGHT NOW TO CAST YOUR VOTE AND CHECK BACK EACH WEEK FOR A BRAND-NEW SURVEY.

SEE THAT'S A TOUGH QUESTION TO EVER ASK, YOU KNOW?

I MEAN, WHAT DO WE TALK ABOUT ALL THE TIME?

QB ONE, ARE THE OTHER GUYS READY?

IT COMES TOWN DOWN TO IF HE'S HEALTHY, THOUGH, RIGHT?

>> HIS ABILITY TO USE HIS LEGS IS IMPORTANT IN THIS OFFENSE.

OBVIOUSLY THE TURNOVERS ARE AN ISSUE,BUT MATT RHULE SAID IT, HE'S OUR STARTING QUARTERBACK.

MY STANCE ON THIS, '‘CAUSE IT'S TRICKY, IT CAN BE SIMPLE OR YOU CAN LOOK AT IT VERY COMPLICATED.

I THINK IT'S HARD BECAUSE YOU WANT THE GUY, HE'S HAD TURNOVER ISSUES AT GEORGIA TECH.

YOU KNOW HE HAS TO -- YOU HAVE TO GET OVER THESE SOMEHOW SOMEWAY.

HE MAY NOT DO IT IN PRACTICE BUT IT SHOWS UP IN GAMES.

SO HOW DO YOU HAVE TO GET OVER IT?

YOU HAVE TO DO IT IN GAMES.

YOU HAVE TO GAIN CONFIDENCE AND YOU HAVE TO GAIN TRUST BY GETTING OVER THESE ISSUES IN GAMES.

GET THE TIME WITH WIDE RECEIVERS, TRUSTING PROTECTION WITH YOUR O-LINE, BEING COMFORTABLE HANDING THE BALL OFF TO MULTIPLE DIFFERENT BACKS.

SO I WANT HIM TO GET OVER THESE ISSUES IN THE GAME, BUT AGAIN, THERE COMES A POINT TO WHERE YOU CAN'T KEEP BANGING YOUR HEAD AGAINST THE WALL AND EXPECTING A DIFFERENT RESULT, RIGHT?

YOU'VE GOT TO SOMETIMES SAY THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND WE HAVE TO TRY SOMEONE ELSE BECAUSE WE HAVE TO GIVE OUR TEAM THE BEST SHOT AT WINNING A FOOTBALL GAME AND YOU CAN'T DO THAT CONTINUALLY BY TURNING THE BALL OVER FOUR TIMES AGAME.

>> ALL I CAN DO IS GO BY HISTORY.

P.J WALKER, 49 GAMES HE PLAYED FROM FOR MATT RHULE.

EVEN WHEN HE STRUGGLED HE LEFT HIM IN THERE.

SAME THING WITH CHARLIE BREWER, 35 GAMES, ONLY THREE YEARS, HE LEFT CHARLIE BREWER IN THERE EVEN WHEN HE STRUGGLED.

IT SEEMS LIKE HE STICKS WITH A GUY.

>> YEAH, I GET THAT, RIGHT?.

THAT'S PART OF WHO HE IS.

HE'S INTO THE RELATIONSHIP BUILDING.

HE IS INTO TRUST.

HE'S INTO -- YOU SAW THE CONVENIENT GEAR HE WORE THE OTHER DAY, 0-0-U, ONE UP US.

THERE IS NO SINGULAR ENTITY, I AM ONE OF MANY.

IT'S ABOUT THE GREATER GOOD.

THAT IS THE SYMBOLIC PART OF THE 0-0-U.

THAT IS HOW HE HAS BUILT THE PROGRAM.

I WAS SAYING THIS MORNING IN AN ANALOGY, I'VE GOT A GOOD BUDDY AND HE SAYS, YOU DON'T GET THIS LIFESTYLE WITHOUT ME IN IT.

WE ARE QUICK TO BE WANNA DISMISSIVE OF JEFF SIMS AND WE SEE THE POLL, RIGHT?

THE TURNOVERS, THE TURNOVERS!

BUT YOU TAKE AWAY A LOT OF THE POSITIVE PLAYS THAT HE DOES.

I GET THE SUBSTITUTION DEAL, YOU DON'T GET THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT OF HE HAS HAD A HAND AND EVERY ONE OF YOUR CHUNK PLAYS THAT YOU'VE MADE THIS YEAR.

SO I THINK THE COACHES KNOW THAT IN THE PLAYERS DO AS WELL.

AGAIN, YOU DO NOT GET THE PROS AND JUST GET RID OF THE CONS.

>> WE WERE WATCHING ONE OF THE BIG PLAYS HE HAD.

BLOCKED WELL.

>> THAT WAS WELL-EXECUTED.

THAT WAS REALLY WELL-EXECUTED.

YOU'VE GOT MAN-TO-MAN COVERAGE, YOU HAD A LITTLE DOUBLE FIT.

SAFETY SPIED, A LITTLE LOOK IN ROUTE.

>> THERE SO MUCH MORE THAT GOES INTO IT.

THE QUARTERBACK IS IN FULL CONTROL OF THIS OFFENSE.

YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR GUYS IN AND OUT OF THE HUDDLE, COMMUNICATION WITH THE OFFENSIVE LINE, COMMUNICATION WITH THE RUNNING BACK, SEEING THE PROTECTIONS AND KNOWING WHAT YOU ARE SEEING IN COVERAGE SO YOU'RE WORKING WITH YOUR WIDE RECEIVERS.

THAT'S A BIG PART OF IT, TOO.

WHETHER HAARBERG OR PURDY HAS THAT SAME CAPABILITY, I DON'T KNOW.

THERE'S JUST SO MUCH TO IT.

I KNOW PEOPLE ARE LIKE, "ANTHONY GRANT FUMBLED, WE DIDN'T SEE HIM AT ALL."

>> THERE'S ALSO TWO OTHER RUNNING BACKS.

>> IT IS APPLES TO ORANGES.

THAT'S NOT A GOOD COMPARISON.

IT'S NOT A FAIR COMPARISON AT ALL.

>> I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY PEOPLE SAY THAT.

IT IS NOT THE SAME THING AND THERE IS NO HYPOCRISY.

THE LOCKER ROOM UNDERSTANDS WHAT HAPPENS WITH QUARTERBACKS VERSUS ANY OTHER POSITION ON THE FIELD.

YOU EVER HEAR OF PEOPLE SAY IF YOU HAVE TWO RUNNING BACKS YOU DON'T HAVE ONE?

HEY, YOU HAVE TWO OFFENSIVE TACKLES YOU DON'T HAVE ONE.

YOU KNOW WHO THEY SAY THAT ABOUT?

>> QUARTERBACK.

>> THEY SAY THAT ABOUT QUARTERBACKS.

SO GIVEN WHAT THE POSITION IS, YOU TOLD ME THIS FOR YEARS, YOU AND I WOULD GO BACK AND FORTH AND YOU WOULD TELL ME YOU'VE GOT TO TREAT QUARTERBACKS DIFFERENTLY.

AND I'M LIKE, IT TOOK ME FOUR OR FIVE YEARS TO COME AROUND.

THEY'RE JUST DIFFERENT.

THEY'RE HELD TO A DIFFERENT STANDARD, SO THEREFORE THEY GET DIFFERENT LUXURIES.

IT'S THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS.

>> WHAT ABOUT, THOUGH, I UNDERSTAND THE TURNOVERS BUT DECISION-MAKING?

HIM GOING OUT OF BOUNDS AT THE END OF THE FIRST HALF, I CALL THAT A MADDEN PLAY.

YOUR NINE-YEAR-OLD, YOUR TEN-YEAR-OLD DOESN'T DO THAT ON THE GAME.

HE KNOWS.

HE KNOWS YOU CANNOT GO OUT OF BOUNDS, YOU'VE GOT TO GET DOWN.

YOU CAN'T GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO HAVE ANOTHER TIMEOUT.

>> SITUATIONAL AWARENESS, I UNDERSTAND.

BUT I DO THINK THERE IS A SENSE OF OWNERSHIP IN WHAT COMES NATURAL TO PEOPLE VERSUS PRACTICING THE SITUATION.

YOU'RE TAUGHT, YOU KNOW, LISTEN, I AM FIGHTING, I AM FIGHTING I WANT TO BE SMART.

I HAVE PROBABLY BEEN TOLD, HEY, GET DOWN OR GET OUT OF BOUNDS.

SAME AS A DROPPED SNAP, I DON'T GET ON THE SNAP BECAUSE WHAT THEY TELL ME PRACTICE?

GET AWAY FROM THE BALL.

I MEAN, YES AND NO.

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT SEEM REAL COMMON SENSE BUT WHEN YOU DON'T REP IT, I THINK SITUATIONAL AWARENESS SNEAKS UP ON PEOPLE.

THOSE WHO ARE GOOD AT IT, YOU SEE THEM PERSEVERE.

I ALWAYS TRY TO TELL PEOPLE, ASK YOURSELF WHERE AM I AND WHAT AM I DOING?

BECAUSE TAKING SELF INVENTORY IN REAL-TIME IS NOT NATURAL FOR MOST OF US.

>> I WONDER WHAT THE CONVERSATION WAS DURING THAT DRIVE.

I'M SURE THEY WERE SAYING "LOOK, WE DON'T WANT TO GIVE THEM THE BALL BACK.

WE'D LIKE TO GET A FIRST DOWN AND GET GOING BUT WE CANNOT GIVE THEM THE BALL BACK WITH A LOT OF TIME LEFT."

>> WE'RE REFERENCING THE DRIVE RIGHT BEFORE THE HALF.

>> RIGHT BEFORE THE HALF WHERE HE GOES OUT OF BOUNDS.

>> DO YOU GUYS THINK WE'RE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION IF YOU DON'T KICK THE BALL 20 YARDS?

>> THAT WAS A BIG PART OF IT.

YEAH, THAT WAS A BIG PART OF IT, YES.

THEY STARTED TO MOVE THE BALL BETTER BUT CERTAINLY THE PUNTER HAS A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY.

>> THEY ARE STARTING AT THE 37 YARD LINE AS OPPOSED TO INSIDE THEIR 20, IT'S NOT AS MAGNIFIED.

>> CERTAINLY HAD A BAD DAY.

>> IT'S THE ULTIMATE TEAM SPORT.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT SOMETHING YOU KNOW WELL.

THEY GOT 11 SACKS, THEY GOT SIXTEEN TACKLES FOR A LOSS OF MINUS-90 YARDS.

THEY ARE AT THE TOP OF EVERY STAT DEFENSIVELY WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING AFTER THAT.

>> YEAH, PLEASANTLY SURPRISED.

I THOUGHT THIS DEFENSE WAS -- I DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT FOR THE 3-3-5, BUT I TELL YOU WHAT, IT IS A THING OF BEAUTY WHEN YOU WATCH IT.

THEY DO A GOOD JOB OF JUST FORCING EVERYTHING INSIDE OUT.

>> HOW ABOUT THE UNDERNEATH COVERAGE?

>> YES.

>> THE TACKLING.

>> WHO IS GETTING TO THE FACE OF TWO, WHO IS WORKING TWO TO ONE?

IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

>> I JUST KNOW THAT 4th DOWN PLAY WHERE THEY BROUGHT THAT JET SWEEP LOOK AND THEY HAD A GUY JUST FILLS.

BOOM, FILL THERE.

>> YEAH, HE FIT INTO THAT BLITZ.

>> THEN THE GUY FROM THE CORNER, THAT'S PERFECT.

THAT'S A THING OF BEAUTY.

IT'S THE DEFENSIVE LINE PLAYING WELL, CREATING A PASS RUSH AND PLAYING WITH GOOD EYE DISCIPLINE.

YOU SEE A LOT OF THAT.

AND COMMUNICATION, IT WAS REALLY WAS FUN TO WATCH.

AND FOR A GUY WHO DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT, WHAT THEY WERE ABLE TO DO AND CREATE AND GET IN SITUATIONS, MAN, IT'S A THING OF BEAUTY RIGHT NOW.

>> ALSO EIGHTH IN THE COUNTRY IN RUSH DEFENSE, GIVING UP 1.95 YARDS A RUSH.

ONLY 113 TOTAL YARDS.

>> THEY'RE GONNA BE HARD TO MOVE THE BALL AGAINST AND I THINK A LOT OF IT IS THAT THEY UNDERSTAND FULLY WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

WHEN YOU GET MULTIPLE HELMETS TO THE BALL ALL THE TIME, YOU PROBABLY HAVE A GOOD IDEA WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH PHILOSOPHICALLY.

YOU GET NINE, TEN HATS TO THE BALL, GUYS BUST THEIR HUMP TO GET TO THE PLAYS, IT WAS ALMOST THE ANTI-TCU.

AND AS WE WERE TALKING KIND OF OFF-AIR, THE THREE BIG CHUNK WAYS THAT CAME IN THE PASSING GAME, THE OVER ROUTE, THAT WAS NICE WHERE HE WENT FROM HASH.

THAT WAS A GOOD THROW BY SANDERS.

WE FELL ASLEEP ON A MAX PRESSURE.

AND YOU'RE TRAILING A GUY ON A THE CROSSING ROUTE WHERE IT'S LIKE IF I CAN CONTROL THE CONTROLLABLES I LIKE WHAT THE REST OF WHAT WE'RE DOING.

I THINK THAT'S WHERE YOU WANT TO BE.

I NEVER WANT TO BE OUTMATCHED.

I ALWAYS WANT TO HAVE A CHANCE TO DO BETTER AND FIX WHAT I DID WRONG.

>> I KNOW YOU WANT TO PLAY EVERY DOWN I'M SURE WHEN YOU WERE A PLAYER.

BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE ROTATION?

THEY ARE PLAYING A LOT OF GUYS.

20 GUYS GETTING TACKLES.

>> I'M OKAY WITH THAT.

I THINK IT'S GREAT.

I THINK YOU'VE GOT TO BUILD DEPTH, I LOVED IT.

HERE'S THE THING IS, YOU'RE PLAYING A LOT OF FRESHMAN.

CAM LENHARDT, YOU JUST GO DOWN, THERE ARE THREE OR FOUR GUYS AS TRUE FRESHMEN WHO ARE PLAYING.

>> VAN POPPEL PLAYED.

>> YOU HAVE VAN POPPEL.

>> KAI WALLIN PLAYED.

>> EVERYBODY PLAYED.

KOBY BRETZ HAD A TACKLE.

>> HEY, BRETZ IS COMING.

>> YOU HAVE TO HAVE THAT.

YOU HAVE TO DEVELOP DEPTH, YOU HAVE TO BUILD THIS PROGRAM UP.

YOU HAVE TO START FROM THE FOUNDATION AND PLAY THOSE YOUNG GUYS.

GET THEM SOME LIVE BALL REPS AND SAY HEY, WE TRUST YOU.

I THINK THE GREATEST THING ABOUT THIS DEFENSE IS THEY JUST LOOK TO BE IN CONTROL.

THEY'RE NEVER OUT OF CONTROL.

I ALWAYS REMINDED THE JOHN WOODEN QUOTE, BE QUICK BUT NOT IN A HURRY.

IT JUST SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE IS IN CONTROL.

>> -- THEY PLAYS A LOT LIKE HIS PERSONALITY.

>> ALWAYS BE IN GOOD POSITION TO MAKE A TACKLE, TO DO SOMETHING.

THERE'S NO PANIC.

>> HIS MENTOR WAS THE EXACT SAME.

ROCKY LONG WAS THE EXACT SAME.

>> NEVER ANY PANIC.

IT'S A PLEASURE TO WATCH.

>> IT'S GOOD, IT'S FUN TO WATCH SOMETHING, ALTHOUGH THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO DO ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE BALL AS WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT SATURDAY'S DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCE PROVIDED FANS WITH SOME HOPE FOR THE PROGRAM.

LET'S DIVE INTO THE HIGHLIGHTS AS WE TAKE YOU TO THE GAME IN BOULDER.

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN BOULDER AND IT WAS HYPED IN THE STADIUM.

I HAVEN'T FELT THAT KIND OF FEELING SINCE OHIO STATE 2012.

COMING ON OUT, LAST WEEK NEBRASKA HAD 14 TOTAL YARDS AFTER THE CATCH, RACK.

ON THE FIRST TWO PLACES THEY HAD 24.

THAT LOOKS GOOD.

THIS IS HOW TO CLOSE A BOOK.

>> ABSOLUTELY, TALL IN THE POCKET, DELIVERING THE BALL ON TIME AND LIKE I TELL PEOPLE, CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF HE IS CAPABLE OF MAKING ALL THE THROWS.

>> HE CAN MAKE THROWS, BUT OF COURSE HERE HE TRIES TO PICK IT UP, HE CANNOT GET TO IT AND HE SLIPS ON THE TURF.

IT WAS A TOUGH TURF.

THAT NATURAL GRASS IS NOT GREAT TO GET AROUND, A LOT OF GUYS WERE SLIPPING SO THAT LEADS TO THAT.

BUT THE DEFENSE STANDS UP, THOUGH.

THE DEFENSE STOOD UP FOR MOST THE FIRST HALF, GETTING THE SACKS.

WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE FRESHMAN, DAMON?

>> I LIKE HIM A TON.

HE IS PROBABLY THE MORE PHYSICAL OF THE TWO BETWEEN HE AND PRINCEWILL.

PRINCEWILL MAY -- THIS IS KIND OF SCARY.

PRINCEWILL MAY HAVE THE HIGHER UPS, THE HIGHER CEILING BUT CAM IS MORE READY TO GO.

>> WHEN GABE ERVIN GETS GOING HE LOOKS GOOD IN OPEN FIELD.

>> VERY MUCH SO.

SIMILAR PLAY CALLS HERE, BUT THEY USE THIS RUN SCHEME MULTIPLE TIMES AND HE GOT GOING.

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO FINISH OFF THESE DRIVES, OBVIOUSLY.

>> GABE ENDED UP HAVING 17 CARRIES FOR 74 YARDS ON THE DAY.

AND THEN THIS HAPPENED.

THIS IS WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, THE TIMING.

>> YEAH, IT WAS DISJOINTED ALL AFTERNOON AND THAT IS SOMETHING THEY HAVE TO SHORE UP.

WE SAW IT REPEATEDLY.

>> THIS WAS TOUGH, IT WAS KIND OF HEARTBREAKING.

TRISTAN ALVANO, WE ALL WANT TO SEE HIM MAKE IT AND THE OFFENSE FINALLY GOT SOMETHING GOING.

YOU TIE IT THERE, OR COULD GET THE LEAD THERE AND MAYBE IT'S DIFFERENT FEELING.

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

THEN THIS HAPPENS ON OFFENSE THE NEXT TIME AROUND AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU'RE IN A DOGFIGHT.

>> AGAIN THE DEFENSE THOUGH, STEPS UP.

THE OPEN FIELD TACKLING IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN IT WAS THE START OF LAST YEAR.

>> WHEN YOU ARE IN GOOD POSITION YOU CAN MAKE THOSE KIND OF TACKLES.

>> CORCORAN HAD A HUGE DAY, HE WAS 31 OF 42 FOR 394 YARDS, HE IS A HEISMAN CONTENDER.

I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE GOING TO WIN ENOUGH FOR THAT, BUT HE CERTAINLY PLAYED WELL.

THEY GET THE FIELD GOAL TO GO UP 3-0.

BUT BACK HERE, THIS IS AGAIN, KIND OF A LACK OF CONCENTRATION?

>> YEAH, YOU CAN'T -- THIS ONE YOU GOT TO PROBABLY EAT IT OR JUST RUN IT OUT OF BOUNDS.

IN THIS SITUATION.

YOU CANNOT FORCE IT GREAT YOU JUST HAVE TO LEARN YOUR LESSON.

KNOW WHEN THE CARDS ARE STACKED AGAINST YOU.

>> COACH CALLED THAT CROSS COUNTRY THERE.

>> IT IS UNBELIEVABLE HOW HE COMES FROM THE FAR HASH TO THE NEAR HASH AND HE DROPPED IT IN THE BUCKET.

>> HE DID AND WE KNOW THEY'VE GOT A LOT OF SPEED AND A LOT TALENT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD.

TRAVIS HUNTER IS A SPECIAL TALENT.

>> THEY JUST MAKE PEOPLE MISS RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM.

>> HE REALLY IS.

THEY BROUGHT HIM A LITTLE BIT BACK TO EARTH -- >> YEAH.

>> LAST WEEK AGAINST TCU, BUT HE IS STILL A GREAT PLAYER.

>> THERE WERE A COUPLE OF PLAYS, ON THOSE TUNNEL SCREENS AND CROSSING ROUTES WHERE AGAINST TCU THOSE GUYS SCORED.

NEBRASKA MADE TACKLES.

GOING INTO HALFTIME 13-0 AND YOU DO NOT FEEL LIKE YOU'RE IN A BAD SPOT.

>> NO.

>> BECAUSE YOU'VE BEEN MAKING SOME PLAYS, AND NEBRASKA COMES OUT.

THEY FEEL PRETTY GOOD EARLY ON.

THIS IS A REALLY GOOD THROW ON THE RUN.

>> YEAH, A GOOD THROWING CATCH.

AGAIN CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF THERE WERE RECEIVERS RUNNING OPEN.

SEPARATION -- THEY DID OKAY.

TWO DIFFERENT DEFENDERS WENT WITH RAHMIR JOHNSON WHEN HE WENT IN MOTION THERE.

>> YEAH, AND MAN TO MAN, YOU KNOW, YOU GOT TO BUMP A LITTLE BIT AND YOU'RE JUST TRYING TO LEVERAGE THE BALL, NOT TO BLOCK AND THAT ONE RIGHT THERE, THE BACKSIDE FREE SAFETY CHECKING THAT NUMBER ONE RECEIVER TO THE SINGLE RECEIVER SIDE KIND OF COST THEM.

>> YEAH, TEN CARRIES 57 YARDS TO THE TOUCHDOWN FOR JEFF SIMS THERE.

SANDERS IS THE KIND OF GUY TO HAVE.

THIS IS THE ALL-OUT BLITZ -- >> YEAH.

>> -- AND FOR SOME REASON.

>> YEAH, TOMMI HILL WAS NOT ON THE SAME PAGE AS EVERYONE ELSE.

