Nebraska Football: 5 Questions Still Left Unanswered from the Spring Game

A handful of practices gave Nebraska the opportunity to install the most basic of new offensive principles under the guiding hand of offensive coordinator Tim Beck.

After a Red-White spring scrimmage that included several electrifying moments and made for some very interesting storylines heading into summer, there are a few things that Cornhusker fans are still wondering about.

Rex Burkhead is still going to start at running back and Jamal Turner will be somewhere on the field, but what other questions lingered after Memorial Stadium emptied for the last time until the fall?

1: Is Taylor Martinez Truly No. 1?

Sure, Bo Pelini said if the season started tomorrow that Taylor Martinez would be under center, but it doesn’t, and T-Magic’s stock might be ready to hit record lows.

At this time last year, Martinez could do no wrong.

His performance last Saturday (4-for-13 for 52 yards and one INT coupled with negative net rushing yardage) seemed to only underscore regression from the 2010 season.

Could this be the beginning of the end for Martinez’s starting days?

Brion Carnes certainly may have something to say about it, as the cousin of Nebraska great Tommie Frazier threw for 173 yards and two touchdowns along with accumulating 49 rushing yards.

Ron Kellogg III also played well, throwing for 124 yards.

Carnes put all other quarterbacks on the roster on notice.

He’s ready to take on all challengers.

2: What's Next for Cody Green?

Photo by Huskers.com

"Should I stay or should I go?"

A 1981 hit by British rock band The Clash may pose a question going through the mind of Nebraska quarterback Cody Green.

Green looked as uncomfortable as ever as he fumbled on running plays and threw passes well above the outstretched fingertips of his receivers.

What’s next for the Dayton, Texas native?

Fans have been suggesting a position switch to tight end for quite some time.

Then again, if Green wants to continue his signal-calling ways, he might bolt Lincoln sooner rather than later.

Climbing up the depth chart doesn’t look too promising, especially if dual-sport athlete Bubba Starling shows up this fall.

3: Who Are the Starting Wide Receivers?

After the Red-White Game, it’s clear that Jamal Turner needs to see the field as often as is humanly possible, but who else will be targets for Nebraska’s quarterbacks?

If last Saturday’s performance is any indication, then it’s up in the air, but there are a few receivers who might have the inside track.

Kenny Bell is a player that showed excellent hands by saving a Taylor Martinez heave that the quarterback threw across his body and off of his back foot.

Brandon Kinnie showed excellent speed on his returns, much like Turner.

Fellow former Fort Scott Community College Greyhound Stanley Jean-Baptiste shares Kinnie's size and brings softer hands.

This is one position battle that will go down to the wire and may go deep into the 2011 season.

4: Who Will Replace Alex Henery?

Photo by Huskers.com

Good question.

Brett Maher had a solid performance during the spring scrimmage, converting four field goals out of five attempted with a long of 39 yards.

He also averaged 64.5 yards per kickoff and 49.3 yards punting with a long of 56, placing the ball inside the 20-yard line once.

Right now, the job looks like his for the taking, but he can’t rest on his laurels, as recruit Mauro Bondi will be coming in to challenge immediately, carrying an impressive resume.

5: What Will Nebraska's Offense Look Like in 2011?

Absolutely nothing like what the 66,784 fans in attendance saw last Saturday.

The Red-White spring game is an exhibition for fans and gives the opportunity to see individual athletes show both strengths and weaknesses, but don’t be fooled, that was no true offense.

There were some base packages, but overall, the offense featured was as vanilla as the ice cream in the University of Nebraska Dairy Store.

Tim Beck won’t officially unveil every bullet in his chamber until most likely October 1, when the Cornhuskers take on Wisconsin in Madison.

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