Adrian Martinez
Nebraska Quarterback
On not being in a normal rhythm
"I felt comfortable the whole first half despite that pick six. Mistakes are going to happen. You have to work through them and that is what I was doing. The second half we just cannot get shut out that way, and I attribute that to myself and I need to make better decisions to help us on the offensive side of the ball there."
On the opportunity they felt coming into the third quarter
"Something I have mentioned before is being a big deal. Momentum builder and just in general getting points at the end of the half there, that was big for us. I think we did miss an opportunity there to capitalize further in the coming out. We knew we needed to capitalize and it would not have necessarily put the game away, but it would have been huge to go out and score, get some points and get a stop on the defensive side of the ball and sort of set the tone for the half."
On striking a balance between making plays and not
"You have to walk a line there and part of that is one play at a time. You cannot get too greedy, cannot try and do too much. You have to continue to do your job and realize it is about getting first downs and chunking the ball and maybe we will get a big play but can't be overly aggressive and lose that opportunity."
On the change between the first and second half
"I cannot sit here and explain that 100 percent right now. We are going to have to go back and watch the film, but it is definitely a piece of the story. Also playing from behind I think we needed to throw the ball more, that is later in the game. But I am going to have to look back and see why we were not able to there in the second half."
On a chance to get the extra yard
"I am going to look back at that one. Hindsight, could have gotten the first down maybe. I am going to have to go back and look at that one. Coach felt like I could have fought for some more yards there and he is our head ball coach. So I am going to listen to what he says, and I should have gotten some more yards. Simple as that."
On not connecting with wide receiver Samori Toure on a long pass just before halftime
"We did talk a little bit about it. And it is one of those things that we just have to connect, have to be better. Both of us."
On not playing up to their ability
"This game we just offensively definitely did not execute the way we needed to. I did not execute the way we needed to, so we did not play as well as what we are capable of to win a game when the Big Ten demands your best. If you do not give it, you lose."
On staying focused on the sidelines while sitting for a while
"That is a part of football. It is part of the game and something we are used to again playing in the Big Ten. There are many teams who have long possessions and all across football you have to be able to dial in when it is your turn up."
On frustration from the fans
"I was frustrated as well. So I can understand that frustration. And simply put I was not good enough. It is not like we deserve to be applauded as we came off the field. We need to be better and we will be. We have no other choice."
On the shovel pass interception
"Forced an opportunity there. We had somewhat of a mesh concept going and they zoned it off. I expected my man to sit, and he did sit but I was sort of getting dragged down and tried to make something happen and get rid of the ball before taking the sack on a second and long and was doing too much. That is one of those opportunities we cannot miss, and cannot make that mistake that sort of turnover when we had the field advantage. So going to have to re-evaluate that one and get back in a workshop."
On being up to him to make something happen on offense
"I play quarterback so the ball is always in my hands and I have decisions to make on every play. But no, it is a team game. It is a team game. I am one cog in the wheel of success or failure. That is why Verduzco my quarterback coach always says and that we as a unit feel that way. Today I felt like I was not a good enough cop."
On how he feels today compared to two weeks ago
"A lot better. A lot better today and again felt good enough to do everything I wanted to do on the field."
NU Athletic Communications