ZERO BLITZ, HE'S GOT -- HE'S A MAN TO MAN SITUATION, HE WAS IN A CATCH -- THERE, LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO PASS IT OFF.

JUST NOT GOOD EXECUTION.

>> AGAIN AND AS A -- I MEAN THERE'S A REASON WHY HE WAS BENCHED LAST YEAR AND NOW OF COURSE HE'S GAINED SOME TIME NOW.

>> THAT THROW RIGHT THERE WAS MUCH TOUGHER THAN IT LOOKED ON TELEVISION.

HE'S IN ESSENCE THROWING THIS DOWN A HALLWAY LEADING HIS RECEIVER.

>> AND WHILE GOING TO HIS LEFT.

SQUARING HIS SHOULDERS AND GETTING IT DONE.

HERE'S ONE OF THE BETTER RUNNING PLAYS.

THEY ACTUALLY HAD TO GO TO THAT DELAY, YOU KNOW, COASTAL CAROLINA RUNS AND WAKE FOREST RUNS TO GET THE RUNNING GAME GOING BECAUSE NEBRASKA WAS SHUTTING IT DOWN.

>> SHEDEUR SANDERS AGAIN, THIS ONE JUST BARELY OVER THE COVERAGE.

>> AGAIN -- >> IT'S A BIG BOY THROW.

>> BUT HEY THE DEFENSE GOT TO STEP AND START MAKING SOME OF THESE TURNOVERS -- >> STOOD UP AGAIN.

>> -- OR MAKE SOME PICKS IN THOSE SITUATIONS.

>> THAT'S 23-7, NEBRASKA COULD EASILY BE 23-14 IF BULLOCK CATCHES THE BALL, YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT HAPPENS.

>> YEAH, IT COULD HAVE DEFINITELY BEEN A DIFFERENT STORY THERE AND HERE'S THE FUMBLE, GABE ERVIN ENDS UP GETTING THE CREDIT FOR THE FUMBLE IF YOU LOOK AT THE STATS.

HE GETS CREDIT FOR THE FUMBLE SO THAT'S ONE ON HIM.

AND -- >> I DIDN'T LIKE -- I DIDN'T LIKE THE TELEVISION EXPLANATION OF THIS EITHER.

>> YEAH -- I WAS WANTING TO ASK YOU ABOUT THAT.

>> I SEEN IT -- >> YOU SAID IT WAS ON SIMS.

>> YEAH, THAT'S NOT ON SIMS.

>> YEAH.

>> AND IT DIDN'T -- IT DIDN'T GET PUT ON -- >> THAT'S NOT ON SIMS AT ALL.

>> HERE THEY GO AGAIN RUNNING THAT DELAY INSIDE TO GET A GOOD RUN AT HANKERSON FOR 14 YARDS AND THEN THIS IS THE DOUBLE REVERSE.

THIS IS THEIR SKILL POSITIONS.

>> YEAH, WOULD YOU PLAY THIS COMING INSIDE ON THAT TECHNIQUE IF YOU'RE IN THAT FIVE ON THE OTHER SIDE, OR WOULD YOU TRY TO GET VERTICAL AND KEEP IT INSIDE?

>> IT'S -- I'D PROBABLY GET VERTICAL AND TRY TO KEEP IT INSIDE.

>> YEAH.

>> SEEMED LIKE HE GAMBLED AND CAME UP EMPTY.

>> THAT MADE IT 29-7, OF COURSE THEY TRIED TO GO FOR TWO.

THE TWO POINT GOT CALLED BACK.

SANDERS MAKES THE COMPLETE PASS HERE.

THIS IS WHEN THE DEFENSE IS REALLY EXHAUSTED.

>> YEAH, THEY'RE GAS -- >> THEY'RE GASSED HERE.

>> I'M SURE YOUR EMOTIONS AREN'T REALLY IN CHECK EITHER.

>> YEAH, THAT ELEVATION IS DEFINITELY GETTING TO THEM RIGHT NOW.

>> NO DOUBT.

SHEDEUR SANDERS RUNS THIS ONE IN TO MAKE IT 36-7.

THIS IS WHEN HIS DAD SAID HE SHOULD BE A HEISMAN TROPHY CANDIDATE AFTER MAKING THAT PLAY THERE.

BUT NEBRASKA DOES GET A STOP.

THEY FORCE A FUMBLE.

RAHMIR JOHNSON SHOWS WHAT HE CAN DO ON THE OPEN FIELD.

>> YEAH, ONE AND GO, PUT YOUR FOOT IN THE DIRT AND SEE OUT OF THE BACK GATE AND WEAVING HIS WAY DOWN THE FIELD.

THAT'S AN IMPRESSIVE RUN.

HE NEEDS MORE -- A FEW MORE TOUCHES.

>> 44 YARDS THERE AND THEN THE TOUCHDOWN PASS, CONGRATULATIONS.

THOMAS FIDONE GETS HIS FIRST TOUCHDOWN ON THE SEASON AND OF HIS CAREER.

>> YEAH, HE WAS IMPROMPTU, YOU KNOW, HE HAD THE PROCEDURE PENALTY, YOU KNOW, EARLIER ON THE OTHER END AND HE WANTED TO MAKE UP FOR IT.

HE HASN'T PLAYED FOOTBALL -- MEANINGFUL FOOTBALL IN THREE YEARS.

HE'S STILL COMING.

>> GO TO THE FINAL STATS.

YOU SEE WHAT NEBRASKA DID ON THE GROUND.

I THOUGHT THEY'D EVEN GET MORE THAN THAT.

DID A REALLY GOOD JOB OF SLOWING DOWN.

>> NEED MORE SNAPS.

>> THEY DO, THEY NEED MORE SNAPS, THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

AND THEY LOST THREE DRIVES -- QUICK DRIVES TO TURNOVERS SO THAT HAPPENS AND YOU SEE IT.

FOUR TURNOVERS TO ONE, THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE IN THE GAME RIGHT THERE.

>> OOF.

>> LET'S GO TO THE PLAYERS OF THE GAME.

OUR PLAYERS OF THE GAME AGAINST COLORADO ARE CAM LENHARDT, THE FRESHMAN AND LUKE REIMER, WHO -- I THINK HE WAS ONE OF OUR PLAYERS OF THE GAME LIKE SIX OR SEVEN TIMES LAST TIME.

LUKE FOR HIS OVERALL PERFORMANCE AND CAM FOR BEING THE FIRST TRUE FRESHMAN TO RECORD TWO SACKS IN A GAME SINCE BARRY TURNER AGAINST BAYLOR IN 2005.

WE KNOW HOW GOOD BARRY TURNER WAS AS A FRESHMAN.

>> HE WAS.

HE WAS REALLY GOOD.

>> HE WAS REALLY GOOD, NO DOUBT.

>> FREAKY.

>> NEXT UP ON THE SHOW, WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT SOCIAL MEDIA FROM THE WEEKEND, BREAK DOWN A COUPLE PLAYS IN THE HUDDLE WITH JAY MOORE AND BE JOINED ON THE SET BY FORMER BLACK SHIRT AND NFL LINEBACKER JAY FOREMAN.

AS WE GO TO BREAK, CHECK OUT THE SIGHTS FROM SATURDAY'S PACKED STADIUM IN BOULDER COURTESY OF HURRDAT SPORTS.

STAY WITH US, WE'RE BACK SOON.

♪ ♪ ♪ >> WELCOME BACK TO "BIG RED WRAP UP."

I'M JOINED BY NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA SPORTS INTERN, HANNAH.

HANNAH NUMBER TWO IS WHAT I'M GOING TO CALL YOU FROM NOW ON SO WE DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THAT.

WHAT DID WE SEE ON SOCIAL MEDIA THIS WEEKEND?

>> SO THIS WEEKEND WE GOT A POST FROM LINCOLNLOGS, "LIVE LOOK AT THE NEBRASKA VERSUS COLORADO GAME."

YOU HAVE THIS PHOTO, A LOT OF FLAGS FROM ALL THE PENALTIES THAT HAPPENED OVER THE GAME.

>> YEAH, RIGHT.

>> AND THEN THE SECOND ONE WE GOT IS FROM BOB OFF OF FACEBOOK.

HIS STATEMENT IS "SUGGESTION, SCRAP HUSKER FOOTBALL, PUT A DOME ON MEMORIAL STADIUM, AND MOVE THE VOLLEYBALL TEAM IN THERE.

YEAH, I SAID IT OUT LOUD."

AND THIS GOES TO SHOW HOW SUCCESSFUL VOLLEYBALL IS BEING IN THE STATE OF NEBRASKA.

>> EXACTLY.

TURN IT TO THE GOOD WAY, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

>> WE WANT TO SEE SOME WINNING VOLLEYBALL.

HANNAH WE APPRECIATE IT, THANKS A LOT.

WE'LL CATCH UP WITH HER NEXT WEEK, BUT LET'S TAKE A SECOND TO HEAR FROM PLAYERS AND COACHES FOLLOWING THE LOSS.

♪ >> WE'RE LEARNING HOW TO WIN.

IT'S PAINFUL RIGHT NOW.

IT'S PAINFUL.

IT'S PAINFUL.

IT'S PAINFUL.

I GET IT EVERYONE, IT'S PAINFUL, BUT WE'RE NEVER GOING TO WASTE A CRISIS, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

WE'RE NOT GOING TO WASTE -- WE'RE NOT GOING TO WASTE THESE LOSSES LIKE WE'RE -- WE'RE GOING TO LEARN FROM IT.

>> YOU KNOW, EXECUTE.

EXECUTE IS THE BIGGEST WORD FOR THIS OFFENSE.

WE HAVE TO EXECUTE, YOU KNOW, DO OUR JOB.

DO OUR JOB TO THE FULLEST AND, YOU KNOW, LET EVERYTHING TAKES FIRST.

SO YOU KNOW, PLAY FREE.

WE JUST HAVE TO PLAY FREE, YOU KNOW, AND EXECUTE THE JOB.

>> THIS IS KIND OF WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU HIRE ME, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING, LIKE THIS IS WHAT YOU KIND OF GET, LIKE -- IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A QUICK FIX.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE OVERNIGHT.

IT'S GOING TO BE -- WE BELIEVE BUILT TO LAST.

IT'S GOING TO BE BUILT ON ROCK.

>> YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU MAKE MISTAKES, IT'S MOVING ON TO SAYING "WHAT'S NEXT?"

AND COACH RHULE INTRODUCED THAT TO US, THAT'S WHY YOU SEE IT EVERYWHERE, "WHAT'S NEXT?"

AND I STARTED TO BELIEVE IN THAT AND, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE MISTAKES AND THE BEST THING TO DO IS GROW AND LEARN FROM IT AND JUST CONTINUE TO ELEVATE, YOU KNOW?

AND THAT'S JUST SOMETHING COACH RHULE BEEN HELPING US WITH.

>> SO I KNOW, LIKE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE LIKE -- I BELIEVE IT LIKE 100% IN MY HEART THAT, YOU KNOW, IF WE JUST KEEP TRUSTING THIS PROCESS, LIKE, IT'S GOING -- IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> I THINK THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE A CHANCE TO BE A GOOD TEAM AND IT STARTS THIS WEEK FOR US COMING BACK HOME.

