Photo by: Matthew Mitchell/MSU Athletic Communications
Post-Game Quotes: Nebraska
9/26/2021 12:11:00 AM | Football
Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker
Opening statement…
First, I want to thank our fans, they showed up big. They were a huge factor in this game, they brought the energy, and it was sustained energy. Our student section was loud, and we can feel the energy from our fans from start to finish. They were here early, they really helped sustain us and push this team, and that was big for us. That was an advantage for us in the game. We could see the false starts and things like that, which you call home-field advantage. It was a factor.
I'm proud of our football team because we found a way to get the job done and stay in the left-hand column. I've been on some really, really good teams, and oftentimes when you see the good teams, they are able to win games like this. They find a way. All week we were showing our players examples of how special teams were impacting games across the country, whether its punt, punt return, kickoff or kickoff return. We knew that our return game was on the verge of explosion. We popped a couple kickoff returns. Coach Els made a really good call on that last punt return, and then obviously Jayden Reed and those guys got the blocks we needed and got it in there.
It was a team win, but there was a lot of lessons to be learned. We talked to our team daily, constantly all throughout practice, all throughout meetings: just keep chopping, keep chopping wood, play the next play, play the next play. The most important thing is what you do next, and just keep going, keep going, keep going. That's how we train a certain mindset. It's relentless, which has two components: it's high velocity and it's non-stop. We're just not going to stop and we're going to find a way to get it done. Our guys, our coaches, our players, our entire organization believes that and believes in finding a way and trusting in our process. For turnovers, I think we're plus one. The last turnover we got was huge in the game. Huge. A big part of the special teams is field position and Bryce did a really nice job of punting the football. So, even when we were stalling out, we were able to line the punt, get it out of there and make them go a longer way, and give our defense a chance to stop them and things like that.
Our guys were very, very poised in the game, and we talked about never flinching. Just don't flinch no matter what, just stand in there and just take it and just keep going. We talk about that pendulum swinging back and forth, that pendulum of momentum in games. This game was no different. There's always momentum swings. If you lose momentum, how do you get back? You get it back through execution and playing the next play, and you get it back just like that. That's what we were able to do there at the end. So, we haven't played our best football yet this season, but we've remained in the left-hand column. So, again, it's the same thing: it's the 24-hour rule and then we get back to work. We figure out what we need to do to correct some things, and then we move on to the next one.
Give Nebraska a lot of credit. I mean, Scott has been there for a few years and he's building the program They've gotten better and better each year. You saw last week in Norman, they took on Oklahoma on the road and they had a chance to win the game. What's that mean? It just means that every time you step on the field, it's going to be a physical four-quarter football game. You know, we told the players it was going to be a double mouthpiece game. That's what it was. I mean it was physical from the start all the way to the finish. We found a way to get it done. I'm so proud of our football team and I'm happy that we won the game. I told the players in the locker room it's not just football, but it symbolizes a life lesson: you just don't quit. Period. No matter what. You just keep going. I also told them it was bigger than just the player, coaches and staff in the locker room. This is big for Michigan State, the university, our university community. All of our fans and alumni across the country and across the world and our former players. Everyone is invested and we can feel the support from everyone. These types of wins – these are gut checks – can be transformational moments. So, we'll just see what's next for us. I know one thing: this team is very grounded. So, we'll go back to work and get ready for the next one.
On team defense stopping the Nebraska offense and continuing to grind…
We tell them to go out there, get a stop … when someone says this is what the defense is all about –defense is, it doesn't matter what's going on on offense, your job is to get a stop. It doesn't matter how long you're out there, you keep going out there [every play]. We got out there, we kept rolling through, we were really harping on them, 'just do your job' … when Scottie calls the defense call, you play the defense call, you make the plays that are presented to you, and eventually you're going to have the opportunity to make a play, and you just keep going. And our guys are really dialed in to that; there was no panic. The guys were just really into it, their body language was good. And the guys will keep saying to each other, 'Keep talking, Keep talking,' and when you can do that, you can get a lot done.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost
On what happened with the punt that was returned and what happened with the team after…Â
Pretty simple, that's a punt where we are supposed to kick the ball to the right sideline and the ball went to the left sideline.
