D.J. Byrd speaks for the first time since being charged with public intoxication

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - For the first time since being charged with public intoxication, D.J. Byrd spoke about his arrest and trying to move on from the situation.

As he sat and watched his teammates battle the Spartans for 40 minutes this past weekend, one thought never left his mind. He was proud of the way the Boilers responded without his services.

"I thought we played really well. There was a stretch there where Michigan State was really good and they knocked down some shots and had some key plays. But I thought our guys played really well. As for me, it was very difficult and I just tried to do what I could and provide encouragement. I tried to do everything I could. I talked to players and everything knowing that I couldn't be out there. But that is over and that is behind us and we have to make a run from here on out," said Junior D.J. Byrd.

After a frustrating 76-62 loss on Sunday to the Michigan State Spartans, the Purdue men's basketball team will try to move on with the help of junior guard/forward D.J. Byrd. The Nebraska Cornhuskers come to West Lafayette for the first time since the 1979-1980 season and this time as a member of the Big Ten Conference.

Byrd and the Boilermakers hope to turn the page quickly on last week's debacle and win a game everyone involved is called a must-win for Purdue.

"We are getting to that point and time where we need to get some wins and obviously what happened Thursday was unfortunate and disappointing for everyone and I think we just need to go out and play," said senior forward Robbie Hummel.

As for Byrd, it was a learning experience and one that he will not soon forget about.

"It's just taking responsibilities for your actions and being accountable and when everybody does that, it is just easier to learn from that situation. I have moved on and I have learned from that situation and I'm super excited to play. It is unfortunate everything that happened but it's behind us now and I'm ready to come out here and give it my all," said Byrd.

It's too early to tell if Byrd will be put back into the starting lineup against Nebraska but his teammates know when he steps back onto the floor, he will be ready to go.

"He is going to be hyped up and ready to go, no one likes to sit out a game and especially under the terms that he had to. So I know he will come out ready," said senior Ryne Smith.

Tip is set for 6:30 against Nebraska and the game will be televised by the Big Ten Network.