The Word with Jay Moore
NU defensive end Jay Moore, a senior from Elkhorn, leads the Huskers in tackles for loss (nine) and sacks (four). He has 10 career sacks at Nebraska.
The education major hopes to play pro football when he leaves NU, but he might also have a future in golf. He carries a 6 or 7 handicap.
Jay is not the only Moore on the Husker roster. His brother, Kyle, is a freshman linebacker who has shown great potential as a walk-on.
Jay Moore spent a few minutes Tuesday with the Journal Star’s John Mabry.
That had to be kind of neat Saturday, listening to the fans showing you some respect with that “Go Big Red!” cheer (after the loss).
“That was pretty special because sometimes the fans can be harsh down here when you lose a game, but it was really special to hear them. That chant made you feel better about it.”
Was it weird having to get up for an 11 a.m. game?
“Yeah. To get that 6:30 a.m. knock on your door or phone call was a little early, getting up when it was still dark and making that bus ride over to the stadium when it was still dark.”
Who do you room with on road trips?
“I always room with Adam (Carriker).”
What do you guys talk about when you’re getting ready for bed?
“We kind of just get ready for bed and fall asleep. Usually there’s a game on, and we’re watching that and talking. We usually kind of do our d-line test and do some stuff. We don’t have a lot of conversation.”
What’s the best movie you’ve seen recently?
“We’ve seen a lot of good ones. ‘The Departed.’ We went and saw that on the Friday before the Texas game. That was probably by far the best movie I’ve seen this year.”
Do you ever find yourself checking yourself out on the big video board during a game?
“Yeah. Even when we had the small (screens), you’d always take peeks up there and catch yourself up there and kind of look, ‘Hey, I’m on the big screen.’ I think everyone kind of checks to see if they’re up there.”
Name a Husker from another sport who really impresses you with his or her athletic ability.
“Probably Christina Houghtelling. I watch them play volleyball, and I know Christina really well. We’re good friends. Watching those girls just get up. They’re tall and athletic. The way they move and get up and hit that ball is pretty impressive.”
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received from a coach?
“Can I switch it to best advice I’ve received from a player? Two years ago, when (wide receiver) Larry Fitzgerald was here with us, I got to know him well and hung out with him when we were working out and stuff like that. One time, we were working out and he told me to never settle for mediocrity. I’ve always used that, especially when you don’t feel like doing some stuff on certain days, when you’re having trouble with school or don’t feel like giving the effort in practice. Anybody can just give an average effort. Never settle for mediocrity.”
If you had to rank your favorite sacks as a Husker, could you do it?
“I think this last one against Texas is probably one of my favorites just because of the big-game atmosphere. Another one of my favorites was when we played Baylor my sophomore year here when (quarterback Dane King) was scrambling from behind, and I sacked him, stripped him and recovered the fumble. Last year, against Iowa State, when I hit Bret Meyer from behind to cause a fumble early in the game, that’s probably another. Those are my favorite three so far.”
How did you get that big gash on your right arm?
“It’s kind of funny. The summer before my senior year (in high school), a bunch of my friends and family, we took a vacation to Vail, Colo., and we went mountain biking one day. The second time down the mountain, I was getting more comfortable and getting kind of cocky on the bike. I was going too fast on a corner and just kind of wiped out. I did a head-first slide down the mountain, and it took a big old gash out of it. It’s just a big scar.”
Your brother, Kyle, is doing really well. How do you see his future shaping up here?
“He’s kind of surprised me at how well he’s doing, being away from home for the first time, being a walk-on. But he’s gotten close to having an opportunity to play this year. He traveled with us to the Iowa State game and went to the hotel a couple of times for home games. He’s going to do well. I think next year he’ll definitely see some special-teams time and probably be right behind there for the SAM position, so as long as he keeps getting bigger and stronger, he’s going to do well.”
Does your little brother get on your nerves?
“No, he doesn’t. We’re just good friends. He comes over on Mondays and does laundry at my place, and we just kind of hang out.”
What’s your long drive on the golf course?
“Probably about 340.”
Is there anything you can take from golf to use in football?
“Yeah. You’ve just got to stay cool and calm out there. Like golf, you’ve got to worry about the next shot. In football, you’ve just got to worry about the next play. You can’t do anything about the last shot or the last play.”
The education major hopes to play pro football when he leaves NU, but he might also have a future in golf. He carries a 6 or 7 handicap.
Jay is not the only Moore on the Husker roster. His brother, Kyle, is a freshman linebacker who has shown great potential as a walk-on.
Jay Moore spent a few minutes Tuesday with the Journal Star’s John Mabry.
That had to be kind of neat Saturday, listening to the fans showing you some respect with that “Go Big Red!” cheer (after the loss).
“That was pretty special because sometimes the fans can be harsh down here when you lose a game, but it was really special to hear them. That chant made you feel better about it.”
Was it weird having to get up for an 11 a.m. game?
“Yeah. To get that 6:30 a.m. knock on your door or phone call was a little early, getting up when it was still dark and making that bus ride over to the stadium when it was still dark.”
Who do you room with on road trips?
“I always room with Adam (Carriker).”
What do you guys talk about when you’re getting ready for bed?
“We kind of just get ready for bed and fall asleep. Usually there’s a game on, and we’re watching that and talking. We usually kind of do our d-line test and do some stuff. We don’t have a lot of conversation.”
What’s the best movie you’ve seen recently?
“We’ve seen a lot of good ones. ‘The Departed.’ We went and saw that on the Friday before the Texas game. That was probably by far the best movie I’ve seen this year.”
Do you ever find yourself checking yourself out on the big video board during a game?
“Yeah. Even when we had the small (screens), you’d always take peeks up there and catch yourself up there and kind of look, ‘Hey, I’m on the big screen.’ I think everyone kind of checks to see if they’re up there.”
Name a Husker from another sport who really impresses you with his or her athletic ability.
“Probably Christina Houghtelling. I watch them play volleyball, and I know Christina really well. We’re good friends. Watching those girls just get up. They’re tall and athletic. The way they move and get up and hit that ball is pretty impressive.”
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received from a coach?
“Can I switch it to best advice I’ve received from a player? Two years ago, when (wide receiver) Larry Fitzgerald was here with us, I got to know him well and hung out with him when we were working out and stuff like that. One time, we were working out and he told me to never settle for mediocrity. I’ve always used that, especially when you don’t feel like doing some stuff on certain days, when you’re having trouble with school or don’t feel like giving the effort in practice. Anybody can just give an average effort. Never settle for mediocrity.”
If you had to rank your favorite sacks as a Husker, could you do it?
“I think this last one against Texas is probably one of my favorites just because of the big-game atmosphere. Another one of my favorites was when we played Baylor my sophomore year here when (quarterback Dane King) was scrambling from behind, and I sacked him, stripped him and recovered the fumble. Last year, against Iowa State, when I hit Bret Meyer from behind to cause a fumble early in the game, that’s probably another. Those are my favorite three so far.”
How did you get that big gash on your right arm?
“It’s kind of funny. The summer before my senior year (in high school), a bunch of my friends and family, we took a vacation to Vail, Colo., and we went mountain biking one day. The second time down the mountain, I was getting more comfortable and getting kind of cocky on the bike. I was going too fast on a corner and just kind of wiped out. I did a head-first slide down the mountain, and it took a big old gash out of it. It’s just a big scar.”
Your brother, Kyle, is doing really well. How do you see his future shaping up here?
“He’s kind of surprised me at how well he’s doing, being away from home for the first time, being a walk-on. But he’s gotten close to having an opportunity to play this year. He traveled with us to the Iowa State game and went to the hotel a couple of times for home games. He’s going to do well. I think next year he’ll definitely see some special-teams time and probably be right behind there for the SAM position, so as long as he keeps getting bigger and stronger, he’s going to do well.”
Does your little brother get on your nerves?
“No, he doesn’t. We’re just good friends. He comes over on Mondays and does laundry at my place, and we just kind of hang out.”
What’s your long drive on the golf course?
“Probably about 340.”
Is there anything you can take from golf to use in football?
“Yeah. You’ve just got to stay cool and calm out there. Like golf, you’ve got to worry about the next shot. In football, you’ve just got to worry about the next play. You can’t do anything about the last shot or the last play.”
Copyright © 2002-2008 Lincoln Journal Star. All rights reserved.