On how to describe this loss…
We had a spirited talk in the locker room. I told the guys I don't want them hanging their heads. We got a really good football team. Little things need to change, and I kind of said it at halftime to the guys. I felt like I was watching the same movie again, and I told them they got to change the record. We can't have four false starts with the offensive linemen. Coach (Greg) Austin stands behind those guys every day at practice and gets the D-Line to shift. Everything we know how to do to keep them from doing it. They got to stay calm and do their job and not jump offsides, it probably cost us points in the first half. We got to punt the ball. We have guys at the university specifically for the reason to punt it and we have a couple 10 yard punts that almost cost us and right when we need it the most we kick it to the wrong side of the field and some of the coverage guys didn't see it and it cost us the game. I'm tired of it, we have a ton of guys that battled their butt off out there today. I told them I don't want anybody hanging their head, and we got a really good football team but this team has to change their record. I can't go out there and stay set for them, I can keep trying to fix it. These guys got to do it, and we got a good enough football team to do that. They got to get sick of this stuff. I'm sick of it; they are sick of it. We got to be able to count on guys when we need them to do their job.
On how well the defense played in the second half and developed some control…
A couple plays hurt us. When we went down and scored, I was really proud of the way the guys executed that drive and we got to finish the drive that just started the third quarter, a touchdown would have been nice. They got a good defense. I give that team a lot of credit but when we went down and scored and then got a stop, a couple first downs end it and right when we need it and as often as we practice our option stuff the ball is on the ground and it can't happen. And then the punt happens and that can't happen. These guys got to get sick of it enough to do stuff just perfect all the time and understand when you need it the most you fall back on your training you don't rise to the occasion you fall back on your training. I feel terrible for them because the defense is playing really well right now and we didn't have any business losing the game.
On a chance for a touchdown on the first play of overtime…
We got exactly what we wanted. We rehearsed that play. I think we had Levi running wide open up the seam, I think Omar had a chance in the back of the end zone. We didn't throw it.
On fixing special teams in the middle of the year…
The team has to be on guys to get stuff done. It wasn't just the punters. We got to catch punts. We probably gave up 300 yards of hidden yardage, 200-300 yards of hidden yardage in special teams. We didn't cover kicks well. The punt was huge and letting balls roll out on their punts was huge, that's a lot of yards you can't get back.
Michigan State redshirt junior WR Jayden Reed
On the punt return…
It was something we've been working on for a few weeks now. So we had to execute it when the coaches called it. Added a little decoy with (Jalen) Nailor, took the whole defense that way, so I give credit to Coach (Ross) Els and the special teams unit for opening that play up for me and being able to get in the end zone.
On the moment you thought it might work…
Probably about two seconds after it was punted. I saw a wave of guys in red and white go the other way and was like, 'Yup that's it.'
On the punt return…
Obviously that was an unreal feeling. It was great to see Spartan Nation sticking with us through the entire game. We played complimentary football. Both offense and defense played well. That's all what made it happen. Unreal seeing that.
Michigan State redshirt sophomore QB Payton ThroneÂ
On his thoughts of the punt return…
That was absolutely insane and just an amazing feeling. They actually got me because I'm not around special teams much in a week, so seeing Jalen (Nailor) wave his hand and not catching it on that side, it was a pretty amazing feeling. And like Jayden (Reed) said, credit to the whole special teams unit and credit to this guy (Jayden) for making it happen.
On the punt return…
For me, I try to think back on my career of playing and I honestly think that may be my first OT game that I played in. So, incredible feeling coming out of there with a win. Our defense played outstanding today, they made a great play in overtime and they just played great the whole day. Our special teams, especially a play like that, is huge. Outstanding. (It) Feels great to get out of here with a win.
On the Woodshed mentality leading up this week…
It was a physical game. I thought that our guys played physical and their guys played physical as well. They're a good team and I thought they played well.
Michigan State senior safety Xavier Henderson
On how they stayed physical despite being on the field a lot…
We never really felt like we didn't have a chance. There wasn't really any doubt. Coach Tucker always talks about not flinching. Yeah, we were out there for a long time but that's the way the game goes sometimes. It's our job to stop them. We were the ones letting them get first downs and letting them keep possession. But it just comes with staying at it. Keep chopping. And we never really felt like we were going to lose.
Michigan State junior cornerback Chester Kimbrough
On the interception…Â
I didn't really see anything, I just trusted my coverage. I'm proud of my team.
