Frost: Quarterbacks to battle for starting role this week

“Those are both great human beings and really good football players," Frost said. "We trust them both. We rely on them both. They’ll both handle the situation well and I hope they come to compete.” 

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Huskers’ starting quarterback position is up for grabs once again.

Scott Frost said he will let Adrian Martinez and Luke McCaffrey compete for the role this week during practice.

“Those are both great human beings and really good football players,” Frost said. “We trust them both. We rely on them both. They’ll both handle the situation well and I hope they come to compete.”

Martinez was benched late in the third quarter of Saturday’s loss at Northwestern. The junior captain was only 12-of-27 for 122 yards and a bad interception. McCaffrey played the entire fourth quarter, going 12-of-18 for 93 yards. His final incompletion though came with one second remaining as the Huskers tried to rally to tie the game.

However, even Frost admitted that McCaffrey gave the Big Red a bolt of energy when he entered the game.

“He’s a sparkplug,” Frost said. “He’s just got energy that exudes out of him, and I think people rally to that. And that’s kind of why we did it. We felt like we needed a spark and just his nature provides that spark.”

The Husker players said they would be OK with either quarterback.

“Unwavering belief in both of them,” said junior wide receiver and captain Kade Warner. “I think Adrian moving forward will work on the things he needs to work on. He’s one of the hardest workers in the team, and I think he will correct the mistakes.

“And then Luke is always ready. You know Luke. He’s ecstatic, he’s electric. He knows what he’s doing. He can make plays in the field, so I have unwavering faith in both of them going forward. I love both those guys and I’m blessed to have both of them as my quarterbacks.”