Pelini: Martinez can't think 'big play' on every down - OWH
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Pelini: Martinez can't think 'big play' on every down
By Rich Kaipust
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU
LINCOLN — Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said Monday that Taylor Martinez maybe tried to do too much Saturday night when Wisconsin was guarding against letting him do that very thing.
Tim Beck thinks he knows why.
And believes it also had to do with Martinez revealing that he was wary of some criticism after the 48-17 loss that included three interceptions and a fumble by the sophomore quarterback.
"You try, but it's hard, because everywhere he turns it's all about him," said Beck, the Huskers' offensive coordinator. "The whole game was built up as him vs. Russell Wilson. I tried to talk to him before the game and (said), 'Don't make it that. It's Nebraska vs. Wisconsin.' "
Once it gained the lead Saturday night — thanks to Wilson taking over — Wisconsin concentrated on containing Martinez, went heavy with coverage, challenged him to read it ... and dared him to throw into it.
Martinez still tried to make some things happen downfield, and now a lesson will need to be learned before other defenses choose the same course as the Badgers in the future.
"I think he needs to let the game come to him," Pelini said. "He needs to take what's given. He needs to make his reads and not try to make a big play every time — whether he's running, whether he's reading, whether he's throwing the football.
"At times I think he gets impatient. I think he thinks he's got to win the game himself. That's part of the growth of a quarterback. You're not going to make a big play on every down."
Nebraska put Martinez in some of those positions at UW when Beck chose to start throwing the ball after the Huskers' first three series. After Martinez threw his first interception — and the Badgers turned it into points — Beck said he was sure his quarterback felt like he had to make a play to get it back.
"Any competitive driven athlete that likes to win sometimes feels that they can do more than they can do," Beck said.
Martinez threw his three interceptions in a span of seven offensive snaps. In the process, Nebraska went from leading 14-13 to trailing 34-14.
Of those interceptions, Martinez said Monday: "I just got to make better decisions."
Martinez said he believes he does a "good job" reading defenses. When asked if the general public might disagree, Martinez shrugged at the possible perception.
"That's fine," he said. "You guys rip me anyway, so it really doesn't matter."
Martinez told reporters he doesn't read what's written about him but that "I hear it from other people." His brief media segment then ended after a little more than three minutes.
The second-year starter is completing 50.5 percent of his passes through five games. After running for 135, 166 and 83 yards in the Huskers' first three games, he has been limited to 37 and 61 the past two.
But he started out 5 of 7 passing for 90 yards Saturday night as the Huskers tried to establish a running game and mix the pass against the Badgers. NU then managed just 14 rushing yards on its next four possessions as the game turned.
Senior receiver Brandon Kinnie said the Huskers continue to have "100 percent faith" in Martinez.
"Like I said, it was just a few mistakes that he had, but he'll be fine," Kinnie said. "Quarterbacks make mistakes. That's what happens. He'll be fine from it. He'll learn, watch the film and get better. We're all on board."
Beck firmly said Saturday night that no consideration was given to replacing Martinez when he was struggling. Pelini on Monday said "pretty wide" when asked what the gap was between Martinez and backup Brion Carnes, a redshirt freshman who has played briefly in two games.
"Let's face it, the quarterback position's always going to be under the microscope," Pelini said. "Trust me, Taylor had a couple throws that he would like back the other night, a couple things he did he'd like back. But when you look at what he has done over the bulk of the season, I'm glad he is our quarterback."
Pelini: Martinez can't think 'big play' on every down
By Rich Kaipust
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU
LINCOLN — Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said Monday that Taylor Martinez maybe tried to do too much Saturday night when Wisconsin was guarding against letting him do that very thing.
Tim Beck thinks he knows why.
And believes it also had to do with Martinez revealing that he was wary of some criticism after the 48-17 loss that included three interceptions and a fumble by the sophomore quarterback.
"You try, but it's hard, because everywhere he turns it's all about him," said Beck, the Huskers' offensive coordinator. "The whole game was built up as him vs. Russell Wilson. I tried to talk to him before the game and (said), 'Don't make it that. It's Nebraska vs. Wisconsin.' "
Once it gained the lead Saturday night — thanks to Wilson taking over — Wisconsin concentrated on containing Martinez, went heavy with coverage, challenged him to read it ... and dared him to throw into it.
Martinez still tried to make some things happen downfield, and now a lesson will need to be learned before other defenses choose the same course as the Badgers in the future.
"I think he needs to let the game come to him," Pelini said. "He needs to take what's given. He needs to make his reads and not try to make a big play every time — whether he's running, whether he's reading, whether he's throwing the football.
"At times I think he gets impatient. I think he thinks he's got to win the game himself. That's part of the growth of a quarterback. You're not going to make a big play on every down."
Nebraska put Martinez in some of those positions at UW when Beck chose to start throwing the ball after the Huskers' first three series. After Martinez threw his first interception — and the Badgers turned it into points — Beck said he was sure his quarterback felt like he had to make a play to get it back.
"Any competitive driven athlete that likes to win sometimes feels that they can do more than they can do," Beck said.
Martinez threw his three interceptions in a span of seven offensive snaps. In the process, Nebraska went from leading 14-13 to trailing 34-14.
Of those interceptions, Martinez said Monday: "I just got to make better decisions."
Martinez said he believes he does a "good job" reading defenses. When asked if the general public might disagree, Martinez shrugged at the possible perception.
"That's fine," he said. "You guys rip me anyway, so it really doesn't matter."
Martinez told reporters he doesn't read what's written about him but that "I hear it from other people." His brief media segment then ended after a little more than three minutes.
The second-year starter is completing 50.5 percent of his passes through five games. After running for 135, 166 and 83 yards in the Huskers' first three games, he has been limited to 37 and 61 the past two.
But he started out 5 of 7 passing for 90 yards Saturday night as the Huskers tried to establish a running game and mix the pass against the Badgers. NU then managed just 14 rushing yards on its next four possessions as the game turned.
Senior receiver Brandon Kinnie said the Huskers continue to have "100 percent faith" in Martinez.
"Like I said, it was just a few mistakes that he had, but he'll be fine," Kinnie said. "Quarterbacks make mistakes. That's what happens. He'll be fine from it. He'll learn, watch the film and get better. We're all on board."
Beck firmly said Saturday night that no consideration was given to replacing Martinez when he was struggling. Pelini on Monday said "pretty wide" when asked what the gap was between Martinez and backup Brion Carnes, a redshirt freshman who has played briefly in two games.
"Let's face it, the quarterback position's always going to be under the microscope," Pelini said. "Trust me, Taylor had a couple throws that he would like back the other night, a couple things he did he'd like back. But when you look at what he has done over the bulk of the season, I'm glad he is our quarterback."
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