SO WE'RE EXCITED TO PLAY AT HOME, EXCITED TO PLAY IN FRONT OF THE HOME FANS AND I'M EXCITED TO WATCH THEM DO THAT.

>> WE'RE PLEASED NOW TO BE JOINED BY FORMER BLACK SHIRT, NFL LINEBACKER AS WELL, JAY FOREMAN.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> YEAH, THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> JAY, IS THERE STILL A FEELING WHEN YOU SEE NEBRASKA LOSE TO COLORADO, COLORADO SPECIFICALLY, THAT GETS INTO YOUR BLACK SHIRT HEART A LITTLE BIT?

>> I HATE IT FOR THE KIDS.

I MEAN, I NEVER LOST TO THEM, SO -- I ALWAYS SAY WE HAD SOME GOOD REAL ESTATE UP THERE, BUT -- >> YEAH.

>> -- IT'S TOUGH, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE -- LOOK, THEY -- THEY GOT THEIR SKILL POSITION GUYS, ALL OF THEM ARE DRAFTABLE GUYS AND A LOT OF THEM ARE GOING TO GO FIRST ROUND, SO, YOU KNOW, IT KEEPS YOU IN THE GAME.

>> YEAH.

>> YEAH, IT BUGS ME.

>> I BET.

I BET IT DOES THEY DON'T LIKE -- THEY DON'T LIKE NEBRASKA AT ALL.

>> NO, THEY DON'T AND THEY WEREN'T -- THEY -- IT WAS -- THERE WAS NO LOVE LOST, YOU REMEMBER THOSE SCOUT TEAM WEEKS?

>> YEAH.

>> WHERE EVEN THE SCOUT TEAM WOULD PUT THE BUFFALO EMBLEMS ON THEIR HELMET AND THEY DIDN'T BEAT US EITHER, SO -- YOU KNOW, IT WAS ALWAYS PERSONAL.

WE HELD THEM TO 0 FOR ON THIRD DOWN ONE YEAR.

>> NICE.

>> I REMEMBER ANOTHER YEAR KORDELL MISSED HIS FIRST 15, 16 PASSES.

>> YEP.

>> YEP.

>> I ENJOY SEEING IT.

>> THEY GOT -- ON THE ONE GUY, THEY GOT US A COUPLE TIMES, BUT HEY I FINISHED OUT ON A STRONG NOTE.

>> HEY, LOOK -- >> THAT 2005 SEASON THOUGH -- >> YEAH, THAT WAS -- RESTORE THE ORDER.

>> YEAH.

>> I WANTED ONE OF THOSE T-SHIRTS.

>> YEAH -- THE STUDENTS ACTUALLY GETTING KICKED OUT AND THEN WE GOT -- >> 33-3?

>> 30-3, THEY CAME OUT -- >> 30-3.

>> -- THEY CAME OUT AND SCORED A FIELD GOAL ON THEIR OPENING DRIVE AND THEY COULDN'T -- THEY DIDN'T SNIFF ANYTHING THE REST OF THE GAME.

>> THEY WERE -- STUDENT SECTION WAS IN A GAS OR GO SITUATION -- >> THEY HAD TO LEAVE.

>> THEY GOT KICKED OUT.

THIRD QUARTER.

>> THEY WERE THROWING IN -- >> THEN BARNETT WAS LET GO AND THEN HAWKINS FROM BOISE STATE WOULD COME IN AND THEN WE GOT THEM AGAIN THE NEXT YEAR.

THAT'S RIGHT.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS DEFENSE?

I MEAN THEY ARE ACTUALLY SHOWING OUT.

>> YEAH, I LIKE IT, I MEAN YOU GIVE CREDIT TO TONY WHITE AND COMPANY, THEY, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU WATCH THEM, THEY RUN MULTIPLE FRONTS, MULTIPLE PERSONNEL IN THERE.

I'M A BIG BELIEVER I THINK WITH THE 3-3-5 HAS ACTUALLY EXPANDED THEIR DEFENSIVE ROSTER SO YOU GET GUYS THAT LAST YEAR WOULDN'T EVEN BE ON THE TRAVEL ROSTER OUT THERE MAKING PLAYS, YOU KNOW, JAVIN WRIGHT AND GILBERT, THOSE GUYS THAT YOU NEVER THOUGHT OF BEFORE THE SEASON.

SO I THINK THEY'VE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB OF IMPLEMENTING, BUT EVEN A BETTER JOB OF TEACHING IT.

AND THEN OBVIOUSLY THE PLAYERS ARE INSPIRED BOTH BY THE -- AND THE OPPORTUNITY AND THEY'RE PLAYING REALLY WELL.

THEY -- THEY DON'T LOOK LIKE A, JUST RUN AROUND AND SEE WHAT WE CAN FIND, THEY ARE VERY DISCIPLINED.

I LIKED -- I HEARD YOU GUYS TALKING ABOUT, I LIKED HOW THEY RUN A LITTLE BIT OF A MATCHUP ZONE, SO IT HELPS YOU AGAINST A HIGHLY SKILLED OFFENSE LIKE COLORADO AND THEY -- THEY -- THEY LOOK LIKE THEY HAVE A GOOD GAME PLAN.

AND -- AND THAT'S SOMETHING TO HANG YOUR HAT ON.

I MEAN, IT'S APPEALING.

I MEAN, I'M LOOKING OUT THERE LOOKING AT THEM LINEBACKERS NOT GETTING BLOCKED, I'M LIKE -- HEY -- YOU KNOW, HEY -- I BE OUT HERE -- YOU MIGHT THINK I'M RAY LEWIS OR SOMETHING OUT THERE, YOU KNOW?

SO IT COULD BE ABOUT 20 OR 30 MORE TACKLES TO MY CAREER TOTAL.

>> DID YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS WITH THE 3-3-5 BEFORE -- BEFORE THE SEASON?

AND IF SO, HAVE THOSE CONCERNS BEEN KIND OF WASHED AWAY NOW?

>> LITTLE BIT JUST BECAUSE OF WHAT WE LOST ACROSS THE DEFENSIVE LINE, SO WHEN YOU HEAR THREE -- BUT WHEN I STUDIED TONY WHITE FROM SYRACUSE AND I KNOW BRIAN STEWART THAT WAS THERE BEFORE ASKED HIM AND WATCHED FOUR GAMES.

I ALWAYS DEFINITELY KNEW WE WERE GOING TO BE IN GOOD HANDS AND LOOK, LAST YEAR AT SYRACUSE THEY HAD A 200 AND LIKE 60 POUND NOSE GUARD AND -- >> HE PLAYS OUT CONFERENCE.

>> -- AND HE PUNCHED A HOLE IN THE DEFENSE.

SO HE FIT IT -- HE FIT HIS 3-3-5 TO THE PERSONNEL SO I FELT LIKE HE WOULD BE GOOD HERE AND, YOU KNOW, HIS ASSISTANT COACHES HAVE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB.

THEY'VE -- THEY'VE MADE HAY WITH FRESHMAN, GUYS THAT HAVEN'T PLAYED INTERIOR BEFORE AND TAUGHT THEM NEW TECHNIQUES AND IT'S ALL WORKED AND THEY PLAY WITH GOOD LEVERAGE, RIGHT?

GOOD HANDS.

AND THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

>> THE BIG THING ABOUT BEING A COACH, OBVIOUSLY YOU GOTTA TEACH, BUT GET THE BEST OUT OF THAT PERSON.

YOU MENTIONED MIKAI GBAYOR, YOU SAW THAT IN HIGH SCHOOL?

WE HADN'T SEEN ANY OF THAT.

>> YEAH.

>> YEAH.

>> HE'S FLYING AROUND -- FLYING AROUND THE FIELD.

>> YEAH, YOU COULD TELL, I KNEW JAY WAS GOING TO LIGHT UP OVER THE PERSONNEL BECAUSE I THINK FOR FOUR YEARS HE'S BEEN IN MY EAR ABOUT DEVELOPMENT AND HOW CAN YOU NOT GET TEN OR 12 PLAYS OUT OF PLAYER X -- >> YEAH.

>> -- RIGHT?

AND SO I HAD A FEELING YOU -- YOU WOULD BE HAPPY ABOUT GETTING MULTIPLE GUYS ON THE FIELD BECAUSE HE'S LIKE, YOU KNOW, SITUATIONALLY IF YOU'RE DEVELOPING, YOU'VE GOT -- EVERYBODY'S GOTTA BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE WHETHER IT'S SEVEN, EIGHT, NINE, TEN PLAYS, WHATEVER IT IS, YOU'VE GOT TO FIND A ROLE AND THAT'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT WE'VE SEEN.

I MEAN HE PLAYED 22, 23 GUYS -- >> YEP.

>> YEAH.

>> -- ON SATURDAY.

I MEAN THAT'S INCREDIBLE.

>> ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE A TEAM LIKE COLORADO, TRYING TO GO AS FAST AS THEY WERE.

WEATHER WASN'T REALLY HOT, BUT STILL, IT WAS IN THE 80s.

THEY WERE TRYING TO GO FAST.

>> AND I MIGHT BE LOW ON THAT NUMBER.

>> YEAH, YOU'RE RIGHT.

I THINK IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE.

GUYS THAT HAD TACKLES, THAT WAS THE NUMBER.

AND THERE WERE MORE GUYS THAT DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TACKLES.

EVEN LEFOTU CAME IN THERE AND GOT A FUMBLE RECOVERY.

>> HE'S PLAYING KAI WALLIN, I MEAN GUYS ARE GETTING SNAPS.

>> 2-0, 0-2 THOUGH, STILL THE BIG PART OF THIS.

YOU EVENTUALLY GOT TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE THESE GUYS FEEL LIKE THEY CAN WIN GAMES, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

AND GET OVER THAT.

>> THEY GOT TO GET OUT OF THEIR OWN WAY.

I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY THE MISHAPS ON OFFENSE HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT AD NAUSEAM.

BUT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE HAVE A, I ALWAYS SAY, A UNIQUE MEMORY.

BEFORE THE SEASON YOU WOULD PROBABLY THINK THAT -- I COULD ARGUE THAT YOU COULD SAY NEBRASKA WAS THOUGHT TO BE 0-2, RIGHT?

MOST LIKELY 1-1.

THE DIFFERENCE IS, THEY HAD NEBRASKA BEATING COLORADO AND LOSING TO MINNESOTA.

THE PROBLEM IS, IS THAT WHEN YOU PLAY WELL AGAINST MINNESOTA OR AT TIMES AND YOU LOSE THE GAME AGAINST MINNESOTA PEOPLE ARE UPSET.

THEN YOU PLAY AN IMMENSELY SKILLED AND DISCIPLINED AND TOUGH TEAM LIKE COLORADO ON THE ROAD, IT CATCHES YOU BY SURPRISE.

AND SO THEY ARE ONE GAME BEHIND PROBABLY, REALISTICALLY, WHERE THEY ARE.

AND THERE'S TWO GAMES, THEY PROBABLY FEEL LIKE THEY GAVE AWAY, RIGHT, TURNOVERS.

AND THEY JUST GOT TO GET OUT OF THEIR OWN WAY.

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS FOR THEM.

AND THEY'RE ALL CONTROLLABLE, RIGHT?

