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Nebraska Football: Adrian Martinez gives fans hope for future

By Leigh Oleszczak

MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 06: Adrian Martinez #2 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers throws a pass in the second quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 06: Adrian Martinez #2 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers throws a pass in the second quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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Nebraska football is 0-5, but if there’s anything the Cornhuskers should hang their hats on, it’s that quarterback Adrian Martinez looks to be the real deal for Big Red.

Starting 0-5 isn’t fun, but Nebraska football should be excited about what the future has in store for true freshman quarterback Adrian Martinez. Yes, Nebraska lost by double digits again on Saturday, but Martinez was a bright spot in the loss.

The freshman signal caller ended the day going 24 of 42 for 384 yards and two touchdowns. He also did damage with his legs, totaling 57 yards off of 13 carries and finding the end zone on the ground one time. Martinez has been electric.

There have been growing pains with Martinez, namely him turning the ball over, but it’s obvious this kid can play and has what it takes to become a really special player for Nebraska. He’s now thrown for 532 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions through four starts while rushing for 196 yards and two touchdowns.

Sure, it’s easy to focus on the negatives right now because the team is still winless through the first month of the season, but Martinez gives this offense the pop they need. He kept Nebraska in the game when it looked bleak at half time, totaling 21 points in the second half of the game.

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Martinez first showed the nation what he was capable of in the season opener against Colorado where he was dominant as a runner. I stand by the sentiment that had the freshman not gotten injured in that game, the Huskers win the game and we’re in a completely different boat right now.

Had Martinez not been injured in the season opener, he’d have been able to play against Troy and that game is a different outcome. He’d also have been healthier against Michigan, but that game is still probably a beatdown.

The good news now, however, is that Martinez is looking like he did in that first game again and that’s big for a program needing all of the positivity they can get. Adrian Martinez isn’t going to lead Nebraska to a Big Ten title this year, but he’s getting key experience and this team is going to get better moving forward.

If the defense can make more stops and Martinez and the offense can get things clicking earlier, the Huskers will have a chance to win some games in these next few weeks. Now that the Husker quarterback has gotten warmed up, however, I’m feeling much better for this next stretch of the season.

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