Here's what Mike Riley had to say during his weekly appearance on the Big Ten Teleconference:
***Riley said the offensive line's blocking on NU's final two drives was "the key to the whole thing" in coming back against Michigan State. Said Nebraska's best blocking of the game came on those drives.
***On getting healthy on defense: "It was nice to have a few guys back. When we had our very first unit in our very first game, that was the last time they'd all been together. We're still not totally there, but we're close... It does make a difference."
***On Tommy Armstrong's ability to bounce back: "Tommy is a very, very competitive person. The games can kind of go up and down for him. He can make some plays, then we had an ill-fated interception in the red zone... but he has that resiliency to bounce back."
***Kevin Williams came back from a groin injury and played against MSU, but he came out of the game and Riley "doesn't know where he's going to be" going forward.
***Michael Rose-Ivey is questionable for the Rutgers game, but Riley said if he practices today as he plans to do, it will go a long way toward him playing.
***On Rutgers: "Watching them, I've come to really appreciate what they do offensively. They do a lot of shifting and motion and play action... that (Leonte) Carroo is an outstanding player."
***Riley said the Huskers have to focus on Rutgers, not a bowl game yet. "We just have to take care of business. We have no business looking too far ahead the way our season has gone."
***Riley said it's standard for teams to have a two-minute package defensively and he wasn't surprised with how the Spartans changed their coverage.
***Riley said the offensive line's blocking on NU's final two drives was "the key to the whole thing" in coming back against Michigan State. Said Nebraska's best blocking of the game came on those drives.
***On getting healthy on defense: "It was nice to have a few guys back. When we had our very first unit in our very first game, that was the last time they'd all been together. We're still not totally there, but we're close... It does make a difference."
***On Tommy Armstrong's ability to bounce back: "Tommy is a very, very competitive person. The games can kind of go up and down for him. He can make some plays, then we had an ill-fated interception in the red zone... but he has that resiliency to bounce back."
***Kevin Williams came back from a groin injury and played against MSU, but he came out of the game and Riley "doesn't know where he's going to be" going forward.
***Michael Rose-Ivey is questionable for the Rutgers game, but Riley said if he practices today as he plans to do, it will go a long way toward him playing.
***On Rutgers: "Watching them, I've come to really appreciate what they do offensively. They do a lot of shifting and motion and play action... that (Leonte) Carroo is an outstanding player."
***Riley said the Huskers have to focus on Rutgers, not a bowl game yet. "We just have to take care of business. We have no business looking too far ahead the way our season has gone."
***Riley said it's standard for teams to have a two-minute package defensively and he wasn't surprised with how the Spartans changed their coverage.
