Tag: Adrian Martinez

3 Players who helped the Oklahoma Sooners knock off Nebraska, 23-16

It wasn’t always pretty, but Oklahoma grabbed the win over Nebraska on Saturday. Here are 3 Sooners who helped them get there.

Many people (myself included) expected Nebraska to buckle under the pressure of Oklahoma’s pass rush in the Sooners’ 23-16 win over the Cornhuskers. That only kind of happened. Ultimately, the Sooners defensive front did seal the win, sacking quarterback Adrian Martinez twice in the final four plays. But not before Nebraska gave OU everything it could handle for the first 59 minutes of the game. 

“A win is a win.” And while the Crimson and Cream won’t receive style points for how they took care of business, they finish non-conference play with a spotless 3-0 record.

Here are three Sooners that helped them get there:

Jadon Haselwood, Wide Receiver 

Jadon Haselwood caught Spencer Rattler’s first target of the game for a six-yard gain. He would finish with a team-high nine targets while catching two of three contested balls per Pro Football Focus. Through three games, it is evident that Rattler has big plans for the redshirt sophomore this season.

His six receptions against the Cornhuskers were a game-high. Haselwood continues to leave his fingerprints on the Sooners’ passing attack as both a blocker and a receiver.

Up Next: Graham Breaks the Internet

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Handing Out Grades: Report Card for the Oklahoma Sooners win vs. Nebraska

How did the Sooners position groups perform in their 23-16 win over Nebraska?

It’s always easier to talk about a team’s performance when they’ve won a game. At the end of the day, all that matters is who has more points than the other. Oklahoma didn’t play their best football in the game versus Nebraska. They would tell you that and the world knows that. However, they won the game and that’s what’s most important and in the process, we saw some things that make us feel a bit better about how these first three weeks have gone.

Let’s hand out some grades.

Quarterbacks: B-

Spencer rattler definitely did not play his best game. Most of that was largely due to him and at times his coach Lincoln Riley being stumped by the soft zone and zone blitz Nebraska was sending their way. At numerous points, Rattler looked notably hesitant in the pocket and it led to errant throws and him holding on to the ball just entirely too long. They would eventually find a few chinks in it and string together enough completions and run the ball more than effective enough to win the game.

He started the game on fire going 6 of 7 on his first drive. He made some great throws on third down but made some questionable decisions trying to get the ball to freshman Mario Williams. When the team needed him to make plays, he delivered. He finished 24/34 for 214 yards and a TD pass to Jeremiah Hall to go along with a QB sneak for a touchdown.

Up Next: Grading the Running Backs and Offensive Line

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Oklahoma Sooners hold on to beat Nebraska Cornhuskers 23-16

The Oklahoma Sooners defense came up big and OU held on to beat Nebraska 23-16.

It wasn’t quite “Game of the Century” good but the Oklahoma Sooners and Nebraska Cornhuskers played a really entertaining game. The more talented team would come out on top as Oklahoma went on to win 23-16.

The Sooners came out on the game’s very first possession and looked poised to do whatever they wanted to Nebraska. Quarterback Spencer Rattler looked sharp and would eventually sneak in the game’s first touchdown.

Nebraska struggled to contain the Sooners vaunted defensive line all day. Cornhuskers QB Adrian Martinez, who came into the game as the most pressured Power Five quarterback, felt that pressure in abundance against the Sooners.

Nebraska would fight hard going to a soft zone on defense that seemingly stumped Lincoln Riley and the Sooners for the entire second quarter.

OU would find its groove running the ball and finding some plays in the passing game to keep Nebraska honest. A trick play from Mario Williams who threw the ball back to Spencer Rattler who then found an open Marvin Mims, set up the Sooners for another score.

The Sooners cashed in and took a 14-3 lead when Rattler found Jeremiah Hall in the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown pass.

The Sooners defense kept bringing the pressure and at a critical moment Isaiah Coe blocked an extra point which was returned for two points by senior and captain Pat Fields. That’s Oklahoma’s first blocked extra point return for a 2-point conversion since Zack Sanchez ran one back against TCU in 2013.

OU would take control of the trenches in the fourth quarter finishing a drive off with a Kennedy Brooks touchdown run from two yards out with 10:24 left that made it 23-16.

Nebraska would threaten again as Adrian Martinez found Zavier Betts for 55 yards and then a sideline interference penalty tacked on 15 more yards. The pressure from OU put Nebraska into a tough 4th down situation, one which resulted in a candidate for play of the year from cornerback DJ Graham:

Nebraska eventually gained possession in good field position, and Martinez found Omar Manning for a 21-yard touchdown pass. The extra point cut Oklahoma’s lead to 23-16 with 5:38 to play.

Nebraska fought hard all day and ended up with a chance to tie the game with 56 seconds left. When it mattered most, though, the defense came up big with Perrion Winfrey and Nik Bonitto sacking Martinez twice on the game’s final drive.

