Bo Pelini appeared to question his decision to pull Redshirt Freshman QB Taylor Martinez in the third quarter against Texas last weekend. Senior Zac Lee came in with a "calming influence" to settle the team down. While not the explosive play maker Martinez has shown at times this season, Lee was able to move the ball in smaller chunks, and with a little more consistency. Instead of using just one quarterback or the other, Pelini should not question his decision and look at a third option. Mixing in both players at different times in a game, and even on the same plays could be the best approach.
For this type of system to work, the coaches should certainly look at why it didn't work last year to pull Lee and put Cody Green in at times. Green did not have the benefit of a year in the football program like Martinez, and Green did not appear to catch up with the game speed. Martinez, while still seeing the field for the first time this year, is more like Rex Burkhead was last year. His athletic abilities were enough to make him react to the defenders and break the big ones. Green's straight line speeds may be better, but his explosiveness cannot match the potential breakaways that Martinez brings every time he touches the ball.
It's clear that many college football programs have taken advantage of getting the ball into the hands of the most athletic player on the field on as many plays as possible. Guys like Martinez, Dennard Robinson, Cam Newton, and countless other "athlete" quarterbacks are now the first one to touch the ball on a play (right after the center). It's no mystery why many coaches employ the wildcat, as it gives one of the best players on a team the extra second with the ball before the defenses can react.
A two quarterback system is nothing new, either. Just look at Florida with Chris Leak and Tim Tebow. It seemed unique to bring in a shotgun spread quarterback for goal line and short yardage situations, but it wasn't the first time a team utilized both running and passing oriented types of quarterbacks. Nebraska has utilized guys like Brook Berringer, Matt Turman, and Tommie Frazier all at multiple times in the same season. And while often times it may be a necessity due to injury, taking advantage of strength of a couple of guys is not a bad idea.
When utilizing a Freshman quarterback, there are bound to be some growing pains. Utilizing the experience and "calm" surrounding an experienced senior leader is one way to alleviate some of those issues. When both players understand that they each have a vital role in helping the team win as many games as possible, it can remove the hurt and and concern each individual player may have about not starting or playing a whole game. With Lee and Martinez both a part of the game plan, it gives the Huskers a better chance to win this season, not just build experience for Martinez in future seasons.
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