Entering fall camp with the 'GABOS' attitude

“It’s time to win. There is no sympathy.”

Tommi Hill carries the ball against Purdue in 2023. (Photo courtesy Nebraska Athletics)

“It’s time to win. There is no sympathy.”

Those were Tommi Hill’s words at Nebraska’s senior retreat two months ago. The senior defensive back, according to coach Matt Rhule, addressed the team at the retreat and shared that sentiment with the group.

But there was more to it, of course. Hill, when asked about it Tuesday during Nebraska’s pre-training camp media availability, said Rhule had approached the Nebraska seniors about what they believed the Huskers needed to do to succeed this season.

“I told him truthfully — and I know I can talk to him as a man — don’t share no sympathy,” Hill said. “I always had a phrase in my head. It’s ‘GABOS — game ain’t based on sympathy.’ It just feels like if you play at a high standard and you make good plays or bad plays, you won't be emotional.”

With four and a half weeks until the season opener against UTEP on Saturday, Aug. 31, Nebraska’s head coach, coordinators and a dozen athletes spoke about what’s ahead for the Huskers. It included a lot of the usual talk you hear this time of year — competition and accountability are always the buzzwords — because that’s what you can expect right now. Excitement is high, as it should be.

But there was more to it than that. Through the buzzwords, there were moments that better provided a glimpse at what’s ahead over these next four and a half weeks and into the season.

Let’s dive in.