Hit the link for our full Monday practice notebook...
Monday notebook: Diaco explains no postgame interview
***Defensive coordinator Bob Diaco immediately addressed the issue of him not giving a postgame interview after the Arkansas State win on Saturday night. He said he was told he didn’t need to give talk after the game, and clarified that he’s never ran from anything life and always been accountable for everything he’s done.
He said it was very disappointing to be depicted and "attacked" the way he was. He said the situation was a product of miscommunication and wasn’t upset that media thought he was dodging interviews.
***Asked about his impressions of the game, Diaco said they never pay attention to stats or yards, and that the only thing that mattered was the scoreboard and having one more point than their opponent.
Diaco said he thought his players did a “wonderful job” of executing the defensive game plan and gained valuable experience from the game. He said the main plan was to not allow 50/50 jump balls downfield and explosive plays, and the defense did just that.
***Diaco added that the ending of the game “didn’t need to be as exciting as it was.”
***Diaco said the game experience so many young players gained on Saturday night was invaluable, and now they have actual game film cut-ups to show the players in meetings and film sessions to show them what the coaches are talking about.
***Diaco coached against Oregon head coach Willie Taggert while he was at UConn and Taggert was at South Florida, and he said they both have a pretty good idea of what each other likes to do.
Diaco described Taggert’s offense as a run-oriented scheme that has “a lot of window dressing” but is really a run-first system.
***Diaco said Oregon essentially runs a triple-option attack out of a spread look with big play potential in the downfield passing game.
***Diaco said every player knew exactly how many plays they were going to get against Arkansas State by Thursday of last week. He said everyone knew what their role was going to be and there were no surprises on game day.
***Diaco said NU’s young cornerbacks were poised and kept their heads despite being thrown in the fire right away against ASU. He said their tackling was sound and they didn’t get beat deep in coverage, and he was really proud of their effort.
***Linebacker Marcus Newby was supposed to sit out of Monday’s practice while nursing a hamstring injury, but he was suited and went through practice.
***Defensive line coach John Parrella said freshman nose tackle Damion Daniels didn’t play on Saturday, but there was still a chance he could see action this year.
***Linebackers coach Trent Bray said linebacker Luke Gifford was maybe the most unique players he’s ever coached because of his versatility and basically being the complete package in being able to play the run and defend the pass.
***Safeties/special teams coach Scott Booker said he was really pleased with Caleb Lightbourn on Saturday and said the sophomore used excellent technique on all of his punts.
***Booker said the only real difference about Oregon’s Autzen Stadium was that it goes east to west, meaning the wind might be a bit different than Memorial Stadium’s north-south setup.
Monday notebook: Diaco explains no postgame interview
***Defensive coordinator Bob Diaco immediately addressed the issue of him not giving a postgame interview after the Arkansas State win on Saturday night. He said he was told he didn’t need to give talk after the game, and clarified that he’s never ran from anything life and always been accountable for everything he’s done.
He said it was very disappointing to be depicted and "attacked" the way he was. He said the situation was a product of miscommunication and wasn’t upset that media thought he was dodging interviews.
***Asked about his impressions of the game, Diaco said they never pay attention to stats or yards, and that the only thing that mattered was the scoreboard and having one more point than their opponent.
Diaco said he thought his players did a “wonderful job” of executing the defensive game plan and gained valuable experience from the game. He said the main plan was to not allow 50/50 jump balls downfield and explosive plays, and the defense did just that.
***Diaco added that the ending of the game “didn’t need to be as exciting as it was.”
***Diaco said the game experience so many young players gained on Saturday night was invaluable, and now they have actual game film cut-ups to show the players in meetings and film sessions to show them what the coaches are talking about.
***Diaco coached against Oregon head coach Willie Taggert while he was at UConn and Taggert was at South Florida, and he said they both have a pretty good idea of what each other likes to do.
Diaco described Taggert’s offense as a run-oriented scheme that has “a lot of window dressing” but is really a run-first system.
***Diaco said Oregon essentially runs a triple-option attack out of a spread look with big play potential in the downfield passing game.
***Diaco said every player knew exactly how many plays they were going to get against Arkansas State by Thursday of last week. He said everyone knew what their role was going to be and there were no surprises on game day.
***Diaco said NU’s young cornerbacks were poised and kept their heads despite being thrown in the fire right away against ASU. He said their tackling was sound and they didn’t get beat deep in coverage, and he was really proud of their effort.
***Linebacker Marcus Newby was supposed to sit out of Monday’s practice while nursing a hamstring injury, but he was suited and went through practice.
***Defensive line coach John Parrella said freshman nose tackle Damion Daniels didn’t play on Saturday, but there was still a chance he could see action this year.
***Linebackers coach Trent Bray said linebacker Luke Gifford was maybe the most unique players he’s ever coached because of his versatility and basically being the complete package in being able to play the run and defend the pass.
***Safeties/special teams coach Scott Booker said he was really pleased with Caleb Lightbourn on Saturday and said the sophomore used excellent technique on all of his punts.
***Booker said the only real difference about Oregon’s Autzen Stadium was that it goes east to west, meaning the wind might be a bit different than Memorial Stadium’s north-south setup.
Last edited: