Nebraska mulls possible change at quarterback
AP
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- Nebraska fans' voices have been heard. They want a quarterback change.
More important, coach Bo Pelini might want one, too.
"Yeah, absolutely," Pelini said when asked if he would consider making freshman Cody Green the starter after the Cornhuskers turned in another lethargic offensive performance in Saturday's 31-10 loss to Texas Tech.
Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said after the game that he wasn't ready to declare the job open, but that could change by the time the team returns to practice Monday.
Fans at Memorial Stadium chanted Green's name in the second half as Zac Lee continued to struggle. Green took over in the middle of the fourth quarter and led Nebraska's only touchdown drive.
With the Big 12 North race wide open, this might be a good time to make a change. The Huskers (4-2, 1-1) play Iowa State (4-3, 1-2) this Saturday and then travel to Baylor (3-3, 0-2) before what figures to be tougher games against nationally ranked Oklahoma and Kansas.
Green, for his part, continues to be the dutiful understudy.
"You've got to stay calm. I'm not the guy. Zac's the guy," Green said. "If I get in, I get in."
Lee said he isn't worried about having to fight for his job.
"We're always competing in practice," he said. "That hasn't changed since day one."
The problems, to be sure, go deeper than who's calling the signals. Top running back Roy Helu Jr. has a banged-up shoulder, the offensive line is underperforming and prone to committing silly penalties and receivers are dropping too many passes.
"We're thinking about a lot of changes. Every position," a testy Pelini said.
I don't want anyone to read the headline and think I'm operating under the idea that Cody Green is a quick fix for Nebraska's offense. I don't. In fact, I think they might struggle worse right away with Green starting over Lee. But, I'm not going to kid myself. Nebraska ain't playing for the BCS. So why not put Green in, get him some experience and be better off for the future?
Nebraska's schedule isn't a killer. The next two games are at home against Iowa State and at Baylor before coming back to Lincoln to play OU. And by watching the rest of the North over the weekend, there is reason to believe Nebraska will still win the division. If they can implant a guy who can make things happen with his feet and is young, then why not go that route? What makes me worry though is that Shawn Watson seems to have some man love going on with Zac Lee. The last time a Coach and QB were so in love in Lincoln they were named Bill Callahan and Sam Keller. I think we can remember how that worked out.
GO GREEN!
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