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Here we go again: Adrian Martinez’s first-half performance is leaving fans flummoxed
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Here we go again.
That’s undoubtedly the thought running through the minds of Nebraska fans everywhere after the first half of the 2021 season. Things did not start well for the Huskers due to an early miscue by Cam Taylor-Britt that led to a safety, but the team did rally back for the lead.
Unfortunately, the 9-2 lead for Nebraska did not last long. A roughing the passer and taunting penalty combo kept one Illinois drive alive that tied the game at 9-all.
Then, with under a minute left in the half, the Illini stripped quarterback Adrian Martinez and returned that fumble for a touchdown. At the half, Illinois is up 16-9.
At the break, Martinez is 6-for-14 passing with 112 yards. He also has the disastrous fumble returned for a touchdown and has been the target of plenty of criticism on social media.
Check it out:
Adrian Martinez is still Adrian Martinez.
— Barrett Sallee 🇺🇸 (@BarrettSallee) August 28, 2021
Scott Frost thought Adrian Martinez, who just airmailed two wide open passes in the red zone, was so good he passed on Joe Burrow.
— JDMill (@jdmill) August 28, 2021
Adrian Martinez 1st half stats:
5/12, 104 yards.
Other than that dime to Martin, 2AM has had a rough time throwing the ball today. #Huskers
— Matt Foster (@MattFosterTV) August 28, 2021
Sorry Nebraska fans but Adrian Martinez isn’t that guy, pal.
— Derek Kopp (@DerekKoppTV) August 28, 2021
Adrian Martinez is frustrating to watch
— Charlie Parker (@cmparker999) August 28, 2021
Adrian Martinez has been extremely disappointing so far
— Benjy 🍊🪓 (@benjyvol) August 28, 2021
Thoughts on Adrian Martinez ?
— CFBTalkDaily (@CFBTalkDaily) August 28, 2021
Imagine telling yourself this in 2018:
Artur Sitkowki and Bret Bielema lead Illinois to a win over Adrian Martinez, Scott Frost and Nebraska in the 2021 season opener.
— Andrew Doughty (@DoughtyBetMGM) August 28, 2021
Martinez has, uh, not looked great today.
He fumbles for the 16th time in his career. It’s returned for a TD by Calvin Hart.
Illinois leads 16-9 with 37 seconds to go before half.
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) August 28, 2021
I've talked to Adrian Martinez a couple of times. A really nice young man. Coaches rave about his character. But he simply has regressed so much that it's hard to see how he's a viable QB for Nebraska anymore.
— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) August 28, 2021
You’ve got to be kidding me, Nebraska.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) August 28, 2021
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.