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Shoulder Injury Knocks Adrian Martinez Out of Lineup vs. Iowa

Freshman QB Logan Smothers projected to get first start for Nebraska

SI Editorial

Contents

  1. Commentary
  2. Coverage
  5. Video recaps
  6. From the other side
  7. Video
  8. Side interviews
  9. Info links

Nebraska football coach Scott Frost announced Monday that four-year starting quarterback Adrian Martinez will miss the Black Friday game against Iowa with an injury.

Martinez briefly left Saturday's  Wisconsin game with a shoulder injury but returned after halftime to play the rest of the game.

"I didn't expect him to play in the second half," Frost said. "He came up to me right before the second half kickoff and said he wanted to go.

"Feel terrible for him."

Martinez has started every game this season. His absence opens the door for the first career start for freshman Logan Smothers.

"Logan's earned the right to be the guy," Frost said.

Martinez suffered his shoulder injury late in the first half at Wisconsin.
Martinez suffered his shoulder injury late in the first half at Wisconsin / Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Smothers, who didn't see the field in 2020, has appeared in five games in 2021. He has completed 7 of 11 passes for 119 yards and run for 69 yards on 13 carries.

Frost said Smothers isn't a "fresh-faced kid that’s going to be surprised. ... He knows our offense and how to operate it, so we'll get him the ball and let him do it."

True freshman Heinrich Haarberg will also be available. The Kearney Catholic product has yet to play in a game at Nebraska. Frost said both quarterbacks practiced well Monday.

Martinez became Nebraska's career leader in total offense during Saturday's 35-. He has not said whether he will return for a fifth season. 

Much more from Monday's press conference is in the links below. Refresh this page for the latest updates. Go here for the HuskerMax discussion. Asterisk indicates item may require a subscription.

Commentary

Coverage

  • Video recaps

    From the other side

    Video

    Click on name to see transcript

    Garrett Nelson

    Levi Falck

    Austin Allen

    Turner Corcoran

    Ben Stille

    Erik Chinander

    Scott Frost

    Side interviews

    Info links

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