>> IN '06 -- I MEAN '96 YOU GUYS GOT OFF TO A SLOW START OFFENSIVELY.

>> RIGHT.

>> I'M ASSUMING THAT THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF LOCKER ROOM TALK WHEN ONE SIDE IS NOT PICKING UP THE OTHER SIDE?

>> IT TYPICALLY TAKES A WHILE.

YOU KNOW, FOR US WE KNEW WE WERE GOING TO STRUGGLE A LITTLE BIT.

THERE WAS A DYNAMIC CHANGE AT THE QUARTERBACK SPOT.

WE WERE LACKING LEADERSHIP VOCALLY IN TERMS OF GUYS TAKING OVER.

I SAY THAT KNOWING FULLY WELL I WAS THE CAPTAIN, RIGHT?

IT'S DIFFERENT.

YOU LOSE A GRAHAM.

DISHMAN WASN'T A REAL TALKATIVE GUY.

AARON TAYLOR CERTAINLY WASN'T A REAL TALKATIVE GUY.

HESK, EVEN THOSE GUYS, THEY WERE STILL KIND OF COMING INTO IT.

AND SO IT JUST TOOK TIME.

BUT I THINK WE WERE SO CLOSE THAT THAT DIDN'T REALLY COME UP A TON.

I THINK THEY WERE STILL EMBRACING THE FACT THAT THEY HAD TO PICK US UP, THEY WOULD.

I MEAN '94, K STATE WAS STILL FRESH IN THE MINDS OF, "HEY MAN, WE HAVE YOUR BACK."

>> RIGHT.

>> I THINK IT TOOK A LITTLE TIME FOR THAT TO KIND OF CREEP IN.

>> HAVE YOU BEEN ON A TEAM LIKE THAT, EVEN THE PROS?

>> OH YEAH.

HEY.

I WAS DOWN IN HOUSTON WHEN DAVID CARR WAS DOWN THERE AND I REMEMBER PULLING UP TO THE STADIUM AND WE GAVE UP 17.

WE KNOW IF MORE THAN 17 IT'S AN L. I DON'T THINK NEBRASKA'S AT THAT POINT BECAUSE THEY'VE DONE BETTER THINGS ON OFFENSE, PROBABLY ACTUALLY AGAINST COLORADO THAN THEY DID MINNESOTA.

LOOK, YOU GOT TWO DROPS.

I FEEL LIKE FIDONE ON THE CONTESTED, YOU KNOW, ACROSS THE MIDDLE ON THE SECOND DRIVE I THINK IT WAS.

>> AND BULOCK'S GOTTA CATCH THAT SQUARE.

>> IT'S A DIFFERENT GAME, RIGHT?

NOW, JEFF SIMS HAS HIS ISSUES, RIGHT?

I MEAN, BUT SOME OTHER GUYS HAVE SOME ISSUES, IT'S JUST LITTLE THINGS.

SO I HAVE BEEN ON TEAMS LIKE THAT AND AT THE PRO LEVEL.

YOU DO CALL GUYS OUT.

BECAUSE MY JOB DEPENDS ON YOU.

>> YOU'RE GETTING PAID.

>> BUT I WILL TELL YOU THIS, OFFENSIVELY, COMING OUT WITH 12 PERSONNEL, SOMETIMES 13 PERSONNEL AND OBLITERATING COLORADO IN THAT FIRST HALF.

THAT'S A GOOD SIGN FOR THEM.

SO THAT'S SOMETHING THEY CAN FALL BACK ON.

SO THEY JUST GOT TO GET BETTER AT THE LITTLE THINGS THAT REALLY TURN TO BIG THINGS.

>> DID YOU HAVE IN '04 A LITTLE BIT?

BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THE OFFENSE -- >> YEAH, THAT WAS SUCH A DRASTIC -- I MEAN, YOU HAD JOE DALY WHO WAS A OPTION QUARTERBACK ALL OF A SUDDEN TRYING TO RUN A WEST COAST OFFENSE.

>> YEAH.

>> I MEAN, HE COULDN'T EVEN CALLS THE PLAYS RIGHT.

HE WAS DOING HIS BEST.

HE HAD 38 PITCH ON TWO, LET'S GO.

BUT NOW WE HAVE TO CALL A WHOLE -- >> CHANGED RIGHT?

>> CHECK THIS, ALERT THIS, IT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT BALLGAME.

SO IT WAS A SQUARE PEG, ROUND HOLE SITUATION.

DEFENSE WE WERE PRETTY GOOD.

IT WAS SIMILAR IN '05, TOO.

WE STRUGGLED OFFENSIVELY.

>> YEAH.

>> BUT IT WAS TOUGH, MAN.

IT JUST IS WHAT IT IS.

I GET ASKED THIS A LOT.

AS A DEFENSIVE GUY, THEY ASK YOU IF YOU GET FRUSTRATED?

YEAH, YOU DO.

BUT SOMETIMES YOU CAN'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

>> RIGHT.

>> YOU'VE GOT TO GO OUT AND DO YOUR JOB.

MATURE, GOOD DEFENSES, YOU DON'T GET CAUGHT UP WITH WHAT THE OFFENSE IS DOING.

YOU SAY, HEY, I GUESS WE GOT TO SCORE.

HEY, I GUESS WE GO CREATE MORE TURNOVERS.

>> WE GOTTA DO MORE.

IOWA'S MADE A LIVING ON THAT.

THEY JUST BEAT IOWA STATE WITH THE DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWN.

I WOULD CHALLENGE MY GUYS ON DEFENSE, LET'S PLAY BETTER ON THIRD DOWN.

>> THAT'S THE THING.

>> LET'S PLAY BETTER ON THIRD DOWN.

LET'S NOT FALL ASLEEP WITH FIVE WIDE ON 4th AND 10 WITH PROBABLY THE FASTEST DUDE, ONE OF THEM, IN COLLEGE.

RIGHT?

LET'S MAKE THEM MAKE A PLAY AND LET'S NOT LET THEM CATCH AN INDIANAPOLIS COLTS ROUTE WITH FIVE GUYS WATCHING.

LET'S DO THAT AND THEN WORRY ABOUT IT.

>> IT IS UNCANNY.

NEBRASKA'S FIRST TWO OPPONENTS SUCCESS RATE ON THIRD DOWN GIVEN THEIR SUCCESS RATE ON FIRST AND SECOND DOWN.

I MEAN, THEIR FIRST AND SECOND DOWN SUCCESS RATE IS THROUGH THE ROOF.

>> RIGHT.

>> BUT THEN, COINCIDENTLY, THEIR THIRD-DOWN CONVERSIONS ARE EQUALLY AS SHOCKING.

>> YEAH, THEY HAD 10 YARDS TO GO ON PASSING DOWNS.

MEANING THAT IS OBVIOUSLY THIRD DOWN.

BUT SECOND DOWN IF IT'S MORE THAN SEVEN YARDS.

THEY HAD 10 YARDS TO GO.

THEY AVERAGED 10.1 YARDS OFFENSIVELY.

>> SIMILAR IN THE MINNESOTA GAME.

>> SAME THING, YEAH.

>> COLORADO CONVERTS NINE OF 17 ON THIRD DOWN.

THOSE OF THE THINGS.

>> THEY'RE 109th AGAINST THIRD DOWN RIGHT NOW.

THIRD DOWN FOR NEBRASKA.

>> FOR A TEAM THAT HAS BEEN AS IMPRESSIVE WITH STUFF RATE AS ANYBODY IN THE COUNTRY.

>> YOU GOT ILLINOIS COMING OFF OF A BAD LOSS TO ILLINOIS BUT NEBRASKA'S NAME IS UP THERE.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE UP FOR THIS GAME.

>> OH YEAH, AND IT'S KIND OF A GET RIGHT GAME FOR THEM.

THEY HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE.

THEY'RE PROBABLY CONFIDENT BECAUSE THEY ARE ABLE TO GO BEAT BOSTON COLLEGE UP, ANOTHER POWER FIVE SCHOOL.

BUT I THINK NEBRASKA ACTUALLY MATCHES UP REALLY WELL WITH THEM BOTH OFFENSIVELY AND DEFENSIVELY.

IT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH OFFENSIVELY BUT THIS IS A GAME THAT I THINK WITH THE WAY THAT THEY PLAY OFFENSE, I WOULD SAY DEFENSE YOU GO IN THINKING ABOUT, OKAY TWO TRICK PLAYS.

WITH THESE DUDES, RIGHT, YOU GOT TO THINK FOUR.

>> YEAH.

>> AND ANYWHERE ON THE FIELD.

THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO COME IN AND HIT YOU WITH A MIKE TYSON HAYMAKER EARLY AND KIND OF GET THE CROWD AGAINST YOU.

REALLY THE BEST THING NEBRASKA CAN DO IS JUST COME OUT AND PLAY STEADY.

YOU KNOW, AND THEN GET GOING AND TRY TO PHYSICALLY IMPOSE YOURSELF.

>> CAN YOU -- IF JEFF SIMS ISN'T READY TO GO, DO YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH HAARBERG LEADING THE OFFENSE?

>> YEAH, I DO.

I THINK YOU HAVE AN OPPONENT IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS WHO THAT STRUGGLED, OFFENSIVELY ESPECIALLY, TO RUN THE BALL.

AND LOMBARDI HAS THE THREE INTERCEPTIONS.

SO DEFENSIVELY IT'S KIND OF LIKE, OKAY, NO MATTER WHO IS PLAYING QUARTERBACK, IF WE PLAY OUR GAME WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A CHANCE.

NEBRASKA IS GOING TO HAVE THEIR HANDS FULL WITH NORTHERN ILLINOIS UPFRONT.

THAT'S A GOOD DEFENSIVE LINE, AND THEY'LL PLAY SIX GUYS.

THEY'RE ACTIVE AND I LIKE THEIR SECONDARY.

THEY GOT A ALL-CONFERENCE CALIBER SAFETY.

THEY'LL BE LEGIT.

I THINK NEBRASKA WILL BE COMFORTABLE BECAUSE IF THEY WANT TO PLAY THIS GAME IN A PHONE BOOTH THEY'RE DEVELOPING THAT IDENTITY THAT THEY ARE OKAY PLAYING THAT WAY.

>> CAN THEY STILL GET THE SIX WINS?

>> OH YEAH.

YEAH, THEY CAN.

I THINK SOME OF THE STUFF THAT'S GOING ON IN THE BIG TEN PROBABLY WILL SHED SOME LIGHT ON WHEN -- >> DOES NOT LOOK SHARP.

>> I MEAN, I THINK PURDUE IS GOING TO BE UP-AND-DOWN, AND THEY CAN GET IT.

BUT YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET SIX UNTIL YOU GET TO ONE.

ONE NEEDS TO START THIS WEEK.

IF THEY START PLAYING AGAINST THEMSELVES AND WINNING AGAINST THEMSELVES, THE OPPONENT BECOMES SECONDARY.

>> JAY WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> APPRECIATE YOU HAVING ME.

>> NOW IT'S TIME TIME TO ANNOUNCE OUR GAME DAY PHOTO CONTEST WINNER.

JERRY AND STEPHANIE SENT THESE OF THEIR GRANDKIDS WHO JOINED THEM TO WATCH THE GAME ON SATURDAY.

