LINCOLN — Shawn Watson handled every question Thursday as if the Nebraska offensive coordinator had been prepped for his post-practice interview.
Watson said both a lot and nothing about the Huskers' quarterback situation. Within his answers were absolutely no subliminal messages or clues to solving the puzzle.
No matter what was asked or how it was phrased, Watson kept coming back to the same message: Zac Lee, Cody Green and Taylor Martinez are better for what they've been going through the past three weeks.
“The thing we're most pleased about — because you're not going to get anything out of me more than that — is where we're at,” Watson said. “Bottom line, here's where we're at: They've all strengthened their game. The competition's been good for each and every one of them.”
NU head coach Bo Pelini said Tuesday that fans might not know the No. 1 quarterback until the offense comes out for the first time against Western Kentucky on Sept. 4.
Watson followed Thursday by saying the Huskers are still evaluating and, “We'll decide when we decide.”
“See, everybody thinks you've got to do this thing, like, now,” Watson said. “No, you don't have to. You want to make sure you're making the right decision and you give it the time it needs.
“We've put 'em in a lot of different situations and all I can say is I'm really proud of all three of them. They've all gotten better.”
Among the most pleasing facets, Watson said, is that each has successfully addressed a previous weakness. For example, Lee has become a better runner, Green a better manager and Martinez a better passer. The improvements have been out of necessity to stay in the hunt.
“We did not have this last year,” Watson said. “Zac never felt this last year. He knew the offense and the other two guys were just brand new. Now it's different.”
Lee started the Huskers' first seven games last season and then the final five. Green started the other two and played in a total of nine, while Martinez redshirted.
Watson said the staff mind-set going into preseason camp was that the three were dead even — and that the competition has backed that up.
“They've had to compete each and every day, and they've been under pressure,” he said. “When there's pressure, you find a diamond. It kind of evolves. And I think all three of them have strengthened their game, because they've had to, because of the competition.”
Watson dropped “wait and see” answers on separate questions about whether all three could play against Western Kentucky or if a first-game starter would be definitive. But he also agreed that game action might be something that leads to a different evaluation.
The Huskers put away the green no-contact jerseys for both spring practice and preseason camp, and Watson said that also has helped with seeing who can do what in “live” situations.
“We've had a very physical camp, but that's just kind of what we do,” he said. “I thought it was important, especially with the younger players, that they get a college pocket, college rush, college blitzes .... and we just turned it loose.”
No matter the decision, Watson said the offense will not change. That goes back to each improving at something they didn't do as well before.
“We're not built that way,” he said. “When we moved to this style, when we moved to our style of football, it was all centered around who we already had in the program. And we're recruiting guys that fit that same mode. The guys that we're recruiting for our future will be like the guys we have here now.”
Contact the writer:
444-1042, rich.kaipust@owh.com
Video of Coach Bo after Thursday's practice.
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