Rutgers forces fumble as Nebraska QB Adrian Martinez takes awkward tumble
This was an awkward play, but it looks like Adrian Martinez will be alright after a scary fall.
Rutgers and Nebraska are squaring off Friday night and it started with the Huskers on offense. Nebraska converted one early third-down play before setting up on a third-and-nine play to keep the drive alive.
As the pocket collapsed, Martinez made a nice cut and started to break into the open. It looked like he would make the line-to-gain as he went airborne in a dive toward the first-down marker.
He was hit in the air with a Rutgers defender dislodging the ball mid-air as Martinez landed on his head at the end of the flip. It was a nice play by the defense but a scary sight to see Martinez land in such an awkward manner:
Adrian Martinez fumbles the ball after diving for the first down, landing awkwardly on his neck in the process. Thankfully looked to be alright after.
Rutgers recovers and starts its first offensive possession at its 27: pic.twitter.com/WtommGUvlm
— Brian Fonseca (@briannnnf) December 19, 2020
#Nebraska QB Adrian Martinez fumbles and it’s picked up by #Rutgers safety @chriscrafty_ #RFootball ball! pic.twitter.com/VqdvUqPXfX
— Rutgers Scarlet Knights | TheKnightReport.Net (@RutgersRivals) December 19, 2020
Thankfully, Martinez returned to action on the ensuing drive without any apparent issues. Rutgers also turned the takeaway into the game’s first three points on a field goal for the early lead.