The fifth-year senior offensive lineman looked out into a room full of reporters with his piercing blue eyes Thursday afternoon and delivered the type of sermon the Church of Husker Nation longs to hear when the long offseason comes to an end.
This offseason, and this start of fall practice, are different, of course. There has always been excitement from the fan base. There has always been renewed enthusiasm from players and coaches.
"I don't just want to win the Big Ten championship. I want to win THE championship. That's my goal," the 6-foot-4, 325-pounder said. "You say, is that a realistic goal?