Nebraska falls to 2-2 and has a date September 25th in East Lansing to take on the Michigan State Spartans. OU moved on to 3-0 and will host the West Virginia Mountaineers next to kick off their Big 12 portion of the schedule.

Key Players for the Oklahoma Sooners defense vs. Nebraska

A look at the three players on the Oklahoma defense that are key players against Nebraska.

Oklahoma will wrap up its nonconference schedule with their toughest opponent thus far in Nebraska. The game is symbolic as an old rivalry is renewed on the 50th anniversary of the ‘Game of the Century.

On the field, OU will face a noticeable step up in competition as opposed to their games against Tulane and Western Carolina University. Defensively, they will have to contend with one of the best running quarterbacks in the nation in Adrian Martinez.

Martinez, a veteran quarterback has seen a lot of football over the years and will hardly be scared of the moment. However, his relatively young offensive line will line up across from one of the best front sevens in the country. Pressure is something Martinez is very familiar with. We wrote about that here.

Oklahoma will be without some key players on the back end of their defense. Woodi Washington and Billy Bowman are not expected to play. Look for Latrell McCutchin and Jeremiah Criddell to fill in for them in their spots. Here are candidates for the defensive players to watch as Oklahoma tries to bottle up Nebraska and head into Big 12 play undefeated:

Up Next: A Monster in the Middle ready to be unleashed.

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Threat Assessment: 3 Cornhuskers who could be game-changers vs. Oklahoma

Oklahoma and Nebraska will play each other for the first time in a decade. Here are 3 Cornhuskers the Sooners need to beware of in the 50th anniversary of the “Game of the Century.”

The Oklahoma Sooners and Nebraska Cornhuskers will meet for the 87th time on Saturday. The Cornhuskers roll into town to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the “Game of the Century,” as the teams will meet for the first time in over a decade.

But much of the preseason excitement about this matchup fizzled out when Nebraska fell to Illinois 30-22 in week 0. After the loss, our very own John Williams broke down the playoff implications of an irrelevant Nebraska team.

With a nonconference schedule considered one of the weakest in the Big 12, the Sooners needed a relevant Nebraska team to bolster their strength of schedule… Fans will be hyped for the Sooners’ matchup with the Cornhuskers. When Nebraska comes to Norman, there will be a lot of energy and excitement to renew the storied rivalry. However, after an upset loss to one of the lower-tier teams in the Big 10, the matchup has lost some of its intrigue.

However, the fact remains that Nebraska is (or at least it’s supposed to be) the most formidable opponent Oklahoma has faced during nonconference play. That means it’s time for another threat assessment.

Here’s who you and the Sooners need to keep an eye on this weekend.

Up Next: A Nebraska Wide Receiver to watch out for.

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Nebraska QB Adrian Martinez faces a tough task vs. OU’s pass rush

Nebraska’s Adrian Martinez is one of the most pressured quarterbacks in the Power Five, which is something Oklahoma can take advantage of this Saturday.

The Oklahoma Sooners are well into their preparation for a high noon showdown with a storied old foe. The Nebraska Cornhuskers will make the trip from Lincoln, Nebraska to take on Lincoln Riley and his third-ranked Sooners team. The game marks the first time they would have played since the 2010 Big 12 Championship game. These programs have taken quite a turn in opposite directions since Nebraska’s days of dominating college football. Nebraska is reeling and their coach, players, and fans will be hoping for the unthinkable to happen on Saturday.

In order for Nebraska to have any shot on Saturday, it will be because Adrian Martinez played lights-out football. However, if it is to get done, it won’t be easy.

A quarterback’s worst nightmare is pressure. Martinez has faced pressure in abundance, and the defensive line that Oklahoma will line up is one of the best in the country. Prior to Saturday’s game Adrian Martinez is one of the most pressured quarterbacks in the country:

  • He is the most pressured quarterback in the Power Five.
  • Martinez’s 45.7% pressure rate is the fourth-highest among quarterbacks in the Power Five with at least 22 dropbacks.

Context is key and will tell a bigger picture. These numbers seem high and you would be absolutely correct in doing so. It’s only exacerbated by the fact that Nebraska has only played Illinois, Fordham, and Buffalo through three games. A fellow Big 10 foe, an FCS school, and a pretty solid team in Buffalo from the MAC.

Those are hardly a Murderers’ Row of pass-rushing opponents. Nebraska’s offensive line has struggled to keep clean pockets against that caliber of opponent. How will they manage facing a potential first-round draft pick in Nik Bonitto and another likely top 100 draft choice in Perrion Winfrey? They are second and first respectively in pressures in the Big 12.

 

Nebraska’s opening game offensive line to start the season is young but not as young as it seems. They entered with 47 combined starts, including five players who had started at least one game. But much like playing the likes of Ohio State in the Big 10, this is a different animal entirely and even more so with the outside weight of this being a rivalry game on the road.

OU has the star power and the depth to continue to make things chaotic in the pocket for Martinez. He’s going to bail from the pocket and run. He leads the nation in rushing yards as a QB, which is a by-product of their offensive system but also because he has no time to sit and make reads to throw the ball.

