Nebraska Cornhuskers

Huskers' Riley has team ready after first bye week

Published Nov. 23, 2015 7:52 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Nebraska Cornhuskers are coming off their first bye week of the long season as they head into a huge matchup with the undefeated Iowa Hawkeyes.

For a team that has had so many injuries to many key players in 2015, it was a very welcome time to get the extra rest. The mental break had to be nice too for a team that has been going non-stop since fall camp.

Head Coach Mike Riley was asked about the advantages of finally getting that bye week:

“I think the things that are more obvious about the bye week, they’re not surprising. I think that our guys have basically gone through all of camp and 11 straight games. It probably felt good just in a lot of ways. We all understand the physical part of it. I think all of our guys' bodies are feeling pretty good right now in general. Some of the injured have been able to come back."

"I think as much as anything, taking two or three days with a mental break, I think that part of it is good too. I’m hopeful this is just a good preparation for this team. I find ways to worry all the time. We had more of a regular day five lead up to the game jog through yesterday. I’m anxious to get more full speed practice today and have two good days like that before we head into day two.”

Riley performed well at Oregon State coming off bye weeks and will need to keep that magic going to get his Huskers bowl eligible in his first season.