Bo Pelini: We have confidence in Brion Carnes

A lot of folks around these parts are wonding what happened to Brion Carnes, particularly after Nebraska cancelled its spring game.

The former Manatee High quarterback is number two on the Huskers depth to Nebraska signal caller Taylor Martinez and last year was the least used backup quarterback in the Big 10.

But Bo says don't worry; that any perception Carnes might be a forgotten man is wrong.

Those are the words of Bo Pelini, the Huskers head coach who will utlimately decide how much playing time Carnes gets this season.

"We have a lot more confidence in Brion than people think," Pelini told the media as spring ball wrapped up. "I sometimes get the feeling that people think we don't have confidence in him. That isn't the case."

Carnes earned the backup job largely because of his spring game performance last season. With no spring game this year, questions arose. But Nebraska offensive coordinatorand quarterbacks coach Tim Beck says he is solid at number 2 and got a lot of work with the first team this spring.

"He looks like a different guy in the passing game," Beck said.

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?