Notable Quotables from Nebraska - Nicholls State

Here are some selected quotes from players and coaches from the Nebraska - Nicholls State game as well as some photos and comments from Big Red Network readers. Enjoy!

Nicholls State Coach Jay Thomas

Earlier in the week I wanted to thank Nebraska for giving us the opportunity to come and play and to help our program. And that's what this does. It's been great for our fans to come and be a part of this atmosphere. It's been good for our players to come and have the opportunity to play here. Now they've got something when they go on they can tell their kids they played here. And they can tell their grandkids they played here.

Nicholls State Quarterback Chris Bunch

They're fast. That's all you can say, they're fast. Our line did the best job they can do, but they were just too fast and big.

Nebraska Coach Bill Callahan

We lean on everybody. We feature them the way we feel that features their strengths and skills. We played Marlon (Lucky) and Brandon (Jackson), and you saw Kenny (Wilson) a little bit more. I thought Kenny flashed brilliantly at times. He's an explosive guy and he has tremendous speed. When he gets on the perimeter, he's capable of scoring. Of course, Cody (Glenn) is just a hard-nosed, in-between-the-tackles runner, so they all have their different styles and strengths. You try to work to that end to balance up the attack so we don't become so one-dimensional when those particular players are in the game.

I really enjoyed watching Marlon. He hits those runs, and he's getting a good feel for the offense and the running attack. I think, from what I saw today, that he's setting his blocks better. His course set the blocks for those linemen's blocks today.

Nebraska Quarterback Zac Taylor

We are more confident and sure of ourselves. Last year, we didn't really know what we were doing so we just tried to make plays. Now we know we can score points.

Nebraska I-Back Marlon Lucky

I was in a groove. The offensive line was blocking awesome and I took it from there.

Nebraska Linebacker Stewart Bradley

Some guys were saying they had never played in the rain before. It was good to do this early in the season. The rain changes the pace of the game.

It's amazing how fresh I feel. I used to feel like a 70-year-old man after games last year. The guys are really close right now. We all see the depth and the guys making plays and it just adds to the camaraderie.

Nebraska Fullback Dane Todd

It was kind of a belly catch. It's taken me about five years to get a touchdown finally. It was something that Zac (Taylor) wanted to get me by the end of the year. I was a little surprised. I figured we'd run the ball down there like we normally do, but I'm happy I got it. It happens so infrequently that I can't imagine anyone is every prepared for it.

Nebraska Wide Receiver Maurice Purify

I've come real far. I use to leave the huddle and not really know what I was supposed to do, but now I leave it and I know what I'm doing when I'm in. I'm getting more and more involved every week. They put me in a few more plays every week and a couple more formations.

Big Red Network Reader Josh Marshall

- Matt Herian is a nice weapon. However, Matt is extremely tentative after making a catch and before a defender collides with him. I saw him almost fall to his knees twice in the open field to avoid hits below the knees from defensive backs. Can you really blame the guy though? I mean the guy broke his leg in what seemed like 12 different spots.

- Our running game is very "right-handed." We ran right 80% of the time. I'm guessing its because our coaches don't have much confidence in the left side of the line. But, my concern lies with the fact that if a football novice like myself can pick up on this, then coaches, who coach everyday as their profession, will notice and prepare accordingly.

- Cody Glenn is a physical specimen. However, I noticed today for the first time, that he runs notably up-right. He doesn't get his body and center of gravity low to the ground. Sure, he's powerful, but he's not as talented as Roger Craig to be running upright.

- Our WR's looked great!

- Zac Taylor is as poised as a QB that NU has ever had when it comes to passing and hanging in the pocket. He waits just that extra split second.

- Our defense looked okay. Nothing real sexy. But, we didn't show much (hell, I don't even think we blitzed once today). Then again, we didn't have to, or need to blitz. Octavien looked okay. Nothing special from him either. I get the sense that he is trying to play much more controlled and disciplined football than being the wildman we saw for a half last year against Maine. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but I don't know if it is Steve's style.

- Andre Jones about gave me a heart attack in the first quarter when he went out for 1-2 series. The play happened right in front of me. Thank goodness he just hit his head hard on the field turf. When they walked him off the field he was a little wobbly. But, he came back in 1-2 series later and finished the game nicely.

- I believe we came out of the game injury free. Let me re-phrase that, I think we only came out with the normal bumps and bruise from a contact sport. No blown knees, sprained ankles, broken bones, etc.

- For the second straight week, Joe Ganz made the most of his time and played well. He threw a nice ball to either Swift or Peterson (can't remember) when he first came in. He doesn't look near as smooth as Taylor does when he drops back, so I can now understand why Ganz is #2 and Taylor is the clear-cut #1.

Thanks to huskerfaithful.com for the photos and to Josh for sharing his analysis!