The Clamor for Carnes Begins
They say the most popular player on a football team with the fans is often the backup quarterback. This spring's contest might well make that true for redshirt freshman Brion Carnes. In a game where neither Taylor Martinez nor Cody Green played particularly well, Brion Carnes finished with a nice stat line of 11 completions in fifteen attempts for 173 yards and two touchdowns. He also led all quarterbacks in rushing with nine carries for 40 yards. Those who weren't already aware might also have learned from the radio broadcast that he's related to the great Tommie Frazier. Put it all together, and it seems likely he'll be the most popular quarterback among fans between now and September.
It's not like he did it with smoke and mirrors. Carnes was a four-star quarterback prospect out of high school. If the spring game was any indication of how he plays, then he could well emerge as the starting quarterback in the fall. But it's difficult to tell whether the one scrimmage conforms to a trend or is just an outlier. None of the quarterbacks were operating with the true first team around them. Martinez seems to be still recovering from his ankle injury. So what we saw in the Red-White game, might not resemble what a purer competition would look like.
Still, NU head coach Bo Pelini has shown he won't necessarily just stick with a quarterback because he's the guy that started last year (or even last week). If the Spring game was indicative of where these quarterbacks stand then we could be watching Brion Carnes starting for Nebraska next season. But it will be impossible to know whether that will happen until a few hours before kickoff against Chattanooga.
But for the next four months, you can expect to hear plenty of support for Carnes from fans. After all, he's never let us down yet.
Grain Valley, MO
4/16/2011
I like the fact that Carnes is tougher than Martinez. I understand he’d twisted his ankle in the 3rd qrtr and was being helped off the field by the trainers and then suddenly turned back and went to the huddle. He was probably thinking, “T-mac went down this road…good time for a U-turn!” Jamal Turner caught the 49 yard TD from Carnes and understand that Turner can flat out fly downfield. Cody Green said Turner’s always asking questions about the offense which shows he a good study of the system Beck’s implimenting. Sure hope this Carnes pushes all the QB’s to a higher level. Can’t hardly wait til August!
4/16/2011
So after 1 scrimmage, you are claiming that he is “tougher than Martinez”?
I am guessing that you don’t know the difference between a high ankle sprain and an ankle sprain. Entirely different animal. High ankle sprains often take up to 6 months to recover from… and that kid was out there for 5 games battling it.
Sorry that isn’t “tough enough” for you.
4/16/2011
Question for those of you in attendance today:
Was it apparent that Cody Green will be 3rd string at best next year?
I would love to hear your take on it, everybody.
San Diego, Ca.
4/16/2011
“If the Spring game was indicative of where these quarterbacks stand then we could be watching Brion Carnes starting for Nebraska next season.”
That could mean Nebraska trots out a first time starter to open the season, for a Nation leading (I’ll assume) 5th season in a row! How awesome would that be?
Pelini’s being real calm and patient, kinda coy even, when talking about the new offense. I’ll stick with the premise that no way would they have put Turner at receiver, almost right away, if they didn’t have a strong feel for how the qb lineup turns out. Pelini indicated Turner won’t go back. Maybe, he was even better during practice. And they know they need a speed boost, at receiver.
Anyway, there’s “live” speed in Lincoln. With more live speed, on the way. Pelini has finally addressed the speed issue, on offense.
There’ll actually be competition for returner jobs, instead of finding a guy who can just catch it, and the rest is gravy.
One thing about the upcoming summer competition for qb. Guys are really going to have to feel like they got a fair shot at the job, all the way around. Will Carnes be willing to potentially wait till his senior season, to start? Would Green just accept never being the front line starter? Would Martinez accept a fresh player beating him out? At least Turner got relocated, right away. And you always knew Martinez would make a good receiver and Green a tight end…
Kellog III, could be the next “Turmanator.”
4/17/2011
Billy K - yes it was obvious…right about when he fumbled in the red zone.
4/17/2011
So a guy who goes out and competes against mostly third and fourth string defensive players and looks good is the new “it” guy. Jeez some of you so called fans are clueless. Martinez and Green went up against the first two deep. Did you really expect them to put up stellar numbers against the Blackshirts? They are still in the process of installing the offense while the defense is already established. How about we let the coaches coach and make the decisions. I’m pretty sure they know more about the inner workings of the program.
