Taylor Martinez second half performance for Nebraska keeps Brion Carnes waiting

Nebraska's maligned quarterback Taylor Martinez shook off a bad first half to the lead Cornhuskers to come from behind 34-27 victory over Ohio State Saturday night.

It means the long awaited appearance of Manatee High product Brion Carnes might have to wait for awhile, which might not be all that bad.

Carnes is the only other Nebraska quarterback to throw a pass this season (1 for 1 for 19 yards) and many fans have been clamoring for him to get a chance, especially after the Huskers debacle at Wisconsin last week.

Martinez was roundly booed in Nebraska's resounding loss to Wisconsin last week when he threw three interceptions. The boos continued at halftime in the Ohio State game when he was ineffective and threw another pick and the Buckeyes took a 20-6 halftime lead.

Things changed in the second half. A strip by Nebraska linebacker Lavonte David led to a Martinez 18 yard touchdown run. Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller was knocked out of the game with a sprained ankle and the roof caved in the for Buckeyes offense.

Martinez ran for 102 yards and 16 for 22 passing for 191 yards. But you can't escape the question of whether he can do that against good team, which Ohio State is not.

The sophomore has obvious flaws. His throwing motion is awkward and he doesn't have a strong arm. In his defense, he knows the offense and can pick his spots at a runner.

The question remains is he the long term answer.

Nebraska QB controversy with Brion Carnes and Taylor Martinez reminds us of Tommie Frazier

There is a quarterback controversy brewing at Nebraska and it involves another Manatee High signal caller.

Huskers incumbent starter Taylor Martinez has taken a lot of heat after Nebraska was blown out by Wisconsin 48-17 last week with the sophomore throwing three interceptions.

Nebraska is 4-1 with a lot of people calling for Brion Carnes to take over the quarterback slot. Ironically the Huskers were 4-1 back in 1992 when Tommie Frazier took over the starting QB job from senior Mike Grant.

Frazier took off from there on a spectacular career that saw him earn a spot as a backup quarterback on the All-Century team selected by Sports Illustrated. If not for blood clots that temporarily derailed his career, Frazier might haven reached in an even higher status.

Frazier and Carnes started their careers at Manatee and it was Frazier who encouraged Carnes to sign with Nebraska.

Interesting to see if history in some way will repeat itself.

Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said there is a wide gap between Carnes and Martinez and didn't anticipate any changes in the near future. But could another shaky performance from Martinez change that thinking?

What does Nebraska great Tommie Frazier think of Taylor Martinez?

Wonder what former Nebraska great Tommie Frazier thinks about current beleaguered Huskers sophomore quarterback Taylor Martinez?

A lot of fans are clamoring for backup Brion Carnes to take over the QB job. It was Frazier who convinced Carnes to sign with Nebraska encouraging him to compete against the best.

Both graduated from Manatee High and Carnes took Frazier's advice turning down offers where he might have gotten on the field quicker.

Frazier is a person of class and would never comment on what soon might be a quarterback controversy. But you can't help but wondering what he is thinking.

A lot of people in their hometown of Bradenton felt Carnes was making a mistake signing with Nebraska because it would be too tough to get playing time. Frazier did not feel that way. Even knowing the quarterback situation at Nebraska, he told Carnes to come.

Husker fans are still seething over how Wisconsin pounded Nebraska 48-17 last Saturday ruining their undefeated status and their pride. The Huskers led 14-13 in the second quarter when Martinez imploded and threw three interceptions.

Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini called the criticism "a shame."

There has been some comparisons made between Martinez, Frazier and Cornhusker Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch.

Martinez has thrown 12 interceptions in 17 starts and has a career completion percentage of 56.1 percent. Frazier had 18 interceptions in 509 career passes and 49.1 percent completion rate.

But the difference his in quality wins. Frazier owns that stat guiding Nebraska to two national titles and was 33-3 as a starter.