Eventually Nebraska quarterback Taylor Matrtinez is going to return to the field. That day may be this weekend when Nebraska faces Minnesota in a somewhat key Big Ten Legends Division game. It will be a game-time decision for Bo Pelini to determine if Martinez will start or not.
Martinez has been bothered by turf toe for the past few weeks, sitting out each of Nebraska’s last three games. Mobility is a big part of Martinez’s game, and turf toe makes it painfully difficult to move around the way Martinez tends to do. Martinez rushed for over 1,000 yards last season and entered the season with 31 rushing touchdowns, although he has yet to reach the end zone on the ground this season.
While Martinez has been on the sideline, freshman Tommy Armstrong has been started under center. Nebraska has scaled back their offense a bit to avoid putting too much of the offense in the hands of Armstrong. Armstrong passed well in his first two games in relief of Martinez but he threw three interceptions two weeks ago against Purdue.
Nebraska has gone 3-0 without Martinez but his absence came at a somewhat fortunate time on the schedule with Nebraska facing FCS South Dakota State and Big Ten teams Illinois and Purdue. All three were games Nebraska should have been able to win with or without Martinez on the field.