4/17/2011
His coaches and teammates didn’t do Martinez a lot of favors on Saturday. He had a much more scaled back offense. Carl Pelini threw a corner blitz at him (??) and Brandon Kinnie (his supposed go-to #1 guy) dropped three very catchable balls.
Now, the interception was a poor choice and should be graded accordingly. But, I still think the job is absolutely Martinez’s to lose.
Green’s fumble in the red zone - ouch. Gotta hold on to that ball, young man.
Carnes development makes me optimistic not because he may be the starter but because we all know how important quarterback depth can be. Nice to see another good option there.
Oh, and everybody loves the backup quarterback.
4/17/2011
Carnes played a scrimage game. Until he playa w the big boys he’s not better or tougher than martinez. Carnes played good but gta remember they we’re 3rd 4th stringers.
4/17/2011
I kno people are gonna right off carnes bc its the spring game but you should actually cheer n pray that carnes steps up…why u ask. Take a look last yr when the coaches decided that 50% tmart is a better option than green or zac lee…... why did u think tmagic was sooo cocky he knew greeen n lee wouldn’t see playing time if he was still able to go(which he wasn’t).
Second tmart injury is far far far worse than the coaches are saying.high ankle sprain takes awhile but u keep pushing the repair time by playing on it. Tmart isn’t a shaker like turner/carnes he’s a flat line north south sprinter but he still makes quick cuts. I haven’t seen the spring game yet but it didn’t surprsie that green fumbled n struggled n that tmart was injuried n held back…we need carnes bc green won’t ever be the no1 option qb wise and this offense is tailored for carnes/turner/tmart…green is that backup u love but u don’t want him in in clutch situations…
4/18/2011
I still think the job is Martinez’s to lose—but he didn’t really help himself on the biggest stage of the spring, while Carnes did.
Yes, it is only ONE scrimmage—but it was the one on the biggest stage, with everyone watching. If that doesn’t count for SOMETHING, then why play the spring game, at all?
4/18/2011
You also have to remember that there has been like two other scrimmages that the team has had that the fans have not seen and taylor has done pretty good in those games. I really think that green will always be a backup to starter. Fumble on 5yd line my friend will not get you field time in the future. Like carnes alot but it is early and was vs lower level strings. So anh on any observation anyone wants to make. Its spring ball. Cant wait til fall and see all new faces push returing guys for playing time.
4/18/2011
I still have faith in Taylor M…when he’s healthy he’s a proven winner. If you recall he looked great in last year’s spring game. Lets not be so fickle. But of course I could become fickle if Carnes matches his performance when it counts.
4/18/2011
Carnes hasn’t proved ne thng othr than he’s decent w 3rd 4th stringers. U pep pry same pep that was calin out c green when tmac had bad game then realized c green is worse. Snap into reality. This whole article was pointles othr than that carnes had good scrimage. Being relatied to frazier is irelevant. He hasn’t proved nothing othr than he’ll pry b back up to tmac.
4/18/2011
-blake6-
I agree carnes did good but the hype he is getin is bogus. 3rd week of last year aloata pep had heisman hopes for martinez u pep gta get into reality. Being optimustic an being ib reality have a fine line. N when u pep thnk carnes is betr than tmac u crosed that ine.
Springfield, MO
4/19/2011
I just like the fact that Carnes will be there to push Martinez. Competition will help both of them get better. It also provides a viable backup to the starter. Also don’t forget about Bubba Starling we’ll keep our fingers crossed. Looks like we could have some interesting competitions going on. I also feel bad for Cody Spano the guy just can’t stay healthy.
4/20/2011
i think you have to look at how t-magic has not developed since the last season. he still throws off his back foot, will throw back across his body trying to make a play, does not “feel” the backside c_blitz to avoid it and no matter what pc comments come from the team he is not a leader to this point. mentally he is not a qb i trust to lead this team. talent wise he is amazing
4/23/2011
Well Rick it’s a good thing no one cares if you trust him or not. I’m glad that you don’t get paid to make decisions. So many of you fools were calling Martinez the second coming of Eric Crouch last year. The kid will be fine. He was a RS freshman last year. Give him time to learn the system and grow up a little.