The overtime win against Kansas was no confidence builder. This weekend, the Nebraska Cornhuskers know they must do better against Iowa State.
"How you focus and how you prepare, that's the key when you get ready for a game like this. Practice (and) preparation becomes game-time reality," said coach Bill Callahan in his press conference Tuesday.
Nebraska will be looking for its first road win against Iowa State since 2000 on Saturday. Just as importantly, the Huskers need to regain the confidence that was so evident in the Troy blow-out two weeks ago and so lacking in the 39-32 Kansas squeak job last Saturday.
"We have to prove we can win on the road," said Nebraska quarterback Zac Taylor. "This is huge."
Likewise, a win for Iowa State would get ISU's football program needed momentum. "Any time you get a chance to beat Nebraska it's a statement game for your program that you have improved," says ISU head coach Dan McCarney. "You get respect and you get credibility any time you can beat Nebraska."
Coach Bill Callahan says the ISU game could be a deciding factor in winning of the Big 12's North Division.
Callahan said Iowa State is a proud program, one that has had a chance to win the North Division title on the last day of the regular season the last two years.
Callahan worked with Cyclones coach Dan McCarney as an assistant at Wisconsin. He says he knows that McCarney will be fired up for this game and that he will do a good job of motivating his players.
The Cyclones are three-and-two overall after beating Northern Iowa 28-to-27 last week. They are oh-and-one in the league, with their loss coming at Texas.
The No. 22 Huskers (4-1) travel to Ames, Iowa to take on 3-2 Iowa State on Saturday, Oct. 7. Kick off at Jack Trice Stadium is set for 7 p.m. with an ABC regional telecast.
The following are audio links to press conference interview segments with Husker players and NU head coach Bill Callahan courtesy of Huskers.com. Click on each link to open in .mp3 format.
Head Coach Bill Callahan
On the game
On ISU quarterback Bret Meyer
On the importance of the Iowa State game
On ISU head coach Dan McCarney
Quarterback Zac Taylor
On his performance against Kansas
On the importance of the Iowa State game
On his performance last year against Iowa State
I-back Cody Glenn
On his return from injury
On Nebraska's success in overtime
Linebacker Stewart Bradley
On the confidence of Nebraska's defense
On the mindset of Nebraska's defense
On the emphasis for Nebraska's practices this week