An undervalued aspect of pressure stats and examining the relationship that pressure and coverage share. Martinez has been pressured but with that have the Cornhuskers not tried getting the ball out faster to offset the rush? And if they have, are the Nebraska receivers able to get open?

The Sooners may be down a few starters in their secondary so that may also be something to watch as Nebraska likely opts for quick-hitting routes to offset the outside pressure from Nik Bonitto and Isaiah Thomas while Jalen Redmond, Perrion Winfrey, Joshua Ellison, and more attempt to collapse the pocket.

Martinez and the Nebraska offensive linemen have a massive obstacle to overcome if they want to put up enough points to try and spring an upset.

Only time will tell if they can do it.

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Nebraska QB Adrian Martinez magically turned a near-sack into an unbelievable 71-yard pickup

What a play!

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez might be a magician because he pulled off an unbelievable escape performance Saturday against Buffalo — and picked up more than 70 yards in the process.

About midway through the second quarter of Nebraska’s home game, the Cornhuskers were at 3rd-and-5 from their own 25-yard line. Certainly not ideal, but Martinez made the absolute most out of this play.

The junior quarterback took the snap and dropped back as he almost immediately faced pressure from the Bulls. He was nearly sacked at Nebraska’s 15-yard line, but somehow, amazingly, escaped the tackle. Weaving between the defense and his own players, Martinez found a gap and took off down the middle of the field and got way more than the first down.

Thanks to his speed and some strong downfield blocking, Martinez made it all the way to Buffalo’s 4-yard line for an incredible 71-yard run. Just an awesome play.

The Bulls were then dealt a face mask penalty, which moved Nebraska up to the 2-yard line before freshman running back Gabe Ervin Jr. rolled into the end zone for the first touchdown of the game.

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Wisconsin vs. Nebraska: Series history

The Wisconsin Badgers’ 45-7 victory over Illinois on Friday is now in the rear-view. Since it’s Monday, it’s time to look ahead to…

The Wisconsin Badgers’ 45-7 victory over Illinois on Friday is now in the rear-view. Since it’s Monday, it’s time to look ahead to Saturday’s contest and look at the series history between the two schools.

The Badgers’ upcoming opponent: the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Related: Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz tests positive for COVID-19

Since Nebraska joined the Big Ten back in 2011, there are only 10 total contests between the two schools.

The all-time series stands at 10-4 in favor of the Badgers, with Nebraska winning the first three contests back in the 1960s/70s and going 1-10 since.

Related: A look at the Big Ten testing protocol that will determine Graham Mertz’s situation

The last time the Cornhuskers defeated the Badgers the year was 2012. Wisconsin went on to defeat them 70-31 in the conference championship that year and have now won 7 straight since that 2012 regular-season loss.

Going through the series here are some other numbers to note:

  • In terms of all-time accomplishments the Badgers top Nebraska in one category: Bowl Game winning percentage
  • The Cornhuskers have more national championships, more Heisman winners, more conference championships, more wins, more weeks at AP No. 1, more first-round draft picks, more All-Americans and more
  • Wisconsin’s largest margin of victory in the series is 70-31 while Nebraska’s is 37-0

 

Stay tuned in to BadgersWire throughout the week as we preview the second game on the Badgers’ 2020 schedule.

Three reasons Nebraska could make it a game Saturday

Ohio State and Nebraska are set to do battle at Noon Saturday. Here are 3 reasons the ‘Huskers could give the Buckeyes a game.

Ohio State is set to break open the seal on the football season Saturday and everyone is excited to see what the Buckeyes are able to do. The team is once again expected to contend for some pretty special things, and a struggling Nebraska team looks to be just a speedbump in the way.

However, these things often do not play out like we expect on paper, and there can be reasons to believe the game in the ‘Shoe on Saturday will be closer than many anticipate — especially in a 2020 year that has brought us the unexpected across all angles of life.

Can Nebraska make this a game? Is there any chance of pulling off a shocking upset to send shockwaves through the college football universe? It’s not likely, but here are three reasons the Cornhuskers could make life difficult for Ohio State.

NEXT … Adrian Martinez

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Three keys for an Ohio State victory over Nebraska

Ohio State takes on Nebraska at high noon in the ‘Shoe on Saturday. Here are three keys to a Buckeyes victory in game one.

We are just one day away from the much-anticipated start of the Ohio State and Big Ten football season. The fact that we are here is quite amazing when you look back at it all, but don’t pinch yourself, you’re not dreaming.

Nothing would spoil the anticipation and wait more though than a loss to the Nebraska Cornhuskers at high noon on FOX. It can’t just be a show up and let the talent do its work type of affair. With so much time off, the Buckeyes have to have a solid game plan and go out and execute to start the season on the right foot.

As is customary, we give you three keys to an Ohio State victory. Time to set it off …

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NEXT … Hit the ground running

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