PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Adrian Martinez, the freshman dual-threat gunslinger, threw for 266 yards and a score on 22-of-33 passing against Ohio State while also rushing for 72 yards and a touchdown. His efforts, despite the loss, earned him Big Ten Freshman of the Week recognition.
“It is definitely an honor to receive that award,” Martinez said.
“As well as our team played I feel like I could have played a lot better. Knowing I left some points out there on the field, there is so much room for improvement. We could be better than we are right now. I don’t believe in moral victories. Just learning from that experience. Our team fought. I think it’s just learning we can really play with any team in the country.”
–RB Maurice Washington is another threat out of the backfield for Nebraska. The freshman out of Stockton, Calif., has 360 rushing yards on 66 carries this season with three touchdowns. He’s two games removed from a 109-yard effort against Minnesota, which came on 14 carries. Washington has also been one of the primary kick returners for the Cornhuskers.
“Maurice is going to be fine,” coach Scott Frost said. “I don’t think there’s a moment that’s too big for him. His biggest issue, I’ve said this all year, is he needs a year in the weight room and a year to get bigger and stronger and a little more durable.”
–WR J.D. Spielman has seen his yardage totals take a backseat to Stanley Morgan Jr. over the last few weeks, but he hauled in six catches for 61 yards and the lone aerial score for the Cornhuskers against Ohio State. However, coach Scott Frost lamented at the lack of depth on the perimeter behind Spielman and Morgan.
“I’m a little surprised. We’re going to play the guy that we think gives us the best chance, and we’ve been waiting for someone to really step up and take it and at times certain guys have done good things and other times other guys,” Frost said.
“We need more weapons on the field and we’ll keep searching until somebody steps up and takes that spot.”
SERIES HISTORY: Nebraska leads Illinois 11-3-1. The Cornhuskers are also riding a two-game winning streak in the series.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “In the case of Ohio State, I think we had a couple of missed opportunities, some third-down conversions that might need to be a little bit better. Just fine-tuning those little details, especially in the Big Ten those little things count and can show up in big games.” — Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez on the little things mattering in big games