I kept track of Adrian Martinez’ quarterback rating throughout the Illinois game this past weekend. Other media people were tweeting out amazing Nebraska statistics and I felt left out, so I figured out the one statistic that would amaze everyone that no one else appeared to be watching - quarterback rating.

Quarterback rating is a calculation based on passing efficiency. There are two different ratings calculations used - one by the NFL and CFL, and the other by the NCAA/college football. You can examine the formula and a full explanation at Wikipedia.

I noticed something interesting about Martinez’ QB rating I thought I would share.

As we know, the first quarter was a buzz saw of offense by both teams. Martinez was 6-for-6 for 100 yards and two touchdowns at the end of the first quarter. That’s not bad for a true freshman. (He’d also had four carries for 50 yards, but that doesn’t factor into his QB rating.)

At one point in the first half, his QB rating zoomed to 350. Just for reference, Kyler Murray at Oklahoma leads the nation with a rating of 212.87. Right behind him is Tua Tagovailoa at 207.68.

At halftime, Martinez was 12-for-17 for 129 yards and three touchdowns. His QB rating at half was a paltry 192.6, which would have put him at third in the nation.

Martinez was 22-for-30 for 243 yards and three touchdowns at the end of the third quarter. and he finished the game 24-for-34 for 290 yards and three touchdowns.

His final QB rating was 165.5.

His completion rate was 70.5%.

Watching Martinez in the first half was amazing. The offense wasn’t just explosive, it was efficient as well. As the game wore on, Martinez missed some passes - some that could have lead to big plays. I thought, “Martinez isn’t playing too well. He’s off.”

Nebraska’s record for a quarterback rating (with a minimum of 200 attempts) throughout a career is 157.38 , held by Joe Ganz from 2005-2008. Ganz also holds the career completion percentage of 65.13, which he set from 2005-2008.

Point is, even though Martinez’ play dropped a bit from the start of the Illinois game, he was still playing at a level high by Nebraska football historical standards. It’s been less than a full season of watching him, and my expectations for him are already zooming.

Granted, Martinez has a LONG way to go with his career (WE HOPE AND PRAY), and you never know what the future holds.

I have to wonder, though, if he’ll at some point set the bar so high we become accustomed to greatness and start complaining when he has a game that is only above average.

We can only hope.

Nebrasketball is #1!!!!!

In the Sagarin basketball rating - at this moment in time. Here’s a screenshot to prove it.

Look at all the Big Ten teams listed:

Note that there is a downside to this. If we’re going to improve this much this year, we won’t have as much room to improve next year. Right?

Good lord, look at the replies and responses to this tweet.

They reflect the meaning of the word “triggered”. Funny thing is, he can be right about the world being a place where people don’t have to be tough (although I wouldn’t associate that with “liberalism”) while at the same time the replies are right about it not being the younger generation’s fault the way the world is.

I mean, hell, my generation built it. Then we complain it. Just like the one before us complained about us. We all conveniently forget this - every generation does.

News

Foecke, Hames Earn Big Ten Weekly Awards - Huskers.com - Nebraska Athletics Official Web Site
Nebraska senior outside hitter Mikaela Foecke was named the Big Ten Player of the Week on Monday, and setter Nicklin Hames was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week, the conference office announced.

Former UCF star Tre’Quan Smith: Scott Frost fixed broken program
”I’ll say the guys came together and, Coach Frost, when he came in he understood, you know, he was working with a broken team and he had the remedy to fix it,” Smith said. “I don’t have any funny stories about Coach Frost, but I will say this, while we’d be in the weight room working out he’ll come in right along with us, you know working out with us. And then after practice he’ll hit the track and run like two miles, like he was probably in shape more than some of the players.

Michigan State football stock watch: Run game hits new low
Three Michigan State football players who helped and hurt their stock in the Spartans’ 26-6 loss to Ohio State on Saturday.

Michigan State football’s quarterback juggling baffling
Brian Lewerke is playing with a bad throwing arm. Rocky Lombardi has been serviceable. Why is this so difficult for Mark Dantonio?

BIG TEN FOOTBALL POWER RANKINGS: WEEK 11 - Black Heart Gold Pants

EVERYONE STILL SUCKS

This is amusing.

Wisconsin basketball: F Alex Illikainen to leave basketball team - Bucky's 5th Quarter
The senior big man will remain enrolled at UW.

Rod Smith has turned Reggie Corbin into a lethal weapon - The Champaign Room
Corbin is the first Illini back to top 1,000 yards since 2010.

Purdue Football: 5 Reasons Why Jeff Brohm Will Leave Purdue - Hammer and Rails
Lets take a look at the other side, why he may leave.

Fall’s Tarts: The Silly, The Stupid, The Six-Win West Division Champions-y in the Big Ten in Week Eleven - Off Tackle Empire
The Seventh Seal”

Film Room: Ohio State - The Only Colors
The defense continues to shine, and Kenny Willekes is on his way to being an all-time great at MSU.

Zach Smith Is Having Another Meltdown On Twitter

Former Ohio State assistant coach Zach Smith—who was fired this summer after an alleged history of domestic violence against his ex-wife, Courtney, came to light—is back to melting down on Twitter in an effort to prove, I suppose, that the reports about his anger issues are totally inaccurate. Today, Smith attempted to show he’s not an abuser of women by trying to humiliate Texas head coach Tom Herman’s wife, Michelle.

I’m not normally a big Deadsping guy, but I didn’t want you to miss this either.

In Federal Courts, the Worst Rise to the Top | Mises Wire

A New York City federal jury has spoken, and its message is ominous: federal prosecutors are empowered to criminalize actions for which there is no statutory prohibition. To put it another way, the government has pulled criminal charges out of thin air – and journalists are cheering.

Interesting article. The ends have justified the means for a while now. We all love government dumping money into the pockets of lawyers as long as they’re attacking what we perceive as “evil”.

The Fan Misery Index - Week 11: Talkin Bout the Noles - Good Bull Hunting
I’d like to take a moment to recognize a few teams who have gone out of their way to embody what the FMI is all about. Virginia Tech, Iowa, Colorado, and Washington - all of these schools spent some time (in some cases just a couple of weeks ago!) in the First Circle, tasting what life is like as close to happiness as can be found.

Colorado and Mike MacIntyre to reportedly “part ways” at season’s end - California Golden Blogs
Is the Pac-12 Coaching Carousel starting to spin?

Then There’s This

I found this interesting.