Scott Frost clarifies comments on Nebraska offensive line

It’s officially a game week for Nebraska, with the Cornhuskers having a crucial Week 0 matchup against Northwestern on Saturday. Some controversy has followed head coach Scott Frost to Dublin after he made comments on the offensive line vomiting 15-20 a practice. Based on the remarks, offensive line coach Donovan Raiola has been working them hard.

Frost clarified his comments on Sunday, saying he “might have exaggerated a little bit” on how often the offensive lineman are vomiting. The head coach was just trying to show the commitment the players are making, even expressing how proud he was of their efforts.

“Our training staff and weight staff of keeping me abreast of everything going on in practice,” Frost said.

Frost was speaking on the impact Raiola has made on the program when making the comments. The vomiting is not because of their fitness level but because of the type of workouts Raiola is putting them through.

“It’s not because they’re not in shape – he’s just working them hard,” Frost said, via the Omaha World-Herald’s Evan Bland. “I think they love it. He’s kind of freed them up to go be aggressive and I love the way they’re coming off the ball.”

Raiola was brought to Lincoln this offseason, being part of a coaching overhaul at Nebraska. Previously, he has been an assistant offensive line coach with the Chicago Bears, with this being his first full-time collegiate job. Notre Dame also had Raiola on their staff at one point but he was a graduate assistant.

Protecting quarterback Casey Thompson will be crucial for the Cornhuskers all season. Nebraska struggled against pass rush last season, allowing the sixth most sacks in the Big Ten with 29. Raiola is clearly working the unit hard, even if Frost’s comments were misguided.

ESPN writer upset over Scott Frost vomiting comments

When Frost made the comments, waves were made on social media on Friday, and a variety of opinions rolled in. One came from an ESPN writer — and he has a unique perspective on the situation.

Kevin Seifert covers the Minnesota Vikings for ESPN and previously did so for the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. In 2001, Vikings offensive lineman Korey Stringer died at age 27 of complications related to heat stroke, and Seifert covered that story. He retweeted a quote about Frost’s comments from Thursday’s edition of Husker Sports Nightly and blasted the Cornhuskers coach for bragging about players throwing up at practice.

“An absurd and embarrassing thing to brag about,” Seifert tweeted. “I hope this is a joke. I covered the death of an NFL player from heat stroke that was caused (and indicated) in part by vomiting during practice. You see that happen once and you don’t need a reminder. Just stop it.”