THANKS FOR SHARING THIS WITH US, JERRY AND STEPHANIE.

DON'T MISS OUT ON YOUR OPPORTUNITY, SEND US YOUR BEST GAME DAY PHOTO FOR CHANCES TO WIN GREAT PRIZES LIKE THESE THROUGHOUT THE SEASON.

WE WANT TO SEE YOUR GAME DAY BEST.

SO MAKE SURE YOU SEND IN THOSE PHOTOS, FROM THE TAILGATE, INSIDE THE STADIUM, OR EVEN FROM YOUR WATCH PARTY AT HOME.

NOW IT'S TIME TO TOSS IT TO JAY MOORE IN THE HUDDLE.

>> ALRIGHT, A COUPLE OF PLAYS DEFENSIVELY FROM THE GAME AGAINST COLORADO ON SATURDAY.

THE FIRST ONE, WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT CAM LENHARDT.

HE IS PLAYING PHENOMENAL, EARLY IN THE SEASON AS A TRUE FRESHMAN.

I MENTIONED, EYE DISCIPLINE.

THIS IS WHERE THIS KIND OF COMES IN FOR CAM AS I HIGHLIGHT HIME ON THE EDGE HERE.

HE HAS KIND OF A DOWN POWER SCHEME LOOK.

SO INITIALLY, IN THIS SCHEME, WITH A GUY ON THE EDGE, HE HAS TO FIT INSIDE OF THIS LOOK.

BUT KNOWING HE LOOKS HERE AT THE MESH POINT.

IT'S NOT RIGHT.

REALLY NOT A HANDOFF.

SO HE KNOWS THEY'RE NOT HANDING IT OFF SO WHY WOULD I GO TAKE MYSELF OUT OF THE PLAY AND LET'S GO PLAY MAKE A PLAY.

SO NOW HE SEES IT.

NO NEED TO BE CAUGHT UP IN HERE WHEN I CAN JUST COME UP HERE AND MAKE A PLAY.

THAT'S A GREAT PLAY FOR A YOUNG GUY IN A PRETTY BIG GAME FOR US AS A TRUE FRESHMAN.

SO CAM LENHARDT IS PLAYING WELL EARLY ON.

THE SECOND PLAY WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT IS THAT ZERO BLITZ THAT WE HIGHLIGHTED EARLIER.

TOMMI HILL HIGHLIGHTED UP HERE TOWARDS THE -- INTO THE FIELD.

SO, ZERO PRESSURE.

NEBRASKA IS BRINGING SEVEN GUYS, THAT MEANS EVERYONE ELSE HERE IS MAN-TO-MAN.

TOMMI HILL DO NOT GET THAT MESSAGE.

YOU'LL SEE HERE RIGHT NOW THAT HE IS -- EYES ARE ON THE BACKFIELD.

A LOT OF TIMES THE RULE IS IF YOU SEE THE BALL THROWN YOU'LL SEE THE BALL CAUGHT.

IF YOU'RE TRYING TO PLAY MAN-TO-MAN.

SO HE SEES IT THROWN.

HE'S IN MORE OF A CATCH TECHNIQUE ALMOST LOOKING LIKE HE'S TRYING TO PASS THIS OFF WITH THIS UNDERNEATH GUY.

THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

GETS BEAT OVER TOP.

DOES A GOOD JOB.

LUCKILY THE PASS WAS UNDER THROWN, BUT DOES A GOOD JOB OF GETTING THE GUY DOWN, RECOVERS.

BUT NEBRASKA, A LITTLE SLOPPY ON THAT PLAY.

>> THAT'S WHY THEY SAY YOU HAVE TO PLAY WITH 11 RIGHT?

I MEAN, 10 GUYS CAN DO IT, ONE GUY MAKES ONE MISTAKE.

>> OH FOR SURE, FOR SURE.

NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

>> THERE'S MORE "BIG RED WRAP" COMING UP.

NEXT WE TALK TO SEAN CALLAHAN WHO JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT RECRUITING AND THEN WE WILL DIVE INTO SATURDAY'S MATCHUP IN MEMORIAL STADIUM.

BUT FIRST, ANOTHER LOOK AT COLORADO'S GAME DAY PHOTOS COURTESY OF HURRDAT SPORTS.

♪ >> ♪ >>> WELCOME BACK TO "BIG RED WRAP-UP."

IT'S TIME TO CHECK IN ON THIS WEEK'S SIDELINE SURVEY.

WHO DO YOU WANT TO SEE STARTING AT QUARTERBACK ON SATURDAY.

WOW.

80% OF THE PEOPLE SAY HEINRICH HAARBERG.

THEN YOU GOT 10% FOR JEFF SIMS AND CHUBBA PURDY.

IT'S ALWAYS THE BACKUP WHO IS THE MOST POPULAR.

MAKE SURE YOU VISIT THE WEBSITE AND CAST YOUR VOTE NOW.

WITH ME, OF COURSE, IS SEAN CALLAHAN TO TALK WITH RUDY.

BIG VISITOR THIS WEEKEND?

>> YEAH, VISITOR FOR NEBRASKA.

BRANDON BAKER, THE NATION'S NUMBER ONE TACKLE WILL BE MAKING HIS THIRD TRIP TO LINCOLN.

THIS WILL BE HIS OFFICIAL VISIT.

HIS ENTIRE FAMILY WILL BE HERE INCLUDING HIS OLDER BROTHER WHO PLAYED FOR OREGON.

SO I STILL THINK A LONG SHOT FOR THE BIG RED.

TEXAS AND OREGON AND SOME OTHER TEAMS, THE LEADERS IN THE CLUBHOUSE.

BUT ANYTIME YOU GET A GUY ON CAMPUS YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHERE THAT COULD GO.

>> AND SUCH A GREAT CLASS ALREADY IN 2024.

2025, CADEN VERMAAS FROM MILLARD NORTH.

SIX FOOT TALL, 190, SAFETY.

TELL US ABOUT HIM.

>> CADEN VERMAAS WAS A REALLY EARLY COMMIT.

HE COMMITTED LAST SPRING AFTER AN OUTSTANDING SOPHOMORE SEASON.

HE'S A RUNNING BACK.

HE CAN PLAY RECEIVER.

HE'S A KICK RETURNER FOR FRED PETITO, BUT NEBRASKA'S LOOKING AT HIM AS MORE OF A SAFETY.

THE OTHER DAY HE HAD ALL THE TOUCHDOWNS FOR MILLER NORTH IN A GAME AGAINST CREIGHTON PREP.

SO HE'S AN EXPLOSIVE ATHLETE.

HE'S GOING TO SHOW UP IN A FOOTBALL GAME IN ALL THREE PHRASES FOR MILLER NORTH.

YOU SEE HIM AS A BALL CARRIER HERE.

JUST A GUY THAT -- MATT RHULE, THEY WATCHED THE FILM ON HIM EARLY ON, OFFERED HIM.

AND HE DIDN'T WASTE TIME.

IN FACT, MICKEY JOSEPH MADE THE OFFER TO HIM FIRST.

>> OH WOW.

>> AND MATT RHULE RE-HONORED THAT OFFER TO HIM.

AND THEN HE COMMITTED BASICALLY RIGHT DURING THE MIDDLE OF SPRING PRACTICE.

>> DOES HE RUN TRACK?

>> I DON'T BELIEVE.

HE'S MORE OF A BASEBALL GUY, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN.

BUT HE GOT OUT OF THAT AND HE'S INTO MMA FIGHTING.

>> OH WOW.

TOUGH GUY.

>> HE DOES SOME BOXING, MMA STUFF.

BUT REALLY, MILLARD NORTH, FRED PETITO, STRONG PROGRAM, STRONG KID.

YOU KNOW HE'S WORKING HARD IN THE WEIGHT ROOM.

>> ALRIGHT, LET'S GO TO THE PHONE NOW TO 2024 COMMIT.

ONE OF THE BEST ATHLETES IN THE STATE, CARTER NELSON JOINING US NOW.

>> CARTER, HOW ARE YOU DOING?

CAN YOU HEAR US CARTER?

>> YES, SIR.

>> HOW ARE YOU DOING?

HOW ARE THINGS GOING?

>> I'M DOING GOOD.

CAN'T COMPLAIN.

EVERYTHING IS GOOD OUT HERE.

>> WELL CARTER, YOU'VE GOING INTO YOUR SENIOR YEAR.

OBVIOUSLY A BIG TARGET ON YOUR BACK.

TEAM IS UNDEFEATED.

BREAK DOWN WHAT YOU'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO AND JUST ALL THE WAYS YOU ARE BEING UTILIZED IN EIGHT-MAN FOOTBALL FOR AINSWORTH.

>> THE BIGGEST THING RIGHT NOW IS JUST MAKING SURE THAT I'M DOING EVERYTHING I CAN TO HELP THE TEAM.

WE'VE HAD A REALLY SUCCESSFUL YEAR SO FAR BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF YOUNGER KIDS THAT ARE STEPPING UP RIGHT NOW AND FIGURING OUT THEIR ROLES.

I'M KIND OF JUST HELPING THEM AT THE SAME TIME AS UNDERSTANDING WHAT THAT ROLE IS.

AND SO FAR I THINK THAT'S BEEN WORKING REALLY GOOD FOR US.

>> CARTER, YOU STILL GOT SOME TIME BEFORE THIS HAPPENS BUT DO YOU THINK WILL BE THE BIGGEST TRANSITION GOING FROM 8-MEN TO 11?

>> I FEEL LIKE THE BIGGEST TRANSITION IS GOING TO BE LIKE THE PLAY STYLE, THE SPEED IS GOING TO BE SLOWER.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE TOUCHDOWN, TOUCHDOWN, TOUCHDOWN.

>> MM-HMM.

>> SO, IT'S DEFINITELY GOING TO BE A BIT OF A TRANSITION.

BUT I'M EXCITED TO WORK WITH PEOPLE TO HELP ME DO THAT THAT ARE AT NEBRASKA FOR SURE.

>> CARTER, WE'VE SEEN NEBRASKA PLAY WITH A LOT OF TWO, EVEN THREE TIGHTEND SETS.

HOW EXCITED ARE YOU FOR THE DIRECTION THIS OFFENSE IS GOING UNDER MATT RHULE AND MARCUS SATTERFIELD?

>> YEAH, I AM KIND OF EXCITED TO SEE WHAT THEY DO AND JUST KEEP HOPING THEY KEEP GIVING THAT TIGHT END THE BALL MORE AND -- NO, I AM EXCITED TO SEE WHAT THEY KEEP DOING WITH IT.

>> ULTIMATELY, WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE THE HUSKERS?

>> I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

IT MAY NOT SHOW FOR LIKE SCORES OR RECORD RIGHT NOW BUT THERE'S BEEN AN ATTITUDE CHANGE IN THE LOCKER ROOM SO HAVING FAMILY NEARBY AND TRULY BELIEVING WAS KIND OF A BIG THING FOR ME.

>> NOW CARTER, YOU'RE ABOUT FOUR HOURS FROM LINCOLN, HOW OFTEN ARE YOU GONNA GET DOWN FOR THESE HOME GAMES?

I ASSUME, WE'LL PROBABLY SEE YOU DOWN IN LINCOLN HERE ON SATURDAY FOR THE HOME OPENER.

