PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Adrian Martinez is a true freshman who is the primary reason for Nebraska fans to feel optimistic about the future. Against Illinois, Martinez racked up 290 yards passing, completing 24-of-34 attempts with three touchdowns and an interception. He also rushed for 55 yards and a score. He’ll face a stout Michigan State defense this week, but he already seems to be playing well beyond his years.
–DB Aaron Williams had a two-tackle showing last week against Illinois, his lowest output of the season, but that was offset as he nabbed his first interception of the season. Williams, a senior, has defended four passes and tallied 57 tackles in 2018.
–WR J.D. Spielman, who is Nebraska’s receptions leader with 66, hauled in seven catches for 71 yards against Illinois. A sophomore out of Eden Prairie, Minn., Spielman has taken a backseat to Stanley Morgan Jr. in the receiving corps down the stretch of the season, but that might not matter much as each demands attention from opposing secondaries. Spielman is still developing a rapport with QB Adrian Martinez and has established himself as a quality wideout for the Cornhuskers.
SERIES HISTORY: Nebraska leads Michigan State 8-2. Five of Nebraska’s wins have come at home and the Cornhuskers also won the most recent meeting in 2015.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I think everybody can feel the momentum. Even in the program, I talked about it after the game, but just listening to (defensive lineman) Mick (Stoltenberg) talk to the team was inspiring to me. He made it clear where he thought everything was going and how much better it’s getting and how much better it’s going to get. I said at the beginning of the season we wanted to get better day by day and I think we’ve done that.” — Scott Frost, on Nebraska’s turnaround this season.
