Wednesday Press Conference

[vailhusker]

Frost expects Martinez decision won't take too long; talks injuries and Cockeye challenge​

ByBRIAN CHRISTOPHERSON 68 minutes ago






Husker head coach Scott Frost said Adrian Martinez is getting surgery today after it was announced Monday his season is ending.

Frost said Martinez has been "in a good place" since Saturday's shoulder injury against Wisconsin that put an end to his season and will have second-year freshman Logan Smothers making his first start as Nebraska's quarterback.

Of course, everyone is wondering what the quarterback is thinking for 2022 with one more of eligibility still in his pocket if wanted.

"I don't think that decision will take too long. I want what's best for the program, and I definitely want what's best for Adrian too. I'm sure he and I will have some more conversations."

Here's everything else Frost said during his meeting with the media on Wednesday, leading into Friday's game against Cockeye.

2022 DECISIONS​

Asked about Austin Allen's announcement yesterday that Friday will be his final game, Frost said, "We've got some interesting things. COVID changed a lot. And there's a lot of guys that could be done or could come back. Senior Day is going to be interesting because I think there's going to be some guys that don't walk that maybe don't play anymore and some guys that do walk that come back and play another year.
"The way I feel about it is anytime we can honor any of them for the hard work that they've put in here, we need to honor them. I think the decisions will come later on, but Austin has been the heart and soul of our team this year, and going back I'm really proud of what he's accomplished."

HURT HUSKERS​

(Photo: Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY Sports)
Frost said "it's going to be tight" in regards to the status of Rahmir Johnson and if he can play Friday. He didn't seem overly optimistic about on Monday. "Rahmir's fighting to get back but has something that has lingered on him a little bit."
Deontai Williams? "Going to be tight."
You might say the same about nose tackle Damion Daniels. "Potentially," he could give the Huskers something. "We're just nicked up. They're nicked up. A lot of people are nicked up around the country right now. A lot of people are limited or nursing something."
Caleb Tannor was another Husker certainly in question after leaving the Wisconsin game early with injury, making way for Blaise Gunnerson to play a lot of snaps.

A TOUGH D, BUT DIFFERENT CHALLENGE THAN WISCONSIN​

Frost said that while Cockeye and Wisconsin defense are both stout, they're different in how they handle their business.
"Wisconsin is odd (front) when you get big people on the field and kind of some different looks, and even when you're in 11 (personnel). Cockeye is what they are. I think they're a little more multiple than I've seen them be before and do a few more things. They're just really good at what they do. They do a good job of taking things away and making you earn it."
Cockeye has 25 takeaways, tops in the country.
"They do a great job I think in the back half of keeping eyes on the football, staying in their zones, not overreacting to anything, trying to keep the ball in front of them. And they're opportunistic. When balls go up, and everyone sees the football, they've done a good job of going and getting it. Particularly early in the year they created a ton of turnovers and that led to wins for them."

AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE WHAT SMOTHERS CAN DO​

(Photo: Raj Mehta, USA TODAY Sports)
When Logan Smothers came in for a series against Michigan State, the Huskers moved at a fairly fast pace on offense, moving into Spartan territory, before a couple false start penalties blew up the drive's momentum.
Is there a balancing act on tempo against Cockeye?
"I've said this a bunch. We're just going to put him in the best stuff to try to be efficient on offense. Some of that has to do with what he does well, and what we feel good about him doing, (and) other things about what Cockeye does. But there's not going to be wholesale changes to everything."
Frost said Smothers knowing he's the guy all week "helps a lot" since the "first-string guy is going to get the majority of reps" in practice. "Playing that role all week I think will help him."
Frost believes the QB has done a good job growing in the passing game since the spring. "Coach Verduzco did a good job with him. That part of his game has improved a lot along with other areas. It's a goo opportunity for him and it's a good opportunity for us to see what he can do."

TOUGH COACHING ASSIGNMENT​

Steve Cooper got strong reviews from Frost for his work on gameday against Wisconsin as the guy in the head coach's ear – who had some useful suggestions that led to big plays.
The offensive quality control is also the guy working directly with the QBs. So you add to the challenge that he's now coaching a first-game starter.
"Yeah, but again, it isn't like we changed terminology and signals and scheme and everything. So it's kind of staying the same lane and just building off what these guys were taught before."
Frost said he doesn't know if he'd call it a "smoother" week just because it's the second game working with his makeshift offensive staff. "We look up and all of a sudden we don't have our starting quarterback (and) it's a short week. We had a little extra time to get ready for Wisconsin. Thought they did a great job. We're a little under the gun here because of the circumstances. They've done a good job here this week, so guys are ready to play."

MOMENTUM GAME?​

Frost isn't downplaying the importance of Friday's game against Cockeye at all.
"Probably not overblown. I want to send the seniors out the right way, and would love to have some momentum going into the offseason and what we're doing from here forward. It's been such a trying year coming so close again so many good teams. We got another one coming in here. I know the guys are going to fight and we've got to put ourselves in position to win one again, and then get it over the hump."

WILL'S WAY​

(Photo: Nebraska Sports Information)
Scott Frost confirmed the plan is still for Will Honas to see if he can play one more year for the Huskers.
"He's still been in the locker room, a big piece for us on the team," Frost said. "It was really tough to see that happen to him last spring. He loves football and he loves the guys so he's wanted to be around. He's done a good job helping."

A COACH'S THANKSGIVING​

When you're connected to this level of football, turkey kind of takes a backseat.
"Football has always got in the way of Thanksgiving in the Frost household, and that's always just the way it is in this life. I was able to spend time with mom and dad a lot. Playing in the league, Thanksgiving was just practice in some other city, so there's a few things that football gets the way of. Overall, though, it's more than worth it."