>> YES, SIR.

>> WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

HOW MUCH DO YOU TALK WITH THE MEMBERS OF THAT RECRUITING CLASS GUYS LIKE DANIEL KAELIN AND SOME OF THE OTHER GUYS IN THE 2024 CLASS?

>> OH, WE TALK QUITE A BIT.

IT'S BEEN KIND OF WHILE, 'CAUSE THERE HASN'T BEEN TOO MUCH GOING ON, BUT I'M REALLY EXCITED TO SEE SOME OF MY GUYS FOR SURE.

>> CARTER, HOW MUCH DO YOU LIKE TO PLAY ON DEFENSE?

OBVIOUSLY, WITH AN 8-MAN TEAM YOU'RE PLAYING ON BOTH SIDES?

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING THE CHANCE TO PLAY ON DEFENSE?

>> IN THE PAST I PLAYED DEFENSE, BUT IT HAS NOT REALLY CLICKED FOR ME.

BUT THIS YEAR, I DON'T KNOW.

I THINK I HAVE BEEN PLAYING PRETTY DECENT IN THE DEFENSIVE SIDE OF THE BALL THIS YEAR SO FAR SO.

NO, I AM DEFINITELY ENJOYING DEFENSE A LOT.

>> HEY CARTER, WE APPRECIATE IT.

STAY HEALTHY AND HAVE A GREAT REST OF YOUR YEAR.

>> THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> SEAN, WE APPRECIATE IT.

BEFORE WE DIVE INTO THE NORTHERN ILLINOIS GAME WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT SOME SCORES AROUND THE BIG TEN THIS WEEKEND.

MICHIGAN TAKES CARE OF BUSINESS AGAINST UNLV, 35-7.

THEIR QUARTERBACK'S BEEN PLAYING VERY WELL SO FAR.

THE FIGHTING ILLINI FALL SHORT AGAINST KANSAS ON A FRIDAY NIGHT.

I LOVE THE KANSAS OFFENSE.

34-23 AND WISCONSIN GETS BEAT BY WASHINGTON STATE 31-22, ANOTHER PART WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT, THE WEST DOESN'T LOOK ALL THAT INTIMIDATING.

WE THOUGHT ILLINOIS -- OBVIOUSLY, WE THOUGHT THEY'RE CHANGING A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT.

KANSAS IN THE FIRST HALF WAS RUNNING UP AND DOWN THE FIELD ON THEM.

>> YEAH, ILLINOIS'S IN TROUBLE OFFENSIVELY.

THAT'S A COUPLE WEEKS IN A ROW, THEY KIND OF STRUGGLED.

IT MAY BE A WORK IN PROGRESS ALL YEAR LONG.

I THINK EVERY GAME -- WISCONSIN DID NOT LOOK IMPRESSIVE.

I THNK IOWA IS WHAT THEY ARE.

>> 24 POINTS, THEY'RE HAPPY.

>> I MEAN, THAT'S JUST KIND OF WHO THEY ARE.

THEY'RE .1 YARDS PER CARRY, A PLAY BETTER THAN THEY WERE LAST YEAR.

THEY'RE.1 YARDS TOTAL YARDS PER PLAY BETTER THAN THEY WERE LAST YEAR.

I MEAN, THAT JUST KIND OF IS WHAT THEY ARE.

I MEAN, WHO ELSE IS OUT THERE?

RIGHT?

IT'S DEFINITELY DOABLE.

>> I WOULD SAY IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE TEAMS THAT ARE STILL -- MICHIGAN OBVIOUSLY IS AS GOOD AS COLORADO AND MINNESOTA.

>> AND THEY EVEN THEY'VE WORKMAN LIKE.

THEY HAVEN'T BEEN LIKE OVERLY EXPLOSIVE.

THEY'VE BEEN LIKE -- THEY'LL SLOW BLEED YOU AND THEY'LL MAKE IT HURT.

>> McCARTHY LOOKS LIKE HE'S KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING BETTER THAN HE WAS.

LIKE I DON'T SEE HIM MAKING SOME OF THEM MISTAKES.

BUT IT'S EARLY AGAINST NOT GREAT COMPETITION.

>> HE'S SO MUCH BIGGER.

HE LOOKS STRONGER THEN HE HAS BEEN.

>> YEAH.

>> HE'S GROWN.

>> HE'S GOT CORUM TO DEAL WITH TOO.

IT'S JUST LIKE -- >> AND EDWARDS.

>> IT'S KIND OF OFF TO AN OKAY STAY.

>> YEAH, WELL YOU LOOK AT IT.

IS THERE A TEAM THAT YOU LOOK AHEAD OTHER THAN IOWA MAYBE AND MICHIGAN THAT YOU LOOK AT AND SAY THAT NEBRASKA DOES NOT HAVE A CHANCE?

>> THAT MICHIGAN STATE GAME OBVIOUSLY CHANGED A LOT IN THE LAST WEEK.

BUT I THINK MARYLAND'S KIND OF A WILDCARD OPPONENT.

>> YEAH.

>> I JUST DON'T REALLY KNOW.

>> SLOW START THIS PAST WEEK.

>> THEY MIGHT SLOT THEMSELVES UP IN THAT EASTERN DIVISION.

I MEAN, I JUST LOOK AT THESE DIVISIONS, THIS WILL BE THE LAST YEAR OF THE WEST.

AND YOU'RE LIKE "GOT TO GET RID OF THE --" THIS IS A PERFECT YEAR FOR THE BIG TEN TO TRY TO GET TWO PLAYOFF TEAMS AGAIN BEFORE THING GOES TO 12 TEAMS.

I MEANN IT'S SET UP FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME TO BE ALMOST AN AUTOMATIC WIN RIGHT NOW FOR THE EASTERN SIDE OF THIS DIVISION.

PENN STATE, MICHIGAN, OHIO STATE, I MEAN, YOU GOT TO THINK THERE'S A SOMEWHAT OF A DECENT CHANCE THAT THEY LEAGUE CAN LAND TWO PLAYOFF TEAMS.

>> YOU LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE, ONLY THREE MORE GAMES ON THE ROAD, ILLINOIS ON A FRIDAY NIGHT, MICHIGAN STATE AS YOU MENTIONED CHANGED BECAUSE THEY PROBABLY -- AT THAT POINT, THEIR HEAD COACH WILL BE FIRE AND THEN THE GAME AT WISCONSIN BEFORE THE FINAL GAME AT HOME AGAINST IOWA.

>> I'M ALWAYS AFRAID TO LOOK AHEAD.

>> OH, I UNDERSTAND.

YOU CAN'T GET TO 6-2 UNTIL YOU GET THE ONE.

THAT'S THE ONLY WAY I CAN THINK ABOUT IT.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT NORTHERN ILLINOIS.

YOU GOT ROCKY LOMBARDI NOW IN HIS SEVENTH YEAR PLAYING FOORBALL.

BROWN, THEIR RUNNINGBACK'S PRETTY GOOD.

THEY'VE GOT A TIGHTEND WHO IS ABOUT 6'7-6'8 WHO TAKES OVER THE MIDDLE THE FIELD AND THEY HAVE SOME DECENT TALENT ON DEFENSE.

I JUST DON'T THINK THEY CAN STOP THE RUN.

>> YEAH, THAT'S GONNA BE THE ISSUE.

BOSTON COLLEGE RAN IT AT A PRETTY GOOD CLIP FOR THE MAJORITY OF THAT GAME AND DID NOT TAKE CARE OF THE FOOTBALL.

>> YEAH.

>> YOU KNOW, NEBRASKA AGAIN, CAN KEEP THEIR TOES THEY HAVE A CHANCE TO BE ABLE TO MOVE THE BALL.

I'M SURPRISED NORTHERN ILLINOIS HASN'T RAN THE BALL BETTER.

I MEAN, THEY'RE GROUND AND POUND.

>> THEY NORMALLY DO.

THEY'RE GOING FOR LESS THAN THREE PER CARRY.

I AM A LITTLE SURPRISED AT THAT.

>> AND CADE HABERMAN IS THERE, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

>> I KNOW HE GOT BANGED UP A LITTLE BIT IN THE BOSTON COLLEGE GAME.

BUT THERE'S -- THAT'S KIND OF THE PIPELINE FOR SOME OMAHA GUYS GOING TO NORTHERN ILLINOIS.

>> IT HAS BEEN A VERY GOOD RECRUITING AREA FOR THEM.

THEY RECRUIT A LOT OF THE SAME KINDS OF PLAYERS.

I LIKE COACH HAMMOCK A LOT.

I THINK HE STANDS FOR THE RIGHT THINGS.

I THNK HE DOES THE RIGHT THING WITH THIS PROGRAM AND THEY PLAY WITH A CERTAIN TOUGHNESS.

NEBRASKA'S GONNA GET ALL THEY WANT UP FRONT.

I MEAN, WE CAN SLICE THIS EVERY WAY 'TIL SUNDAY BUT THEY'RE GONNA GET ALL THEY WANT FROM NORTHERN ILLINOIS DEFENSIVELY.

>> IS THERE AN INJURY ISSUE WITH BRIAN BUSCHINI?

DO YOU KNOW ANY INSIDE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH HIM?

>> YEAH, YOU WITH THINK, YOU KNOW HE PUNTED IN THE ALTITUDE IN BOULDER.

HE WAS GONNA HAVE A CAREER DAY THERE.

>> RIGHT.

>> IT WAS MAYBE ONE OF HIS WORST DAYS.

I THINK IT IS JUST AS MUCH MENTAL AS ANYTHING.

I THINK THE PROTECTION HASN'T BEEN QUITE AS GOOD.

I MEAN THE RUSH HAS GOTTEN INTO HIM A LITTLE QUICKER AND I THINK THAT'S AFFECTED HIM AS HE'S GETTING READY TO PUNT, AS ONE THEORY I HEARD THIS WEEK.

SO WE'LL SEE HOW HE BOUNCES BACK.

BUT SOMETHING HAS SEEMED OFF WITH BUSCHINI GOING AN AVERAGE OF 35 YARDS ON HIS PUNTS, WHICH THAT'S HUGE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE A DEFENSE LIKE NEBRASKA YOU WANT TO GET THAT FIELD POSITION BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO BE NEBRASKA'S BEST CHANCE TO WIN GAMES.

>> HOW ABOUT SOME OF THESE YOUNG WIDE RECEIVERS?

'CAUSE WE SEE A LOT OF YOUNG PLAYERS PLAYING ON DEFENSE.

WHO DO YOU THINK'S COMING?

I KNOW MALACHI COLEMAN WAS OPEN ON A CROSSING ROUTE THAT HE HAD A CHANCE TO GET TO.

BUT WHO DO YOU THINK IS COMING AS A WIDE RECEIVER?

>> I KNOW COLEMAN'S THE POPULAR ONE, AND ALL BIAS ASIDE, LLOYD'S THE GUY THAT I EXPECT JUST BECAUSE I KNOW HIS PERSONALITY AND HE GOES TO WORK EVERY DAY.

HE'S GOING TO SHOW UP IN HIS VERY, VERY DISCIPLINED.

HE ENJOYS REGIMEN.

HE'S COACHABLE.

HE LIKES BEING TOLD WHAT TO DO AND HE IS A BENCHMARK KIND OF GUY.

