Lee, Green, Martinez vie for Husker QB position

It's generally conceded that the competition for the starting quarterback job is a two-man race between Zac Lee and Cody Green.

But for one day in spring, at least, Taylor Martinez put his name into the discussion.

Martinez, a redshirt freshman from Corona, Calif., started for the Red team in place of the injured Lee and impressed with both his passing and running abilities. He completed five of his nine passing attempts for 79 yards and two touchdowns and ran nine times for a game-high 60 yards.

"Taylor's a good athlete, and I think he can run and throw," NU head coach Bo Pelini said. "He's a pretty multitalented kid, as is Cody. I like the athleticism at the quarterback position."

It was obvious right away that the offense would be different with Martinez in the game.

The young signal caller's best traits are his speed and athleticism, and the coaches took advantage of both early. During the four drives that Martinez quarterbacked, the Red team ran just three plays under center.

The coaches opted instead to put Martinez in the shotgun formation with multiple receivers, spreading the defense out and opening running lanes.

"The quarterback run game is an important element of our offense," offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said. "To be a quarterback on offense you have to be a guy who can throw the ball. You have to be able to run, too, because that gives you another element."

Martinez at times appeared to rely on his running ability, particularly when pressured. He tucked the ball down and ran on the Red's first four passing plays.

But the freshman showed off his arm more as the game went on. He found fullback Tyler Legate in the back of the end zone for the game's first score, and later hit wideout Brandon Kinnie with a 36-yard scoring pass.

Martinez did make a few questionable decisions in his first real playing time, including a deflection that was eventually picked off by Rickey Thenarse.

Running back Rex Burkhead, who started alongside Martinez in the Red backfield, said the offense is more wide-open with the freshman on the field.

"There's a lot more running. Playing with him really opens up things and keeps the defense guessing," Burkhead said. "Obviously, he can take off at any time. That makes a big difference."

Mobile quarterbacks have become a trend in college football, sparked by the success of athletic passers such as Texas' Vince Young and West Virginia's Pat White.

Because of the success of those players, Nebraska has also turned to more versatile players at quarterback like Green, Martinez and Lee.

"It gives you a chance with a playmaker at quarterback to create big plays. It's an important part, and we've evolved," Watson said.

Over the years, NU has seen scores of players perform well in the spring game, only to struggle to see the field once fall rolls around. Martinez's lack of playing time won't help his cause. But while Lee and Green both have starting experience, Watson insists the quarterback race is wide open at this point.

"We're putting them all in it, and may the best man win," Watson said. "(Martinez is) an instinctive runner. If something breaks down, he can make something big for our offense and he can hurt a defense. That's what he's brought to the table since he's been here. He's just getting better and better as a passer. I'm really pleased with his progress."

 danhoppen@dailynebraskan.com