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What Nebraska coach Scott Frost said at his Monday press conference
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For the third consecutive year, Nebraska left its annual rivalry game against Iowa with a sour taste as the Huskers fell 27-21 to the Hawkeyes.
It’s another kick in the shin for Scott Frost’s squad. There have been some highs but the lows seem to be outweighing the highs by a significant margin. That appears especially true right now and it came across that way in Frost’s regular Monday press conference.
Frost started with some big news regarding his current group of freshman and the departure of first-year wideout Marcus Fleming. He becomes the fifth Florida native who was part of the Class of 2020 to leave the program.
Scott Frost: Marcus Fleming is not going to be on the team any more.
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) November 30, 2020
Frost: "We have to make sure we're recruiting the right kids and not just the right athletes."
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) November 30, 2020
One player who struggled against Iowa was center Cam Jurgens. He had five errant snaps in the first half alone. But Frost still has confidence in the sophomore.
Here's why Frost likes Jurgens:
"He's smart, he's extremely athletic and he's exceptionally explosive."
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) November 30, 2020
Of the bad snaps, Nebraska coach Scott Frost says, "we need to get it fixed." Frost said Cam Jurgens is "too good of a player to even consider moving him out of that role" at center.
— Mitch Sherman (@mitchsherman) November 30, 2020
Looking back at the game this past Friday, Frost addressed some of his strategy including a possible timeout call late in the third quarter.
Frost said he considered calling a timeout at the end of the third quarter to make Iowa kick the 48-yard FG prior to the 4th quarter. He felt like the wind was swirling, his special teams guys did, too, and he chose to keep the timeout for later.
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) November 30, 2020
It's worth noting that NU did have a timeout late, for the final drive, if needed.
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) November 30, 2020
With three games left on the schedule, Nebraska is moving forward and hoping to do so with a full stable of running backs.
Frost on RBs:
Sevion Morrison not available. Frost "crossing our fingers on everyone else."
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) November 30, 2020
As for those three games, there will be plenty of questions about whether they will go off as planned. Cancelations continue to happen all across college football, including with Minnesota. The Huskers and Gophers are expected to meet in two weeks but is likely up in the air as Minnesota has confirmed more than 40 COVID cases inside its program.
Frost: COVID has affected young players a little bit.
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) November 30, 2020
Frost said: "I don't think I'll have a problem keeping this team engaged. They're hungry."
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) November 30, 2020
Frost: Sees COVID cases rising around the country.
"That's a bigger deal than football."
Acknowledges any of the last 3 games may be iffy.
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) November 30, 2020
Nebraska coach Scott Frost: "I’m worried about the last three games. Absolutely." Of the Huskers' remaining scheduled opponents, Minnesota looks like the biggest concern. The Gophers are dealing with a large virus outbreak this week.
— Mitch Sherman (@mitchsherman) November 30, 2020
Scott Frost says that Nebraska remains hopeful to play three more games. He’s not worried about the mentality of his players. “I don’t think I’m going to have a problem keeping this team engaged. This team’s hungry.”
— Mitch Sherman (@mitchsherman) November 30, 2020