Huskers Continue to Prepare for Trip to West Lafayette

Football
12/1/2020 1:46:00 PM

NU Athletic Communications

Nebraska coordinators Matt Lubick and Erik Chinander met with members of the media following practice Tuesday to discuss the team’s preparation for Purdue this weekend. 
 
On offense, Lubick noted the improvement he’s seen from the Huskers in the passing game. 
 
“We thought we improved this last weekend,” Lubick said. “Guys were doing a good job getting open. We feel like we can throw the ball downfield. We think we can get it out fast and quick game, but we also want to be able to run the ball. I do think we made some steps in the passing game this last weekend, and we’ve got to continue to improve there.”
 
Lubick went on to discuss Wan’Dale Robinson’s versatility and how it has helped the team this season. 
 
“Early on when we had some injuries at running back, he came up and said, ‘Coach I want to do whatever I can to help the football team win,'” Lubick said. “It’s really a tribute to him. The fact that he can also go in at running back and pick up protections. We’ve been really pleased. It helps us as an offense to have a guy that’s that versatile.”
 
On the other side of the ball, Chinander spoke on the defense’s ability to bounce back last week at Iowa following the loss to Illinois. 
 
“The guys knew that we did not go out versus Illinois and we had to get things corrected,” Chinander said. “They see how their day-to-day life affects what happens on Friday or Saturday and what happens in practice affects what happens on Friday and Saturday. For them to come back and work the way they did, it’s not a moral victory, but it shows that the program is moving in the right direction.”
 
Chinander provided an update on senior captain Collin Miller, who was injured in the Illinois game and is now helping coach his teammates. 
 
“He’s out at practice, encouraging guys, coaching,” Chinander said. “He’s got a script and he’s helping everybody out. He loves Nebraska, and he just wants to help. He’s an awesome kid, and he’s still a big part of what’s going on.”
 
As the Huskers enter the final stretch of the season, both coordinators discussed what they expect to see from Purdue this Saturday. 
 
“They’ve definitely improved from last year, statistically,” Lubick said. “They take pride in not giving up big plays. Like every team in this league, it’s going to be a big challenge for us because it’s a good defensive football team that’s well coached.”  
 
“They’re going to do a lot of stuff on offense. They have for Coach Brohm’s whole career,” Chinander said. “You’re going to see some new plays and some new packages every week. There’s going to be a lot of things to defend, and we’ve just got to be sound in what we do. It’s a tough matchup every year, but the guys have to be dialed in on the calls that we have, they’ve got to know all the adjustments and they’ve got to do their job every single snap.”
 
The Huskers and Boilermakers kick off on Saturday at 11 a.m. (CT) in West Lafayette. Television coverage will be provided by BTN and radio coverage will be provided by Husker Sports Network.