Nebraska left tackle Nick Gates' first session with the media this spring couldn't have been easy for him.
Addressing about a dozen reporters following Thursday's practice — the eighth of the spring — the junior from Las Vegas said his struggles in the Music City Bowl against Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett had a profound impact on him, and could be the impetus to improvement in 2017.
"That definitely taught me a lesson," Gates said. "I think I needed that lesson to be taught, too. I think it was good for me in the end."
Although Barnett finished the bowl with only one sack, he spent an inordinate amount of time in the Nebraska backfield, applying constant pressure on backup quarterback Ryker Fyfe.