Huge task awaits Cornhuskers in Columbus
The Nebraska Cornhuskers, who started the season with six straight losses, find themselves on a two-game winning streak following Saturday’s 45-9 walloping of Bethune-Cookman.
Extending that streak to three games, though, is a tall order as the Cornhuskers (2-6, 1-4 Big Ten) face No. 8 Ohio State (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten) on Saturday.
“There’s no question they’re a really talented team, a really well-coached team, and I don’t have any doubt we’re going to get their best shot after a loss two weeks ago and two weeks of practice and grinding,” Nebraska head coach Scott Frost said.
“They’ve got their back to the wall and our guys know they have to be ready because we’re going to see the best of what they’ve got.”
Nebraska hopes to race out of the gate against the Buckeyes to instill hope of an upset.
“That’ll be valuable, particularly with circumstances of this game,” Frost said. “I foresee their team coming out and playing with their hair on fire right at the beginning. We need to be able to withstand that initial surge and play well at the beginning.”
It will be the biggest test yet for freshman quarterback Adrian Martinez, although he hopes high-profile outings against Wisconsin and Michigan have left him battle-tested. He passed for 384 yards in the loss to the Badgers. Last week against Bethune-Cookman, Martinez threw for 213 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception, on 15-of-22 passing.
“We’ve played in some pretty tough environments already and I took an official visit to Ohio State, so I’ve been to Columbus before,” Martinez said. “I feel prepared to handle that environment.”
And his home crowd is pretty big and loud, too.
“I feel like Memorial Stadium is so loud and it’s a tremendous environment,” he said. “And obviously the Big House was spectacular as well. But, I feel ready, I know the team is ready. I don’t feel nervous about being in front of big crowds. That’s kind of the last thing that’s on my mind and will be on Saturday.”
Nebraska and Ohio State kickoff at noon ET.