Mike Riley
Nebraska coach Mike Riley says there are question marks heading into ever season opener and Saturday night’s game against Arkansas State is no different. The Huskers have plenty of experience back on both sides of the ball but will debut a new 3-4 defense installed by first-year defensive coordinator Bob Diaco and it will be the first start at quarterback for junior Tanner Lee.
Riley says the Tulane transfer is ready for the pressure that comes with being the starting quarterback at Nebraska.
“That’s why he came here”, said Riley. “This arena and this kind of place is what he wanted to put himself in and I appreciate that about him.”
After sitting out last season Lee is excited for his debut in a Husker uniform.
“I have just got to focus on playing football”, said Lee. “We are all going to be excited because it was a long summer with a lot of hard work. I am really excited for this team and it is really cool to be part of something like this.”
The Red Wolves ended last year as one of the nation’s hottest teams, winning eight of their final nine games en route to earning their fifth Sun Belt title in six seasons. Arkansas State has played in a bowl game each of the past six seasons.
Saturday night’s game is the third meeting between the two schools, all at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska was victorious in 2009 and 2012 matchups with the Red Wolves in Lincoln.
Kickoff is 7:00p.m. and the game will be carried by the Big Ten Network.