Kevin Wilson: Nebraska Preview

On the message to the team preparing for a third straight ranked opponent…

Wilson: "It is what you signed up for when you come here and you're playing in the Big 10 East. Of course this is a crossover game. Nebraska is historically one of the great programs. Coach Riley is now settled in. His team is playing really good, outstanding on offense, don't give up the big plays, kick it well and they are 5-0 for a reason. They are going to be a strong challenge. We have played some good teams. Our team is getting better, but we still have a lot of things that need to get eliminated. The ability to finish drives and score, the ability to create or not turn the ball over, are things we have to keep working on. We had a good week of practice, there is a good vibe on our team, it is a strong challenge, but I know our kids are looking forward to it. It is just Big Ten football."

On being more consistent in all three phases…

Wilson: "You have to practice habits and fundamentals so they do not get sloppy. Sometimes when you break down it is just some fundamental breakdowns of alignment, footwork and execution. You work a lot of execution in individual work. We are getting to that time of year where, if you are not careful as a coach, schemes become so much that you forget the fundamentals. We try to emphasize a lot of fundamental work to keep playing well as a team. We need to learn from our mistakes of moving the football but breaking down the red zone, having them third-and-long and not getting stops or letting them keep the drive going. The big kick return we gave up last week, we had blunders on field goal team and we have had a punt blocked. History repeats itself unless you learn. Historically we have not played well. If we are going be good we are going to learn. We are challenging our team to learn from mistakes. If you are a good football team, you get better. I know every good football team in the country is talking about that. If we are a good team, we show improvement and we get better. We have had a good week of practice. We are looking forward to a good challenge Saturday."

On having a big crowd for the Homecoming game…

Wilson: "It would be great. I think the weather is shaping up well. You could tell last week, even in the fourth quarter, and our crowd was not huge, but the way our facility is set up, the fans were rolling and our opponent (Michigan State) had to take some timeouts and they had some procedure issues. Again, last week in Columbus after the game one of their vets that works the crowd said that is the second loudest I have ever heard the stadium. Those fans know we operated at the line, they were very loud and we had communication issues. The fans are what make the home field advantage. The locker rooms might be a little smaller but the field and everything else is the same. The fans can make a difference. We need to play well so that they cheer. I think we are going to. I think Nebraska comes in as a great team. Our fans are going to see a great Big Ten football matchup. I would love to have a great crowd get behind us and bring a lot of energy and make Saturday a special day here. Not just this Saturday, let's start making all Saturdays a great day here at Memorial Stadium."

Indiana University Athletics

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