Â
Opening statement…
First, I want to thank our fans, they showed up big. They were a huge factor in this game, they brought the energy, and it was sustained energy. Our student section was loud, and we can feel the energy from our fans from start to finish. They were here early, they really helped sustain us and push this team, and that was big for us. That was an advantage for us in the game. We could see the false starts and things like that, which you call home-field advantage. It was a factor.
I'm proud of our football team because we found a way to get the job done and stay in the left-hand column. I've been on some really, really good teams, and oftentimes when you see the good teams, they are able to win games like this. They find a way. All week we were showing our players examples of how special teams were impacting games across the country, whether its punt, punt return, kickoff or kickoff return. We knew that our return game was on the verge of explosion. We popped a couple kickoff returns. Coach Els made a really good call on that last punt return, and then obviously Jayden Reed and those guys got the blocks we needed and got it in there.
It was a team win, but there was a lot of lessons to be learned. We talked to our team daily, constantly all throughout practice, all throughout meetings: just keep chopping, keep chopping wood, play the next play, play the next play. The most important thing is what you do next, and just keep going, keep going, keep going. That's how we train a certain mindset. It's relentless, which has two components: it's high velocity and it's non-stop. We're just not going to stop and we're going to find a way to get it done. Our guys, our coaches, our players, our entire organization believes that and believes in finding a way and trusting in our process. For turnovers, I think we're plus one. The last turnover we got was huge in the game. Huge. A big part of the special teams is field position and Bryce did a really nice job of punting the football. So, even when we were stalling out, we were able to line the punt, get it out of there and make them go a longer way, and give our defense a chance to stop them and things like that.
Our guys were very, very poised in the game, and we talked about never flinching. Just don't flinch no matter what, just stand in there and just take it and just keep going. We talk about that pendulum swinging back and forth, that pendulum of momentum in games. This game was no different. There's always momentum swings. If you lose momentum, how do you get back? You get it back through execution and playing the next play, and you get it back just like that. That's what we were able to do there at the end. So, we haven't played our best football yet this season, but we've remained in the left-hand column. So, again, it's the same thing: it's the 24-hour rule and then we get back to work. We figure out what we need to do to correct some things, and then we move on to the next one.
Give Nebraska a lot of credit. I mean, Scott has been there for a few years and he's building the program They've gotten better and better each year. You saw last week in Norman, they took on Oklahoma on the road and they had a chance to win the game. What's that mean? It just means that every time you step on the field, it's going to be a physical four-quarter football game. You know, we told the players it was going to be a double mouthpiece game. That's what it was. I mean it was physical from the start all the way to the finish. We found a way to get it done. I'm so proud of our football team and I'm happy that we won the game. I told the players in the locker room it's not just football, but it symbolizes a life lesson: you just don't quit. Period. No matter what. You just keep going. I also told them it was bigger than just the player, coaches and staff in the locker room. This is big for Michigan State, the university, our university community. All of our fans and alumni across the country and across the world and our former players. Everyone is invested and we can feel the support from everyone. These types of wins – these are gut checks – can be transformational moments. So, we'll just see what's next for us. I know one thing: this team is very grounded. So, we'll go back to work and get ready for the next one.
On team defense stopping the Nebraska offense and continuing to grind…
We tell them to go out there, get a stop … when someone says this is what the defense is all about –defense is, it doesn't matter what's going on on offense, your job is to get a stop. It doesn't matter how long you're out there, you keep going out there [every play]. We got out there, we kept rolling through, we were really harping on them, 'just do your job' … when Scottie calls the defense call, you play the defense call, you make the plays that are presented to you, and eventually you're going to have the opportunity to make a play, and you just keep going. And our guys are really dialed in to that; there was no panic. The guys were just really into it, their body language was good. And the guys will keep saying to each other, 'Keep talking, Keep talking,' and when you can do that, you can get a lot done.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost
On what happened with the punt that was returned and what happened with the team after…Â
Pretty simple, that's a punt where we are supposed to kick the ball to the right sideline and the ball went to the left sideline.
