Last Saturday, ESPN announcer Ron Franklin declared during Missouri’s season opener against Illinois that he didn’t know who Zac Lee was.
Perhaps Franklin will know who Nebraska’s quarterback is now.
Though he may not be a household name to those outside the state, Lee’s performance against Arkansas State on Saturday afternoon might prevent him from going under the radar for much longer.
Lee led a pass-heavy attack for NU, throwing for 340 yards and four touchdowns and zero interceptions in the Huskers’ 38-9 win. Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson called the performance “almost flawless.”
“Zac was just lights-out,” Watson said. “This kid can throw it, he can run it - he can do everything. He’s an exceptional player.”
When ASU emphasized its run defense early on and stacked defenders in an effort to slow down I-back Roy Helu Jr., Lee took to the air.
Watson wanted better tempo and a faster start to the game from NU’s offense, and Lee delivered with an eight-play, 80-yard opening drive capped off by a 3-yard touchdown catch by fullback Tyler Legate.
On his second drive, Lee led the Huskers on another 80-yard march down the field and hit tight end Mike McNeill on a 13-yard touchdown strike. The junior quarterback completed eight of nine passes for 111 yards on his first two possessions.
“We got in a real rhythm today, and the kids did a great job of executing,” Watson said. “When they execute, I stay in a rhythm. And when I stay in a rhythm, they stay in a rhythm, and we all have a pretty nice dance.”
Lee completed 27 of his 35 passes and hooked up with 11 different receivers on the day.
“We all understand what our offense is trying to do,” Lee said. “Guys are getting open, and we’re finding them. That’s the name of the game. Whoever’s open has to get the ball.”
Coach Bo Pelini said he likes what he’s seen from the offense thus far and “loved” the squad’s energy to start the game.
“I really like how he’s playing,” Pelini said of Lee. “I thought he spread the ball around well, and he played really well.”
The defensive emphasis on stopping Helu Jr. – who rushed for 60 yards on the day – allowed NU to take advantage of mismatches throughout the game.
“If they’re going to cover you in man, that should be an insult to receivers,” wideout Menelik Holt said. “You’ve got to be able to get open, and we were able to today. We had to take it to the air and execute there.”
Arkansas State coach Steve Roberts had nothing but praise for Lee’s performance and said NU’s ability to mix runs into its passing attack kept the Red Wolves “off balance” throughout the game.
“Their quarterback had a heck of a night,” Roberts said. “He was on fire. We tried to play them as balanced as we possibly could, and I thought they took advantage of some things.”
Though Lee came into the season as a bit of a question mark for the No. 19 Huskers, he has operated the offense with confidence and earned the respect and trust of Watson.
“The thing I like about him the most is he’s so doggone efficient and poised,” he said. “He doesn’t get rattled about anything. He’s just an unbelievable student of the game.”
Lee’s ability to handle the demands of his position will be tested at Virginia Tech this weekend.
The No. 13 Hokies gave NU’s offense fits during its 35-30 win over the Huskers last year with a variety of looks, but Watson is confident Lee has what it takes to handle the pressure of his first career road start.
“None of that stuff’s going to bother him,” Watson said. “He is a cool dude. He’s been raised by a professional football player, and he gets it. Zac’s a ball player. We know we’re playing a great program, but we’ll continue to keep doing what we do.”
It’ll be Lee’s first appearance on a national stage — that is, unless you include that Missouri game last week.
Lee’s name appeared on the back of a T-shirt worn by a family member of Tigers linebacker Sean Weatherspoon. The shirt displayed Weatherspoon’s “hit list” of quarterbacks he planned to take down this fall.
Lee admits he heard about Franklin’s slight, but he said it didn’t offend him.
“I guess I have to do something for them to recognize me a little bit,” he said with a smile. “Hopefully I continue to do good things so they get my name right.”
maxolson@dailynebraskan.com
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