Here are some quick catches and reactions after Monday’s press conference as the Huskers prepare for Iowa.

Here are some quick takes and reactions from Monday’s football press conference in Nebraska as the Huskers prepare for Friday’s game in Iowa.

Nebraska has only won two consecutive conference games once since 2018 for a reason. Victories in the Big Ten are not easy to obtain, and the Huskers have once again learned that lesson last Saturday against Illinois.

We spoke to several NU players on Monday as they prepare for their Black Friday game in Iowa. Probably the most disheartening thing is that many players have now admitted that they have had a week of half-hearted training.

There was this mentality that they could just go through the moves during the week and win again on Saturday. Well we all know how it happened.

Junior wide receiver Kade Warner even said things Monday that the guys weren’t rushing their roads, and it hurt quarterback Luke McCaffrey with his timing and confidence to pitch on Saturday.

It’s safe to say that has to change this week in Iowa. The best question is, can this change?

I know Nebraska head coach Scott Frost said on Monday that he won’t make a decision on his starting quarterback until Friday.

But I found his comments regarding Luke McCaffrey and Adrian Martinez to be very revealing. Frost McCaffrey called the “future” as he said that Martinez is now playing with much more “chip on his shoulder.”

Then he referred to how, when he was benched for a streak or two for Frankie London in 1997, how it put a chip on his shoulder. He remembers being booed on his return, and it helped him play better.

Judging from the way Martinez performed in his nine action shots on Saturday against Illinois, you get the feeling Frost liked what he saw. Today my money is on Martinez who gets the nod against Iowa.

I think Frost knows how good McCaffrey can and will be someday, but for now Martinez is giving them a better chance to run the whole offense.

Much has been said about Nebraska’s third defense. The teams converted 34 of 63 (54%) third downs against the Blackshirts. In comparison, NU’s breach only covered 16 out of 50 (32%) of their third-drop conversions.

However, I thought senior linebacker JoJo Domann put it better on Monday. Playing a good defense on the third down is more about the first and second down.

There have been way too many third and short situations for defense, and that’s why you see teams converting at such a high rate.

Rarely have we seen a lot of third and long run situations where teams are put in obvious overtaking situations.

There is not one person associated with Nebraska football who is happy with the current situation.

Saturday’s loss to Illinois was a big blow. It was a huge step backwards, and something people didn’t expect to happen in Frost’s third year.

That is why these next three weeks with games in Iowa, Purdue and at home against Minnesota are so crucial. This will be a defining stretch for Frost and where this program ultimately goes.

Yes, we know there are young talent in this program, but sooner or later things have to break through. The pressure is strong for these next three games. There is no other way to tell.