The Word with Kenny Wilson, 9/20
digg it!
Facebook
del.icio.us
Seed Newsvine
Fark It
Reddit
BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
There could be plenty of jockeying throughout the season in Nebraska’s four-man I-back race. Judging by the swarm of reporters surrounding Kenny Wilson on Tuesday, he apparently captured people’s imaginations with his 19-carry, 46-yard performance during Saturday night’s 28-10 loss to Southern California. He had no idea he would see that much action against the Trojans and couldn’t be certain if the pattern will continue this Saturday against Troy. If it does, he’s ready.
How hard is it being in a “committee” of I-backs, as opposed to being “The Man?”
“It’s definitely hard, something you have to get used to. You have to look at it from more of a team point of view, and not always want to be that guy.”
Were you surprised how many carries you were given against USC?
“I was really surprised. We never know how they’re going to rotate us. So you always have to be ready. You never know.”
How did you try to attack USC’s fast and hard-hitting defense?
“I tried to get in the hole and go north and south as quickly as possible. Against a fast team, you can’t go east and west ... It was definitely the fastest defense I’ve played against.”
You don’t know game-to-game whether you’ll play a lot or play a little. How do you feel about that?
“I know we’re all going to get some carries. It’s just a matter of how many. I just work hard, and hopefully I get in the game.”
Do you feel you made a strong case against USC to be the No. 1 guy?
“I think I played hard just like any other back. Brandon (Jackson) got in and played well. Marlon (Lucky) got in. I just feel we all played hard.”
Cody Glenn didn’t get any carries Saturday. Did you tell him to keep his head up?
“Oh, yeah. I talked to him. He was kind of down at the game. He’s fine now.”
The coaches seemingly feel confident pitching the ball to you on stretch plays to the outside. Does that play to your strengths?
“I like to get outside and utilize my speed. I like the outside. I’m able to get up my speed. It just makes me feel like I’m at a track meet.”
How did you prepare yourself for the intimidating atmosphere at Los Angeles Coliseum?
“We dealt with (fake) crowd noise through all of practice. The coaches always had speakers playing loud because we knew it was going to be loud. We knew it was going to be hostile. The coaches showed us (video) clips and everything. We knew what to expect.”
When you’re not in the game, what do you watch for from the sideline?
“I look at defenses and see what they play. I watch the linebackers. I see what everybody’s doing so I know what to expect when I get in.”
How do you keep your mind right this week after the big loss to USC?
“This will be a good week for us to see what kind of team we are, to see if we’re able to bounce back from the loss to SC. We’ll definitely come back stronger and keep focusing. We have to put the game behind us and focus on what’s ahead of us.”
Is trotting on the field as the No. 1 I-back to start the game important to you?
“Nah. I’m going to go out there and perform (regardless). I’m going to go out there and be me.”
Most Commented news