SP YOU CAN COACH HIM HARD AND HE'LL KEEP SHOWING UP.

I IMAGINE JAYLEN LLOYD WILL MAKE A PLAY OR TWO THIS WEEKEND AT MEMORIAL STADIUM.

>> DAVID WANTS TO KNOW FROM FACEBOOK, "WHERE'S THE FULLBACK?

WE'VE HEARD SO MUCH ABOUT THE FULLBACK.

WHERE'S THE FULLBACK?"

>> ISN'T THAT'S INTERESTING?

BOTH THE FULLBACK AND THE TIGHT ENDS.

BOERKIRCHER'S ONE OF THEIR BEST PLAYERS.

I DON'T CARE HOW YOU SLICE IT.

HE NEEDS TOUCHES.

I LIKE LIEBENTRITT.

BONNER'S GOT VERSATILITY.

>> I'M SURPRISED BONNER HASN'T TOUCH THE BALL.

TWO-BACK RUN GAME DOWNHILL.

JUST GIVE ME A LITTLE SOMETHING TO KEEP THE DEFENSES HONEST FROM RACING TO THE EDGES.

>> WHEN THE GAME GETS OFF SCHEDULE IT'S HARD TO PLAY AT THE FULLBACK.

>> I GET IT.

I GET IT.

>> I MEAN, NEBRASKA GETS DOWN TO COLORADO.

THEY HAD LIEBENTRITT AND BONNER GOING FOR A WHILE.

BUT THEN YOU GET DOWN BY AS MANY POINTS AS THEY DID I MEAN YOU KIND OF CHANGE WHAT YOU ARE DOING, RIGHT?

>> TOUGH TO HAVE A FULLBACK WHEN THEY PENETRATE THE WAY COLORADO WAS.

>> THAT'S WHY I LIKE TRAP AND VEER, RIGHT?

I MEAN, YOU HOW THAT SLOWS YOU -- YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A GUY TALK OF GUY WHO COULD PIN HIS EARS BACK.

>> YEAH.

>> DOWNHILL RUN GAME BLAST POWER -- >> RAM.

>> RAM THAT HURTS.

IT CHANGES THE WAY YOU WANT TO GET VERTICAL.

>> IT DOES.

YOU START LOOKING SIDEWAYS, LIKE WHO'S COMING TO YOUR WHOLE.

TOPS A DEFENDER JUST A HALF SECOND, ALL OF A SUDDEN, BAM, THERE YOU GO.

YOU GOT THAT SEAL AND THEY'RE TO OFF TO THE RACES.

>> SOME OF THOSE GUYS YOU DON'T BLOCK.

YOU SLIP AND YOU READ IT AND YOU LET THEM ROLL.

>> YUP.

>> YEAH, WE SAW THAT WHEN YOU GUYS WERE PLAYING AGAINST MIAMI IN '94.

LET THEM GO WHERE THEY WANT TO GO AND YOU GO BY THEM.

>> THESE GUYS ARE RUNNING THE BLOCKS, SO JUST DON'T BLOCK THEM.

>> EXACTLY.

>> YOU THINK JEFF SIMS IS THE STARTER ON SATURDAY?

>> IF HE IS HEALTHY.

I MEAN, I THINK WHAT DOES JEFF SIMS DO THE BEST?

HE RUNS.

IF HE IS LIMITED ON THAT ANKLE THAT TAKES AWAY WHAT HE DOES THE BEST.

SO I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY SOMETHING TO EVALUATE THE REST OF THE WEEK AND MAKE THAT CALL BECAUSE IF HE'S AT ALL LIMITED I THINK THAT REALLY HAMPERS HIS STRENGTH AS A QUARTERBACK.

>> YEAH, HE IS SET UP RIGHT NOW WITH I MEAN, THE INTERCEPTIONS, THE FUMBLES AND THEN JUST REALLY HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET IN A RHYTHM.

IF HE CAN GET IN A RHYTHM, I THINK HE CAN -- I'VE WATCHED HIM ENOUGH AT GEORGIA TECH.

WHEN HE WAS IN RHYTHM OF GAMES, HE ACTUALLY LOOKED PRETTY GOOD.

>> DO YOU GUYS FEEL LIKE NEBRASKA LEFT SOME RUSHING YARDS ON THE FIELD, TOO?

>> DEFINITELY.

>> 100%.

>> I THOUGHT THEY LEFT QUITE A FEW RUSHING YARDS OUT THERE FOR AS WELL IS STATISTICALLY THE NUMBERS SAID.

>> HOW DO YOU THINK THE OFFENSIVE LINE PLAYED?

>> OUTSIDE A PASS PRO I DON'T HAVE A TON OF PROBLEMS.

I GET THE PLAYS WERE GUYS CROSS YOUR FACE, THEY GET READ ON A DOWN BLOCK.

>> GAP SCHEMES ARE -- THEY'RE STRUGGLING WITH THAT RIGHT NOW.

>> RIGHT?

YOU'RE GONNA GIVE UP A FEW OF THOSE, BUT FOR THE MOST PART OUTSIDE OF PASS PRO IT HASN'T BEEN A DUMPSTER FIRE.

THEY'VE BEEN OKAY.

>> IT'S BEEN MANAGEABLE.

LIKE A C -- I WOULD GIVE IT A C, YOU KNOW, GRADE ON IT.

I MEAN, THERE'S IMPROVEMENT BUT IT'S NOT THE WORST.

I THINK THEY HAVE DONE SOME GOOD THINGS.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHERE TEDDY PROCHAZKA IS IN ALL THIS.

I THINK THAT'S A GAME CHANGER FOR THAT.

>> THE LEFT SIDE OF THE LINE NEEDS A BOOST, ESPECIALLY IN PASS PROTECTION.

>> BENHART'S PLAYED WELL TOO.

>> YES, HE HAS.

>> HE'S BEEN BETTER THAN HE HAS BEEN.

SCOTT'S BEEN VERY GOOD.

I ACTUALLY THINK -- >> NOUILI.

>> NOUILI FOR NOT PLAYING FOR A WHILE, I KNOW RAIL IS AN EASY WHIPPING BOY, BUT YOU GOT TO GET INSIDE THE SCHEMES.

THEY HAVEN'T BEEN THAT BAD.

>> SO MOVE CORCORAN INSIDE.

YOG GET TEDDY BACK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE OFFENSIVE LINE -- >> SO THE THING I WORRY ABOUT WITH CORCARAN MOVING INSIDE IS I'M NOT SO SURE HOW WELL HE GETS OFF THE BALL.

RIGHT?

I WORRY A LITTE BIT ABOUT HIS TWITCHY.

LIKE, JUST HOW MUCH SNAP HE HAS TO HIS GAME.

>> WORKING THE SECOND LEVEL.

>> YEAH.

>> YOU'LL HAVE TO DO THAT AS OFFENSIVE TACKLE.

YOU HAVE THAT COMBO AND THEN YOU GET TO THE SECOND LEVEL.

THAT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT BALL GAME.

>> SEAN, ARE YOU SURPRISED THAT THE ANGER EVERYBODY -- THERE'S A LOT OF ANGRY PEOPLE.

I MEAN, I'M GOING THROUGH HERE.

>> HE KNOWS.

HE RUNS A MESSAGE BOARD.

>> YOU RUN A MESSAGE BOARD.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING YOU.

THERE'S SOME ANGRY PEOPLE HERE.

TWO GAMES.

>> THINK OF THE CONTEXT OF WHERE THIS PROGRAM'S AT THOUGH.

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WHIPPED AND BEAT DOWN HARD SINCE 2016 AND 2017.

SO YOU JUST THINK ABOUT IT IN THAT SENSE.

PEOPLE WANT THIS SO BAD.

ABD NOBODY HAS BACKED OFF.

THE FANS STILL TRAVEL.

THEY STILL FILL THAT STADIUM.

THERE'S NOWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD LIKE NEBRASKA FANS THE WAY THEY FILL THINGS UP AND GO TO THING.

IF TEAMS LOSE LIKE NEBRASKA FANS STOP COMING BUT IN NEBRASKA THEY KEEP COMING.

AND I THINK KEEP WANTING TO BELIEVE.

AND IT'S JUST NOT BEEN THERE.

IT'S SO I THINK FRUSTRATING FOR A LOT OF THESE FANS TO KEEP BATTLING THROUGH THIS.

>> BURNING QUESTIONS.

YOU'RE UP FIRST?

>> MY BURNING QUESTION IS WILL JEFF SIMS PLAY IN THIS GAME?

AND IF SO, CAN HE TAKE THAT STEP FORWARD AND GET THIS OFFENSE -- GET AN IDENTITY DEVELOPED HERE THESE NEXT TWO WEEKS.

>> DAMON.

>> OUTSIDE OF TAKING CARE OF THE FOOTBALL, THAT'S THE OBVIOUS.

IF YOU PLAY MULTIPLE QUARTERBACKS, WILL YOU REACH A POINT OF NO RETURN?

PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND.

YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WITH HOW YOU MANAGE YOUR QUARTERBACKS.

>> YUP.

>> IT'S -- YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND AND SAY OUT LOUD IT'S DIFFERENT.

SO IF SIMS DOESN'T PLAY, HOW MUCH PATIENCE DO YOU HAVE?

>> JAY.

>> MINE IS THE DEFENSIVELY.

OBVIOUSLY, THEY BEEN REALLY, REALLY GOOD THE FIRST TWO GAMES.

CAN THEY GET OFF THE FIELD ON THIRD DOWNS AND CAN THEY CREATE SOME TURNOVERS?

>> YEAH.

>> GET THE BALL BACK TO THE OFFENSE'S HANDS.

AND IF THEY HAVE SOME TURNOVERS, THEY CAN THEY MAKE UP THOSE MISTAKES THE OFFENSE WILL HAVE?

>> CAN YOU GET ANTHONY GRANT BACK IN?

I KNOW HE HAD THE TURNOVERS.

I WANT TO SEE HIM GET A CHANCE.

I HOPE ALL THREE RUNNING BACKS GET A CHANCE TO RUN IN.

CAN YOU GET ANTHONY GRANT BACK ON THE FIELD?

>> DON'T FORGET TO HEAD TO THE WEBSITE OR FACEBOOK PAGE AND CLICK ON THE PREDICTION.

JAY, DAMON, AND I WILL TELL YOU EXACTLY WHAT TO EXPECT ON SATURDAY.

NEBRASKA LOOKS TO TAKE ON NORTHERN ILLINOIS AT HOME, THE FIRST HOME GAME IN MEMORIAL STADIUM UNDER HEAD COACH MATT RHULE.

KICKOFF OF THAT GAME IS 6:00.

IT'S FS1.

AND NEXT TUESDAY, WE'LL RECAP THAT GAME RIGHT HERE WITH FORMER HUSKER PLAYER AND ASSISTING COACH BARRETT RUUD.

OUR THANKS TO JAY FOREMAN, CARTER NELSON AND FOR THE STUDENT VOLUNTEERS IN THE CALL CENTER FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

FOR JAY MOORE AND DAMON BENNING AND SEAN CALLAHAN, I'M MIKE'L SEVERE WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK RIGHT HERE ON "BIG RED WRAP-UP."

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