LINCOLN, Neb. (KMTV) — After a convincing win over Northern Illinois to conclude non-conference play, the Nebraska football team will now try to carry that momentum into Big Ten play starting this Saturday at Illinois.
"We're just trying to keep it going," said junior linebacker Collin Miller. "Big Ten Conference is coming up so we've got a big test now. Bigger, stronger guys going up against. But we just want to show everybody that what you guys see is what you guys got."
The Big Red takes a 2-1 record into league play, where the Huskers were picked to win the West in the preseason.
"I think it's very important to start 1-0," said sophomore quarterback Adrian Martinez. "The people that have been here and maybe the young guys that haven't, it's my job, the leadership crew, to let those guys know it's the Big Ten. Everyone's going to be good. Everyone's going to be solid. You have to come ready to play or you're going to get beat."
"I feel like the intensity's going to kick up another notch," said senior defensive lineman Darrion Daniels. "Every game we've seen more and more of our potential. And it has increased our performance. I feel like going into conference, it just throws fuel to the fire."
Nebraska's quest for a Big Ten title begins Saturday night in Champaign as the Huskers try to end a 0-6 mark on the road under Scott Frost.
"I'm looking forward to going on the road," said Frost. "We've been close on the road a few times since I've been here and haven't finished one. So if we get that opportunity Saturday, I want to see our guys see it through to the end.
"It's in the back of our head this week," said MIller. "Since Frost has been here, we haven't won a road game. We want to come into Illinois and knock that off. I think it gives you a little motivation. So I think we want to go in there and prove that we're here to play ball now."
Saturday's game starts at 7 p.m. on BTN.
