AMES, Iowa -- Cody Green said it was "iffy" throughout the week exactly who would start Saturday at quarterback for Nebraska.
Iffy is a good word to describe Nebraska's last stand here as a member of the Big 12.
Does Nebraska's offense miss starting quarterback Taylor Martinez as much as it appeared during the ninth-ranked Huskers' 31-30 overtime triumph against Iowa State?
Nothing iffy about that answer.
Martinez, the ultra-quick redshirt freshman, casually pedaled a stationary bicycle behind the bench during part of the tension-filled second half. Because of a sprained ankle, he was the "emergency guy," Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said after the game.
Steady senior Zac Lee, who replaced Martinez in the second half of last week's 31-17 win against Missouri, was unavailable because of a hand injury. He suited up but didn't throw passes in warmups.
Pelini said the Huskers practiced throughout the week unsure exactly who would play quarterback. Maybe Martinez's ankle would heal sufficiently, maybe not.
"It wasn't the most ideal situation," Pelini admitted.
Nebraska, despite its top-10 status, often played like a team unsure of itself. I loathe the word swagger. But something was missing.
Mostly, Martinez was missing. Iowa State could focus more on running backs Roy Helu and Rex Burkhead. Missouri wishes it would've had that option last week in Nebraska's 24-point first quarter.
Indeed, maybe we should've anticipated Nebraska (8-1, 4-1 Big 12) finishing Saturday with only 314 yards of total offense, even against an Iowa State outfit that ranked 102nd nationally in total defense entering the day.
After all, Nebraska essentially was down to its third-string quarterback. Husker coaches don't break it down in those terms. They say Lee and Green are "2A and 2B." Whatever. Green was the third choice Saturday, that was clear. And life can be iffy for most any team in such a situation. Even for a Husker team that had averaged 458.5 yards through eight games.
Whatever his role, it's easy to cheer for Green. The sturdy 6-foot-4, 225-pound sophomore is seemingly always upbeat. He has accepted his reserve status marvelously. He never shies from interviews, always a stand-up guy, even when there's adversity.
His postgame media appearance Saturday wasn't necessarily one of those adverse moments. Still, it felt a bit awkward. Nebraska prevailed in memorable fashion, its BCS bowl hopes alive, but hardly anybody expected it to be this difficult.
Green played well at times, but I expected better.
I expected him to complete that crucial third-and-2 pass in the fourth quarter. Instead, he short-armed it to an open Kyler Reed.
I expected, after Iowa State rallied to forge a 24-24 tie, that Green somehow would find a way to push Nebraska into the end zone before regulation time ended.
Give Green some credit, though. He showed toughness. He was like the pitcher who surrendered eight runs but still got the win.
In the first half, Green absorbed a hard hit and had to leave the game. No problem. Running back Rex Burkhead lined up in the shotgun and took three straight snaps before Green returned. Burkhead was used often in that role in the first half, for the first time this season. It was a brilliant tactic that seemed to take Iowa State by surprise while taking pressure off Green.
Green settled in and never looked better than he did during that third-quarter touchdown drive in which he completed three third-down passes for first downs. The Huskers led 24-10. They seemed in control, finally. Ah, but iffy was the enduring Husker theme on this day.
Iffy might even describe Green's future as a quarterback, since Martinez clearly is entrenched, and more young guns will be arriving soon.
Would Green ever consider a position switch, perhaps to tight end?
"If it helped the team, I'm pretty sure I might," he said, upbeat as always.
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