Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Nebraska Football: Can Huskers end bowl drought in Year 3 of Scott Frost era?

By Aaron Gershon

CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 21: Wan'Dale Robinson #1 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers runs the ball during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 21: Wan'Dale Robinson #1 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers runs the ball during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Nebraska football
Adrian Martinez, Nebraska football (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Will Adrian Martinez finally live up to the hype?

Nebraska’s offense will be looking for a breakthrough in 2020 as they enter their third season with Adrian Martinez under center.

Martinez had a stellar freshman campaign in 2018, completing 65 percent of his passes for 2,617 yards for 17 touchdowns on just eight interceptions while adding 629 yards and eight scores on the ground. This earned him high praise entering his sophomore season, even appearing on some Heisman watch lists.

Instead, 2019 was a struggle as his completion rate dropped to 59 percent while throwing for 1,956 yards for 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions. His rushing numbers stayed about the same at 626 yards and seven scores. In order for the Huskers to end their bowl drought, they will need the Martinez from 2018 as opposed to last season.

As for Martinez’s weapons, Nebraska will be without their leading receiver from 2019 in JD Spielman who hauled in 49 passes for 898 yards and five touchdowns as he announced that he would be transferring to TCU.

The Huskers do break back versatile rusher Wan’Dale Robinson, who caught 40 passes for 453 yards and two scores while rushing for 375 yards and three scores as a true freshman last season. The team also brings back one of the Big Ten’s most productive tight ends in Jack Stool, who had 25 catches for 234 yards and a score last season.

At running back, Robinson will be joined by rising senior Dedrick Mills, who led the Huskers with 769 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Dual-threat quarterback and Wildcat formation threat Luke McCaffrey (younger brother of Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey) also returns after rushing for 166 yards and a score as a freshman last season.

In all, Nebraska’s finished 55th in the nation in total offense last season by averaging 415.8 yards per game. They have a great chance to improve and become one of the Big Ten’s top offenses if Martinez can improve and the Huskers can find a reliable Spielman replacement.

Home/Nebraska Cornhuskers