On how to describe this loss…
We had a spirited talk in the locker room. I told the guys I don't want them hanging their heads. We got a really good football team. Little things need to change, and I kind of said it at halftime to the guys. I felt like I was watching the same movie again, and I told them they got to change the record. We can't have four false starts with the offensive linemen. Coach (Greg) Austin stands behind those guys every day at practice and gets the D-Line to shift. Everything we know how to do to keep them from doing it. They got to stay calm and do their job and not jump offsides, it probably cost us points in the first half. We got to punt the ball. We have guys at the university specifically for the reason to punt it and we have a couple 10 yard punts that almost cost us and right when we need it the most we kick it to the wrong side of the field and some of the coverage guys didn't see it and it cost us the game. I'm tired of it, we have a ton of guys that battled their butt off out there today. I told them I don't want anybody hanging their head, and we got a really good football team but this team has to change their record. I can't go out there and stay set for them, I can keep trying to fix it. These guys got to do it, and we got a good enough football team to do that. They got to get sick of this stuff. I'm sick of it; they are sick of it. We got to be able to count on guys when we need them to do their job.
On how well the defense played in the second half and developed some control…
A couple plays hurt us. When we went down and scored, I was really proud of the way the guys executed that drive and we got to finish the drive that just started the third quarter, a touchdown would have been nice. They got a good defense. I give that team a lot of credit but when we went down and scored and then got a stop, a couple first downs end it and right when we need it and as often as we practice our option stuff the ball is on the ground and it can't happen. And then the punt happens and that can't happen. These guys got to get sick of it enough to do stuff just perfect all the time and understand when you need it the most you fall back on your training you don't rise to the occasion you fall back on your training. I feel terrible for them because the defense is playing really well right now and we didn't have any business losing the game.
On a chance for a touchdown on the first play of overtime…
We got exactly what we wanted. We rehearsed that play. I think we had Levi running wide open up the seam, I think Omar had a chance in the back of the end zone. We didn't throw it.
On fixing special teams in the middle of the year…
The team has to be on guys to get stuff done. It wasn't just the punters. We got to catch punts. We probably gave up 300 yards of hidden yardage, 200-300 yards of hidden yardage in special teams. We didn't cover kicks well. The punt was huge and letting balls roll out on their punts was huge, that's a lot of yards you can't get back.
Michigan State redshirt junior WR Jayden Reed
On the punt return…
It was something we've been working on for a few weeks now. So we had to execute it when the coaches called it. Added a little decoy with (Jalen) Nailor, took the whole defense that way, so I give credit to Coach (Ross) Els and the special teams unit for opening that play up for me and being able to get in the end zone.
On the moment you thought it might work…
Probably about two seconds after it was punted. I saw a wave of guys in red and white go the other way and was like, 'Yup that's it.'
On the punt return…
Obviously that was an unreal feeling. It was great to see Spartan Nation sticking with us through the entire game. We played complimentary football. Both offense and defense played well. That's all what made it happen. Unreal seeing that.
Michigan State redshirt sophomore QB Payton ThroneÂ
On his thoughts of the punt return…
That was absolutely insane and just an amazing feeling. They actually got me because I'm not around special teams much in a week, so seeing Jalen (Nailor) wave his hand and not catching it on that side, it was a pretty amazing feeling. And like Jayden (Reed) said, credit to the whole special teams unit and credit to this guy (Jayden) for making it happen.
On the punt return…
For me, I try to think back on my career of playing and I honestly think that may be my first OT game that I played in. So, incredible feeling coming out of there with a win. Our defense played outstanding today, they made a great play in overtime and they just played great the whole day. Our special teams, especially a play like that, is huge. Outstanding. (It) Feels great to get out of here with a win.
On the Woodshed mentality leading up this week…
It was a physical game. I thought that our guys played physical and their guys played physical as well. They're a good team and I thought they played well.
Michigan State senior safety Xavier Henderson
On how they stayed physical despite being on the field a lot…
We never really felt like we didn't have a chance. There wasn't really any doubt. Coach Tucker always talks about not flinching. Yeah, we were out there for a long time but that's the way the game goes sometimes. It's our job to stop them. We were the ones letting them get first downs and letting them keep possession. But it just comes with staying at it. Keep chopping. And we never really felt like we were going to lose.
Michigan State junior cornerback Chester Kimbrough
On the interception…Â
I didn't really see anything, I just trusted my coverage. I'm proud of my team.
Â
Players Mentioned
Jonathan Smith | Football Press Conference | Sep. 8 2025
Monday, September 08
Jonathan Smith Post Game Comments | BC | Sep. 7 2025
Sunday, September 07
Jonathan Smith | Football Press Conference | Sep. 1 2025
Monday, September 01
Jonathan Smith Post Game Comments | WMU | Aug. 29 2025
Friday, August 29