SOPHOMRE DB MAURICE MACK
On improvement in the secondary against Oklahoma and the week ahead...
"We took a couple of steps forward. There is still some stuff that we need to clear up, but I think overall we stepped it up pretty good. We try and get better each and every week at practice, but this week we have to improve even more."
On the upcoming game against Nebraska...
"We consider anyone who steps on our turf a rival, whether it be Oklahoma, Nebraska, or anyone, even KU. We just have to step it up big time. It's going to be a big game for us, as far as what we want to do and where we want to go, as far as the end of the season and the postseason. So it will be a big game that we need to just go out there."
SENIOR DT JERMAINE BERRY
On creating turnovers against Nebraska...
"I'm not for sure, because every team has problems turning over the ball. That's just one of the goals that we will take into practice in regards to trying to get turnovers. But we're more worried about winning."
On the team's attitude...
"It's all or nothing right now. We have to put everything on the line, because these games determine our year."
On his attitude...
"I haven't been getting too down, because I know that we have another game after that. I don't really dwell on what we can and can't do well. We have to win these games to get to the postseason, and we have five games left, so each game is critical for us."
On finding positives after the loss to Oklahoma...
"It's hard to find any positives, because we lost a game, and there is not too much that you can pull out of that. But besides that, we made some strides team-wise, but we still have some strides to make."
On the motivation to win this weekend against Nebraska...
"I think we've had enough motivation we needed to win the entire year, from what some of the media says about us. I think we have enough motivation to carry with us for the rest of the year."
SOPHOMORE WR JERMAINE MOREIRA
On the play of Dylan Meier against Oklahoma...
"I think Dylan did great, coming out against Oklahoma. He is just growing and growing and he's a smart player, so he did really well."
On finding positives after the loss to Oklahoma...
"Seeing new looks from the defense and still learning. And just going out there and catching and just minimizing the little mistakes and just learning from that."
SENIOR C MIKE JOHNSON
On the feeling of the team right now...
"Obviously, the feeling is to beat Nebraska, and that's what we're looking at, and that's where our focus is at. We know we have to win these games, so if frustration is what you want to call it, that's where we're at."
On the effectiveness of Darren Sproles...
“It's hard to say, sometimes it's just the timing. This offensive line is maybe not as fast, or we may have a little different timing in how we open holes up, so it's hard to say.”
On whether playing Nebraska has lost its luster...
“I think it's the same feeling as it always is when we play Nebraska. Obviously they're going to come in here and they're going to play and they're going to play hard. It's a rivalry every time we play them. I think it’s the first time the game hasn't been televised in 11 years, so it's a huge rivalry and it goes back a long way.”
On Nebraska football...
“The first thing I think of is the powerhouse they used to be, and how they used to run the football and the option. That's the Nebraska I remember growing up with. Obviously they've changed some things and they're now more of a passing team but their defense is still up there and they're playing Nebraska defense. So we're going to have to go out there with our "A" game.”
JUNIOR OL JEROMEY CLARY
On the running game...
“There obviously needs to be some blame for that because it’s not getting done. I’m always going to blame myself first before I blame anybody else.”
On team leadership...
“We have some newcomers and some guys who haven’t played much. We also don’t have the leadership of Nick Leckey and Ryan Lilja. I really can’t put a finger on it. Leckey definitely helped me out and I respected Leckey a lot. I don’t know if the younger guys are looking up to Jon Doty, Mike Johnson and myself as we did to Leckey and Lilja.”
On if he asks Coach Snyder to run the ball during the game...
“I’ll tell him (Coach Snyder) if I see a defense, a weakness, or if I’m playing good that particular day, I’ll tell him to run it at me. He’s on the outside looking in and I’m on the inside looking out. I do tell him stuff, but he probably knows better than I do what’s going to work and what’s not.”
SOPHOMORE LB BRANDON ARCHER
On becoming more comfortable as a starter...
“I feel a lot more comfortable. I’m getting into the flow of things with practices and getting more reps, and that’s the main thing.”
On his interception return for a touchdown vs. Oklahoma...
“The coverage was for me to be out in the flats and I just got out there a little faster than usual. I was just in the right place at the right time. It was really quick now that I think back about it. I turn back and see the ball and the next thing I know I’m in the end zone.”
On what went through his mind after the interception...
“At first I thought someone was behind me, so the first thing I thought about was to just cover the ball up and make sure I secure the ball. Then the next thing was to just get into the end zone.”
SENIOR TE BRIAN CASEY
On playing Nebraska throughout his college career...
“When I got here it was a storied program and it meant a lot to beat them my first year. My first year here we beat them 29-28 here in the snow. It was one of my best memories to beat them my first year here. We expect to beat them now. Previously, before I got here, we really didn’t expect to beat them, and if you did beat them it was a great victory. We got over the hump last year and beat them at their place. Now I just feel that we have the confidence that we can beat Nebraska and they are not the bigger program than us.”
On the 2000 win vs. Nebraska...
“I mostly remember the snow and the drive down to win it with a pass to Quincy (Morgan) over the middle. It was just exciting when everyone rushed the field. It was the first time that I had seen that in a college atmosphere, so that was pretty cool to see.”
On this weekend’s game vs. Nebraska...
“It’s like the first time it hasn’t been on TV in 11 years. It is a very important game for both of us in the Big 12 North. We both have a mathematically possible chance to win the Big 12 North. Whenever you have a home game against Nebraska, you always want to beat them.”
SOPHOMORE WR YAMON FIGURS
On Allen Webb...
“I’m sure he’s going to get ready this week for the game. I’d don’t think we are going to have a problem if he needs to go.”
On if Dylan Meier knew who he was after the hit...
“Yeah, he knew who I was. He was just kind of woozy after the game. I was on the field when he got hit and went over to him when he was on the ground. He just got up and walked off the field.”
On the pressure of the final five games...
“I think this will cause better chemistry, and I think that we will come through under pressure. We have to play better and play faster. We have to get back to playing like we know how to play.”
